Last updated: 5 October 2026. Reading time: about 14 minutes. Complexity: medium.
Quick summary- 🎯 What it is: A residence permit under section 20a of the Residence Act, in force since 1 June 2024. It lets you enter Germany to look for a qualified job without a job offer.
- 👤 Who can apply: Citizens of countries outside the EU and EFTA with a recognised qualification.
- 🧮 Two routes: A qualification fully recognised in Germany (no points), or the points route: six points, a state-recognised qualification, and German A1 or English B2.
- 💶 Money: You must show €1,091 net per month of planned stay (2026 amount). For twelve months that is €13,092.
- 💼 Work rights: Any job up to 20 hours per week, plus trial jobs of up to two weeks per employer. Full-time work needs a different permit.
- 🔄 After you find a job: Apply at the local foreigners' office for a Blue Card, skilled worker permit or similar.
- ⚠️ Biggest trap: English at B2 level earns no points. Only German at A2 or higher and English at C1 count.
Table of contents
- What Is the Chancenkarte and Who Is It For?
- The Points System: How Qualification Works
- Requirements Breakdown (Qualifications, Language, Experience)
- How It Differs From the EU Blue Card and Other Visa Types
- Application Process Step by Step
- What You Can (and Cannot) Do on the Chancenkarte
- Converting to a Work Permit After Finding a Job
- Is the Chancenkarte Right for You? (Decision Guide)
- FAQ: Most Common Chancenkarte Questions
Without a special permit, the usual route for non-EU professionals is to find a job in Germany from abroad first. The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) removes that requirement. You can look for work on site for up to twelve months.
The card has conditions. You must qualify through a recognised qualification or the points system, prove your own funds, and accept a limit of 20 working hours per week. The rules sit across the law, the Federal Foreign Office and the Make it in Germany portal, which use different wording. This guide combines them: who qualifies, how points work, which documents you need, how to apply, and what to do once you find a job.
What Is the Chancenkarte and Who Is It For?
What the card is
The Chancenkarte is a residence permit under section 20a of the Residence Act. It has been available since 1 June 2024. It allows you to search for a qualified job in Germany or for a measure that gets your foreign qualification recognised.
The first card is called the search card (Such-Chancenkarte). It is issued for up to twelve months. A job offer is not required to apply.
Two routes to the card
Route 1: Recognised qualification
Your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, or you earned it there. You count as a skilled worker. You need no points and no language certificate. You must still prove your living costs.
Route 2: Points system
Your qualification is not fully recognised in Germany. You need a degree or a two-year vocational qualification that your home country recognises, German at A1 or English at B2, at least six points, and proof of living costs.
Who does not need it, or should use another route
- Citizens of EU and EFTA countries. The Chancenkarte is for citizens of countries outside the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
- People with a qualified job offer. Apply directly for a work permit or Blue Card. The Make it in Germany portal states that the Chancenkarte is not a condition for coming to Germany.
- Graduates and trainees from Germany. A separate job-search permit gives you 18 months and unrestricted work. See the decision guide below.
The Points System: How Qualification Works
The points system applies only to Route 2. You need at least six points. The criteria are set out in section 20b of the Residence Act and explained on the Make it in Germany portal.
German language points do not add up. Only your highest level counts. The same applies to work experience.
Combinations that reach six points
- Partial recognition (4) plus age up to 35 (2) = 6
- German B2 (3) plus age up to 35 (2) plus previous stay in Germany (1) = 6
- Five years of experience (3) plus German B1 (2) plus shortage occupation (1) = 6
Verified immigration lawyers and visa specialists with English support, searchable by city.
Browse immigration and visa help →
Requirements Breakdown (Qualifications, Language, Experience)
Qualification
The proof depends on your route and on the type of qualification.
- Foreign degree: A positive result in the anabin database for both your degree and your university. Without a positive result, you need a paid certificate assessment from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
- Foreign vocational qualification: A paid Digital Information on Vocational Qualification from the Central Office for Foreign Education. It confirms that you completed the training, that your home country recognises it, and that it lasted at least two years full-time.
