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From June 2024, an ‘opportunity card,’ will be introduced by the Government of Germany to allow skilled job seekers to stay in Germany and look for work. The Opportunity Card makes it easier for candidates to get a job in Germany.

Opportunity cards are issued for a maximum of one year, provided that the holder can support themselves for that period. It allows the holder to do work trials or take up secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their stay in Germany.

The Opportunity Card makes it easier for candidates to get jobs in Germany. It allows applicants to work in Germany without undergoing a long recognition process. A minimum of two years of vocational training or a university degree is required, as well as proficiency in German (A1) or English (B2).

Applicants who apply for the opportunity card do not have to show proof of a permanent employment contract. The Opportunity card is based on the Point System and you only need 6 Points to qualify. These 6 points will cover your basic education such as Degree, age, and experience (if you have one). The applications for the Opportunity Card started from 1st June 2024 officially.

Duration and Conditions:

• Validity Period: The Opportunity Card is issued for a maximum duration of one year, providing individuals with ample time to explore employment opportunities and settle into their new roles.
• Financial Self-Support: Holders of the Opportunity Card must demonstrate the ability to support themselves financially throughout the card’s validity period. This requirement ensures that individuals can sustain themselves while actively seeking employment opportunities.
• Work Trials and Secondary Employment: Cardholders are permitted to engage in work trials or secondary employment for up to 20 hours per week. This flexibility allows individuals to gain practical experience, supplement their income, or explore different career paths during their job search.
• Extension Possibility: In the event that eligible employment is secured within the initial one-year period, holders of the Opportunity Card may be eligible for an extension of up to two additional years. This extension provides individuals with the opportunity to continue their employment journey in Germany and further contribute to the local workforce.

🔢 Points Distribution System for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

You have to score at least six points from the criteria listed below to qualify for an Opportunity Card:

• 📌 Points Criteria:
• Educational Qualification 🎓
  • Recognized Degree in Germany → 6 Points
  • Partially Recognized Foreign Degree → 4 Points
  • Vocational Training (at least 2 years) → 3 Points
• Work Experience 💼
  • More than 5 years in relevant field → 3 Points
  • 2 to 5 years in relevant field → 2 Points
• Language Skills 🗣️
  • B2 level or higher in German → 3 Points
  • B1 level in German → 2 Points
  • A2 level in German → 1 Point
  • English Proficiency (C1 level or higher) → 1 Point
• Age Factor 🎂
  • Under 35 years old → 2 Points
  • Between 35 – 40 years → 1 Point
• Previous Stay in Germany 🇩🇪
  • Studied or worked in Germany for at least 6 months → 2 Points
  • Short-term stay (e.g., language course, internship) → 1 Point
• Spouse’s Qualification 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓
  • Spouse meets the qualification criteria → 1 Point

Job Seeker Visa vs Opportunity Card?

What Are the Required Documents for the Germany Opportunity Card?

To prove you meet the requirements for an Opportunity Card, you have to submit the following documents:

• Valid passport. Your passport must have been issued within the past ten years, be valid for at least three months at the planned time of entry, and have two blank pages.
• Evidence of your residence:
  • Official certificate of residence or registration,
  • An official extract from the residence register, or
  • An identity document
• Proof of completed vocational training:
  • Vocational school certificate, or
  • Technical college certificate
• Proof of financial solvency. You have to provide proof that you can sustain yourself financially while looking for work in Germany. You can provide proof in one of the following ways:
  • Confirmation Document for a Blocked Bank Account with €1,027 available per month. You can easily open a blocked account with Expatrio.
  • Declaration of Commitment “Verpflichtungserklärungen”.
  • Signed employment contract with a German employer for a part-time job (that you applied for before you applied for the Opportunity Card).
• Proof of valid health insurance. You need valid health insurance while living in Germany; you can also obtain this after entering. When you apply for the visa, however, you will likely need to submit a Schengen travel insurance.
• A written notice of recognition from the competent German authority if you have completed your training outside Germany. Find the authority responsible for recognition here.
• Residence permit in the country of application, if you are not a national of the country in which you are staying.
• Proof of German language skills. You have to submit an official language certificate confirming that your command of German is at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Proof of English language skills. You have to submit an official language certificate confirming that your command of English is at least C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Proof of recent job/vocational training place search in Germany:
  • Email correspondence
  • Job offers
  • Agency enquiries
• Proof of your relationship with your partner (if they are applying as well):
  • A marriage certificate
  • Civil partnership certificate
  • Extract from the marriage or civil status register

NOTE: Your documents have to be in English or German; if they are not, you have to translate them and submit the notarized translations as well.

How to Apply for the Germany Opportunity Card?

You can apply for the German Opportunity Card online or in-person at a German embassy or consulate. Check whether you can apply online or in person on the website of the German Foreigner’s Office.

Steps to Apply for the Opportunity Card Online

If you can apply for the Opportunity Card online, you will have to:

1. Register an account on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. You need an email and a phone number for the two-factor authentication (or alternatively, two different emails).
2. Add up your points to see whether you meet the requirements. If you score at least 6 points, you can move on to the application process.
3. Fill out the electronic visa application form. You have to fill out the application form with the required information (personal details, contact information, ID papers, travel data, references, and means of supporting your stay).
4. Attach electronic copies of the required documents. The required documents will be listed in detail on the portal. You have to attach electronic copies of the documents (PDF, JPG or PNG format and no larger than 10 MB).
5. Present yourself at the German embassy or consulate. Even though you submit the majority of your application online, you still need to appear at your nearest German mission to pay the required fees and submit your biometric information.

Steps to Apply for the Opportunity Card in Person

If the online application is not available to you, you have to make an appointment with the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence and submit your application in-person. You will have to:

1. Set up an appointment with the German embassy or consulate.
2. Complete the application form online.
3. Collect all the required documents (as listed below).
4. Attend your appointment, where you will:
   • Present your documents
   • Enter a short interview
   • Pay the visa fee
   • Provide your biometric information (fingerprints and biometric photo)

How Much Does the Opportunity Card Application Cost?

The fee for a German Opportunity Card is €75, which you have to pay in local currency, at the applicable conversion rate. The method of payment will depend on the German embassy or consulate.

What Is the Processing Time for an Opportunity Card?

Your application for an Opportunity Card may take several weeks (or at the most, six months) to process. The German embassy or consulate will notify you once your application is processed.

What to Do After I Obtain the Opportunity Card?

After you enter Germany with an Opportunity Card, you have to:

• Schedule an appointment at the Residents’ Registration Office (Bürgeramt) to register your residence.
• Start looking and applying for jobs. In the meantime, you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week or up to two weeks in trial work periods.
• If you find a job: Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment to continue working and living in Germany long-term.

For How Long Is the Opportunity Card Valid?

You can stay for 12 months in Germany with an Opportunity Card to look for a job.

Can I Extend My Stay?

If you did not find a job within the year, in most cases, you cannot extend your Opportunity Card. You must leave, and you can reapply after a year has passed.

Can I Take My Family With Me?

The Germany Opportunity Card doesn’t grant you the opportunity to take your family with you. However, if your spouse applies on their own, you can take your children with you.

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