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D-Visas: Chancenkarte (“Opportunity Card”)
Working Holiday Visa, © GKSP/Canva.com
The Chancenkarte is aimed at Non-EU nationals who hold an academic degree or a professional qualification. It will enable holders to remain in Germany for a period of 12 months in order to find appropriate employment or to pursue additional qualifications with a view to finding employment.
General information
A Chancenkarte (opportunity card) is issued initially for a maximum of one year. The opportunity card enables you to look for gainful employment in Germany, i.e. you can seek employment or become self-employed. While you are looking for gainful employment, you are permitted to have one or more part-time jobs totalling 20 hours a week. You may also take part in job trials for a maximum of two weeks per employer as part of your job search. The goal of the job trial must be either to obtain qualified employment, an apprenticeship or a qualification programme.
The opportunity card provides two pathways to seeking a job in Germany:
(i) On the skilled professional’s pathway, you must have a foreign professional or academic qualification that is fully recognised in Germany.
To be eligible for the skilled professional’s pathway
- You must hold a German academic degree or a comparable foreign academic degree. Please refer to in the official ANABIN database whether both your degree and the awarding academic institution are listed as comparable. If either is not listed you need to obtain a “Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications” issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
or
- You must have undergone professional training in Germany or overseas. Any professional qualification obtained overseas must have been fully recognised by the competent body in Germany. To find out more about having your qualification recognised please refer to this database.
(ii) Should you not be eligible via the skilled professional’s pathway the points-based pathway provides another option for obtaining an opportunity card.
To be eligible for the points-based pathway
- You must hold an academic degree that has taken a minimum of 2 years to complete and is fully recognised in the country where it has been awarded. Additionally, your degree must have been assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
or
- You must have undergone professional training that has taken a minimum of 2 years to complete and is fully recognised in the country where it has been awarded. Additionally, your qualification must have been assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
- If you completed a category A vocational education and training at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) that meets the requirements of the Vocational Training Act [BBiG], this qualification may also be suitable.
Additionally
- You must possess at minimum German language proficiency level A1 (CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or at minimum advanced English language proficiency level B2.
and
- You must score a minimum of 6 points in the points-based system. For additional information on the points-based system including a self-check, please click here.
How to apply for your visa
Please submit:
- 1 duly completed visa application form (please ensure that you sign the forms)
Online application form
The following documents in original and 1 photocopy (complete applications only):
- valid passport (at least 2 free pages, not older than 10 years
- employment pass/ dependent pass/ student pass (please bring along a printout of your current Singaporean residence permit validity (no QR-Code)).
- 1 recent passport photo conforming to biometric specifications (see sample photos)
- proof of health insurance (valid travel health insurance) for at least the first three months of your stay
- proof of accommodation
- proof of finance of your stay in Germany with a minimum of €1027/ month by:
- bank statements with sufficient funds
- a blocked account at a bank showing a minimum amount according to the duration of your intended stay (withdrawal limit of €1027/month). You have free choice of provider. Information on providers that offer this service worldwide is available on the Federal Foreign Office website: Information blocked account. OR
- a formal letter of obligation, according to paragraph §§66,68 of the Aliens Act, from a resident of Germany and for the duration of the applicant's stay in Germany
- motivation letter providing information on the planned course of action to secure a job (sector, region, intended places of residence, accommodation, etc.)
- curriculum vitae of professional career, specifying the certificates, diplomas, etc. you have obtained in your higher education
- German university degree or comparable foreign degree of higher education. Original of qualification: e.g. diplomas, certificates must be provided. You can inquire in the ANABIN databank, if your foreign degree of higher education is equivalent, OR
- German professional training or comparable foreign professional training. Original of qualification: e.g. diplomas, certificates must be provided. You can inquire here, if your foreign professional training is equivalent, OR
- statement of comparability for your foreign university degree or professional training. For more information on this refer to this website, OR
- for regulated professions (please refer to this website) a license to practice is required
- university degree or foreign degree of higher education of limited equivalency to German degrees. Original of qualification: e.g. diplomas, certificates must be provided. You can inquire in the ANABIN databank, if your foreign degree of higher education is equivalent or apply for a statement of comparability here., OR
- foreign professional training. Original of qualification: e.g. diplomas, certificates must be provided. Fully recognised in the country where it has been awarded, minimum of 2 years. Along with either a statements on vocational qualification or a partial recognition, OR
- certificate of dual vocational education and training abroad by the German Chamber of Commerce
- language proficiency
- proof of proof of basic German language proficiency – equivalent to at least level A1 of the European language norm, issued by ALTE-certified tester (Website ALTE)
OR - proof of basic English language proficiency – equivalent to at least level B2 of the European language norm, issued by ALTE-certified tester (Website ALTE)
- minimum of 6 points in the points-based system
- proof of proof of basic German language proficiency – equivalent to at least level A1 of the European language norm, issued by ALTE-certified tester (Website ALTE)
- If you wish to stay in Germany on a long-term basis (more 90 days) you are required to obtain a residence permit. This permit must be issued before you enter the country
- The permit will generally be issued for 90 days and needs to be extended after your arrival in Germany. Please contact the local authorities (“Einwohnermeldeamt/ Bürgerbüro”) to register and apply for (the extension of) the residence permit with the aliens’ authority (Ausländerbehörde)
- Processing of the application usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks subsequent to the submission of a complete set of documents. The residence permit can be issued only upon approval by the competent authorities in Germany. You will receive a prompt notification after completion of the processing. We ask that no status request is made during the required processing period
- Kindly note that you cannot apply for a residence permit in Germany and that a Schengen visa cannot be convert into any kind of “national visa”
- It is recommended that flight tickets are purchased after the visa has been granted.
- Please make sure not to staple the documents.
- This fact sheet is regularly updated but makes no claim to be complete. In support of the application additional documentation may be requested
Fees:
Visa fee German Embassy: €75 converted to SGD
Book your Appointment
Visa application and collection by appointment only. Book your appointment here.
Additional Information
The German missions overseas are unable to provide individual advice. For any additional information on the qualifications required, the recognition of qualifications etc. please contact the advisory service set up by the Federal Government; details are available here.
Further information on living and working in Germany is available here.