GermanyWork

Germany Opportunity Card (job seeker visa)

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, §§ 20a and 20b AufenthG)

In short

The Opportunity Card lets qualified people look for work in Germany for up to one year without a job offer. Fully recognised skilled workers qualify directly; others need a state-recognised degree or two-year vocational qualification, A1 German or B2 English, and at least 6 points. You must show EUR 1,091 a month (EUR 13,092 for a year) in 2026.

Apply on Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to one year; a follow-up Opportunity Card of up to two years is possible for a qualified job that does not yet meet another permit.
Fee
€75National visa fee.
Funds required
€1,091 per monthOwn funds required in 2026, i.e. EUR 13,092 for the usual 12 months, normally in a blocked account; a formal obligation letter or a part-time job contract can also count.
Processing time
Applications are filed online on the Consular Services Portal; after the online check you are invited to an appointment. Waiting times depend on the mission.
Work
Part-time work up to 20 hours a week and trial work of up to two weeks per employer.
Family
No family reunification on the Opportunity Card itself; a spouse can apply for their own card (and adds one point to the joint application).
Path to permanent residence
No direct path; once you find a qualifying job you switch to a skilled-worker permit or Blue Card inside Germany.
Where to apply
Online via the Consular Services Portal, followed by an appointment at the mission responsible for your place of residence or its service provider.

How points are awarded

Under the points table annexed to the Residence Act: partial recognition of your qualification 4 points; German B2 or higher 3, B1 2, A2 1; English C1 1; at least five years of relevant experience in the last seven years 3, or two years in the last five 2; a qualification in a shortage occupation 1; age up to 35 2, 36–40 1; a lawful stay of at least six months in Germany in the last five years 1 (Schengen visits do not count); a spouse who also qualifies and applies with you 1.

Two ways to qualify

If your foreign degree or vocational qualification is fully recognised in Germany, or you hold a German qualification, you are a skilled worker and receive the card without points. Everyone else needs a foreign university degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years, state-recognised where obtained, or a vocational certificate from a German chamber of commerce abroad, plus A1 German or B2 English, and then at least 6 points.

Documents

Missions ask for a motivation letter explaining which jobs you seek, where you will apply and live; a tabular CV; proof of qualification (anabin printout, ZAB statement or recognition decision); language certificates from ALTE-certified providers or TOEFL; proof of experience and any prior stay in Germany; and private health insurance without a coverage cap, valid for the whole card period, at the latest when collecting the visa.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport with at least two blank pages, signed, plus copy of the data page
  • National visa application (Consular Services Portal) and Section 54 declaration
  • Biometric photo, 35 × 45 mm

Money

  • Blocked account opening confirmation for EUR 13,092 showing the monthly amount, or formal obligation letter

Study

  • Degree or vocational certificate with anabin printout, ZAB certificate or (partial) recognition decision
  • German A1 certificate and/or English B2 certificate (ALTE member or TOEFL)

Insurance

  • Private health insurance for the whole validity, without a coverage cap

Other

  • CV in table form covering your career
  • Motivation letter: target jobs, where you will apply and stay, planned recognition steps

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Work

  • Employer references for points on experience

Proof of funds

You need EUR 1,091 a month in 2026, which is EUR 13,092 for the standard twelve-month card. Missions accept only the bank's official opening confirmation of a blocked account showing the total deposited and the monthly amount. Alternatively, a formal obligation letter or a contract for permitted part-time work can be used.

What you may do in Germany

You may work part-time up to 20 hours a week, do trial work of up to two weeks with each potential employer and look for recognition measures. When you find a job, apply to the foreigners authority for the matching permit. If the job is qualified but does not yet meet the conditions of another permit, a follow-up Opportunity Card for up to two years can be granted.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Use the official self-check on Make it in Germany to estimate your points, and obtain the anabin printout or ZAB statement for your qualification.
  2. Open a blocked account for EUR 13,092 (or arrange a formal obligation letter) and get a German or English language certificate.
  3. File the application online on the Consular Services Portal and upload all documents.
  4. After the pre-check, book the appointment you are invited to, attend with originals and pay EUR 75.
  5. After entry, register your address and look for work; apply for the matching residence permit once you sign a contract.

Frequently asked questions

How many points do I need?

At least 6, unless your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, in which case no points are needed.

How much must be in the blocked account?

EUR 13,092 for twelve months in 2026 (EUR 1,091 a month).

Can I work with the Opportunity Card?

Yes, up to 20 hours a week, plus trial work of up to two weeks per employer.

Does English count?

Yes. B2 English satisfies the basic language condition, and C1 English earns one extra point.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Germany

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: The visa is usually issued for several months; the residence permit in Germany is normally granted for two years at a time, at least one year, and renewed while studies progress.
  • Language course visa Validity: For the length of the course.
  • Researcher visa Validity: At least one year, or the length of the research project if shorter.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to six months for the EU internship permit
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Six to twelve months

Work

  • Work visa Processing time: Appointment waiting times depend on the mission; after submission the Federal Employment Agency approval adds a few weeks. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure shortens this.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the employment contract plus three months if shorter.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the contract plus three months.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the transfer, at most three years (one year for trainees).
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months, once

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Visa for entry; the residence permit is then issued in line with the sponsor's permit.
  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Same appointment system and waiting times as other family reunification visas at the mission responsible for you.

Residence

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Recognition authority: decision within two months; Federal Employment Agency: one week; mission: appointment within three weeks and decision usually within three weeks of a complete application.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Regular procedure: six months from the application; accelerated procedure: at most three months; border procedure: at most twelve weeks.

Germany visa guide