- German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) certificate: A category A certificate can work if it meets the German requirements for vocational training. Ask the chamber that issued it.
- Route 1 (skilled worker): A German degree or vocational qualification, or a recognition notice from the responsible German authority. Start with Recognition in Germany.
- Partial recognition notice: If you already hold one, you do not need an extra certificate from the Central Office for Foreign Education.
Language
- Route 1: No language certificate is required. German is still recommended for the job search.
- Route 2: You need German at A1 or English at B2. Higher German levels and English at C1 earn points.
- Accepted certificates: Providers certified by the Association of Language Testers in Europe, such as the Goethe-Institut for German, or IELTS and TOEFL for English. Normally not older than twelve months. If you retook modules, the date of your oldest passed module counts.
- Native speakers: The Make it in Germany questions page states that you still need a certificate, at B2 or higher, even if English is your mother tongue.
- No German at all: Your motivation letter must explain why German is not needed for the job you are looking for.
If you want to raise your German level before applying, Babbel offers online German lessons you can start from home. You can also browse German courses taught in English. Check that the certificate you need comes from an accepted test provider, because lessons alone do not count as proof.
Work experience
Experience earns points only if it relates to your qualification and was gained after you completed it. The portal accepts:
- Employer references that describe your tasks and responsibilities
- A curriculum vitae that shows dates, type of employment and exact duties
- Reference letters from former employers
Documents must be in German or English, or translated.
Proof of living costs
The Federal Foreign Office requires €1,091 per month for each applicant (2026 amount). The amount is adjusted every year. The minimum validity of the card is 91 days, which means €3,309. For twelve months you need €13,092.
You can show the funds in three ways:
- Blocked account: Open it before you apply. The mission accepts only the bank's official confirmation that states the total deposited and the monthly amount you can withdraw. A transfer receipt alone is not enough.
- Part-time job: A contract or binding offer for up to 20 hours per week. If net pay reaches €1,091 per month, it covers the requirement. A blocked account can cover any difference.
- Declaration of commitment: A person living in Germany with proven solvency guarantees your costs. They request it in person at their local foreigners' office.
Health insurance
You must show incoming health insurance that covers the full validity of the card. The confirmation should name your travel period and state that it meets visa requirements. Feather offers insurance for newcomers to Germany. Compare its confirmation wording with your mission's requirements before you buy. For long-term cover, read the guides on German health insurance and public versus private insurance.
Document checklist
- Valid passport with a copy of the photo page, the signed application form, and two identical biometric photos (the number can differ by mission)
- Curriculum vitae without gaps, in German or English
- Motivation letter in German or English: which fields and jobs you target, where in Germany you will stay, how you will pay for accommodation, and which recognition measures you plan
- Proof of qualification, language certificate, proof of living costs and incoming health insurance confirmation
- Evidence for your points: work references, proof of earlier stays in Germany (rental contracts, employment contracts, old passports with visas and entry stamps), partner's application if you claim the partner point
- Optional: proof of job-search preparation, such as applications or interview invitations
- Visa fee of €75 (check your mission for the payment method and currency)
Documents in other languages need a recognised German or English translation. The mission can request more documents, so read your mission's page before you apply.
Home country or Germany: Qualification certificates, work references, the language test and photos come from your home country. The blocked account confirmation, recognition notices and a host's declaration of commitment come from Germany or online.
Costs at a glance
- Visa fee: €75
- Certified translations: about €20 to €50 per document
- Assessments from the Central Office for Foreign Education: paid, amount set by the provider
- Blocked account: setup and monthly fees differ by provider, so compare them
- Health insurance premiums and language test fees
The official guidance reviewed for this guide describes no fee waiver. Ask your mission whether a reduction applies to your nationality.
Banks, blocked accounts and money transfers with English support for newcomers to Germany.
Browse banks and blocked accounts →
How It Differs From the EU Blue Card and Other Visa Types
The Chancenkarte is a search permit. The EU Blue Card is a work permit. You use the first when you have no job yet and the second when you have a qualifying offer.
Other routes to compare
- Skilled worker permit: For a job offer in your field when salary or qualification does not meet the Blue Card rules. It needs a recognised qualification or sufficient experience.
