Opportunity Card
Enter Germany without a job offer. Search for employment for up to 12 months using the points-based Chancenkarte — your direct pathway to working in Europe’s largest economy.
12 Mo
Job Search Period
6 Pts
Minimum Required
€75
Application Fee
1.6M
Job Vacancies
The Chancenkarte offers two distinct eligibility pathways. You only need to qualify through one of them.
Full Qualification Recognition
If your university and degree are fully recognised in Germany, you qualify directly without additional language or work experience requirements.
- University recognised in Germany
- Degree evaluated as equivalent to a German qualification
- Sufficient financial resources (min. €1,091/month via blocked account or sponsorship letter)
- Valid medical health insurance covering full stay
Points-Based Pathway
Full recognition of your qualification is not mandatory. You may qualify through the points-based system by meeting basic requirements plus earning enough points.
- Recognised professional qualification (university degree, 2+ year vocational, or German Chamber abroad)
- German A1 level or English B2 level minimum
- Sufficient financial means for your stay
- Minimum 6 points from the points assessment (max 14)
Points Assessment
Points are awarded across four main categories. The maximum achievable score is 14 points, and a minimum of 6 points is required to be eligible for the Opportunity Card.
14
Max Points
6
Min Required
Points Categories
🎓 Qualification & Work Experience
Up to 4+1
🗣️ Language Proficiency
Up to 3+1
🎂 Age
Up to 2
🇩🇪 Ties to Germany
Up to 1+1
Diplomas and qualifications that are partially recognised in Germany
At least 5 years of relevant work experience within the past 7 years in your qualified field
At least 2 years of relevant work experience within the past 5 years in your qualified field
➕ +1 additional point for vocational training in Germany's shortage (bottleneck) occupations
German language level B2 and above
German language level B1
German language level A1–A2
➕ +1 additional point for English language level C1 and above
Under 35 years of age
Between 35 and 40 years of age
Previous stays in Germany of minimum 6 months in the past 5 years
💍 +1 point if your spouse is also eligible and applying for the Chancenkarte
The Chancenkarte is issued as a residence visa that lets you live and work part-time in Germany while you search for full-time employment.
Processing times vary by application location. Apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
Application Fee
The embassy application fee is payable when you submit your visa application and is non-refundable, even if your application is declined.
Embassy Visa Fee
€75
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
~45 days
🇦🇪 UAE
4–6 months
🇵🇰 Pakistan (Karachi)
~4 months
🇵🇰 Pakistan (Islamabad)
Up to 12 months
⚠️ Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of their intended travel date. Always verify the current processing time specific to your home country through official sources.
Job Market
Germany has a strong and growing demand for international talent across multiple industries. The Opportunity Card opens the door to one of Europe’s most stable economies.
~1.6M
Open positions across Germany right now
Manufacturing & Distribution Managers
ICT Service Managers
Professional Services Managers
Veterinarians
Dentists
Pharmacists
Nursing & Midwifery Professionals
School & Out-of-School Teachers
IT Professionals
Healthcare Workers
Engineering Specialists
Skilled Trades
Secure your future in the world’s happiest country; simply choose your degree, and we’ll pave the way.
No. The €75 embassy application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application. This is why it’s important to ensure your application is thorough and complete before submission.
You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your job search in Germany. This can be shown through a blocked bank account with a minimum of €1,091 net per month (2026 rate), or a formal declaration of commitment / sponsorship letter from a German citizen or resident.
Yes. The points-based pathway (Path 2) was specifically introduced so that full recognition is not mandatory. If your qualification is partially recognised, you can still earn up to 4 points in that category. You just need to meet the basic eligibility requirements and achieve at least 6 points overall.
Yes. Successfully finding employment on the Chancenkarte and subsequently obtaining a work-based residence permit can place you on the pathway to permanent residency and a long-term work permit in Germany.