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. General information for the opportunity card is available on Make-it-in-Germany

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 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 least German language proficiency level A1 (CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or at least 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

You have two options to apply for the Opportunity Card:

Option 1: Apply for a visa online (submit the documents online first before an appointment)

You can easily apply for your visa online via the foreign portal of the Federal Foreign Office. You can view the status of your application online at any time. Apply online now.

Option 2: Apply in person and submit documents in paper form (no pre-evaluation)

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.