- Job-search permit for graduates (section 20): For people who finished a degree, training or recognition measure in Germany. It lasts 18 months and allows unrestricted work.
For the full picture of visa types, fees and documents, read the guide on visas and residence permits in Germany.
Application Process Step by Step
You apply for the visa online through the Federal Foreign Office portal. The embassy in Nairobi states that paper applications at the embassy are not possible. In some countries the online route is not active yet. In that case contact the German mission responsible for you.
Check your route and score.
Use the Self-Check on the Make it in Germany portal. It runs online.
Prove your qualification.
Request the anabin check, certificate assessment or vocational information. Start here, because it can take the longest.
Take a language test if you need one.
Book a certified test. The result must be at most twelve months old on the day you apply.
Secure your living costs.
Open the blocked account, or arrange a part-time job contract or a declaration of commitment. Do this before you apply.
Buy incoming health insurance.
Make sure the confirmation covers the full period of the card.
Submit the online application.
Fill in the form and upload your documents. The mission checks completeness and clears open questions through the portal.
Attend your appointment.
After your documents are checked, the portal sends an invitation link to book. The mission verifies your identity, takes fingerprints and a photo, collects the fee and asks for requested originals. You must attend in person.
Wait for the decision.
The embassy in Nairobi lists about two months as normal processing time, and longer in some cases. Other missions publish their own times. That embassy also states that it cannot answer status requests during normal processing.
Travel and register.
The card is issued as a visa for up to one year. After arrival, register your address. See the Anmeldung guide.
If you already live in Germany
If you hold a valid residence permit for study, training or work, for example after losing your job, contact the local foreigners' office. You can receive the card for up to one year if you meet the requirements and your living costs are secured. Find your office through the BAMF-NaVi directory.
Applying without German
You can apply without German. The mission accepts documents in English, and German or English translations for other languages. The Make it in Germany portal publishes the rules in English. The German version is the binding text if the two differ. Keep a copy of every document you upload.
Common mistakes
- Counting English B2 as points. It is a basic requirement and earns none.
- Submitting a blocked account document without the total and monthly amounts.
- Using a language certificate older than twelve months, or skipping it as a native English speaker.
- Sending an incomplete application. The Federal Foreign Office states that this delays processing and can lead to rejection.
- Entering Germany on a short stay and expecting to switch to the card.
What You Can (and Cannot) Do on the Chancenkarte
What you can do
- Search for a qualified job. A qualified job needs skills that usually come from a degree or qualified vocational training.
- Search for a recognition measure. If your qualification is only partly recognised, you can look for training that closes the gap.
- Work a side job. One or several jobs, up to 20 hours per week in total, in any field.
- Do trial work. Up to two weeks per employer. The trial must aim at a qualified job, a training place or a recognition measure.
- Bring family in specific cases. A spouse or registered partner can come if they also qualify and apply. Children can join if you can pay for their living costs.
What you cannot do
- Work full-time in a regular job. You need a different permit for that. See the next section.
- Bring a spouse without their own card. The portal states this is not possible because of the card's limited duration. Spouse reunification becomes possible once you hold a work permit.
- Extend the search card beyond twelve months. The only extension is the follow-up card, and only with a concrete qualified job.
- Apply again straight away. A new search card is possible only after you have spent at least as long abroad, or lawfully in Germany, as on the previous card.
Making the search count
The card gives you time, not a guaranteed result. Plan your search before you arrive. Read English-speaking jobs in Germany, the list of job boards, apps and employers, or work with English-speaking recruiters and career coaches.
Converting to a Work Permit After Finding a Job
When you find a job, you apply for the matching permit at the local foreigners' office. You do not need to leave Germany.
Get the job or contract offer.
The job must be a qualified job. Helper jobs do not count, and temporary agency work is generally excluded. Social security contributions must be paid in Germany.
Ask the employer for the employment declaration.
The employer fills in and signs the Declaration on the employment relationship from the Federal Employment Agency. The contract does not need to be signed by both sides yet.
Apply at the foreigners' office.
Apply for a permit such as the EU Blue Card, a skilled worker permit, a permit for experienced professionals, or a recognition partnership. The office asks the Federal Employment Agency for approval.
Check the Blue Card salary rule.
The 2026 thresholds are €50,700 gross per year, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations, recent graduates and qualifying information technology specialists. Requirements, documents and steps are in our EU Blue Card guide.
The follow-up card
If the job is qualified but you do not meet the requirements for another work permit, the foreigners' office can extend your card as a follow-up card (Folge-Chancenkarte) for up to two years. You need an employment contract or binding offer for a qualified job and approval from the Federal Employment Agency. The law allows only this one extension of the card.
What happens next
- Health insurance: Employees are insured through the employer. See the health insurance guide.
- Tax ID: You receive it by post after registration. See the tax ID guide.
- Housing and banking: Read German rental contracts, SCHUFA for foreigners and the guide to banks for expats.
- All first steps: Follow the first 30 days checklist.
City differences
The foreigners' office responsible for you depends on your address. Appointment availability varies by city, and Berlin has well-documented waiting times of several months. Book as soon as you have a job offer. For personal advice, use these English-speaking immigration lawyers and visa help pages:
- Immigration lawyers and visa help in Berlin
- Immigration lawyers and visa help in Munich
- Immigration lawyers and visa help in Hamburg
- Immigration lawyers and visa help in Frankfurt
- Immigration lawyers and visa help online
Is the Chancenkarte Right for You? (Decision Guide)
The card fits you if:
You have no job offer yet, your qualification is recognised or you reach six points, you can show €1,091 net per month, and you want to search on site.
You already have a qualified job offer:
Apply directly for a Blue Card or skilled worker permit. A job offer of up to 20 hours per week can still help as proof of funds on the card.
You finished a degree or training in Germany:
Use the section 20 job-search permit. It gives 18 months and unrestricted work, compared with 12 months and a 20-hour limit on the card.
You are below six points:
Check which criteria you can still improve: partial recognition (4), a German course (up to 3), or a qualifying partner (1).
You plan to move with family:
A spouse can travel with you only if they qualify for the card too. Children can join if you can cover their costs.
Recruiters and career coaches who work with English-speaking job seekers, with English support.
Browse recruiters and career coaches →
FAQ: Most Common Chancenkarte Questions
Can I apply before I arrive in Germany?
Yes. Most applicants apply from abroad through the Federal Foreign Office portal. People who already hold a residence permit in Germany apply at the foreigners' office.
Can someone else apply for me?
No. The mission takes your fingerprints and photo and checks your identity, so you must attend the appointment. A person in Germany can only issue a declaration of commitment for your living costs.
How many points do I need?
Six points, on the points route. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you need no points.
Do I need German?
Not on Route 1. On Route 2 you need German at A1 or English at B2. German at A2 or higher, and English at C1, earn points.
How long is the card valid?
Up to twelve months. It is shorter if you prove funds for a shorter period, and can then be extended to twelve months in total.
Can my partner and children come?
A spouse or registered partner can come only if they also meet the requirements and apply. Children can join under conditions, mainly proof that you can cover their costs.
Is there a limit on the number of cards?
The law allows the federal government to cap the number of cards for people outside Germany. The official sources reviewed show no cap. Check the current rules before you apply.
What if I made a mistake in my application?
The mission checks your documents online and clears open questions through the portal. Incomplete applications delay processing and can lead to rejection, so check every upload first.
What if I am an EU citizen?
You do not need the card. EU and EFTA citizens can move to Germany to look for work.
What is your next step?
Run the official Self-Check first. If your score is close to six points or your documents are unclear, talk to a specialist before you pay for certificates and a blocked account. FindEnglish lists English-speaking immigration lawyers and visa help and English-speaking banks.
- Make it in Germany: Opportunity Card for job search (German original updated 30 September 2026)
- Make it in Germany: Questions and answers on the Opportunity Card (German original updated 29 September 2026)
- Federal Foreign Office: online application for the Opportunity Card
- Residence Act, section 20a and section 20b
Fees, the monthly funds amount, processing times and document lists change and vary by mission. Confirm them with the official sources before you apply.
