Chancenkarte | Your Ticket to a Successful Career in Germany!!
If you’re considering moving to Germany, now is the perfect time! Germany has recently introduced the Chancenkarte, or Opportunity Card, which makes it easier for those from non-EU countries to find a job in Germany.
Whether you’re an engineer, doctor, a teacher or professional in any other field, this could be your ticket to building a successful career in one of the world’s leading economic nations.
So in this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the Chancenkarte: Who is it for? What are the Requirements? And How to Apply for one?
Before we start, let’s have some context. Germany is facing a serious crisis.
The country’s population is getting older, which means more retired people and fewer workers. To put it in numbers, Germany is currently facing a shortage of around 1 million skilled workers. And this is expected to grow even further in the coming years. So to address this issue, the German government introduced the Skilled Immigration Act on June 23, 2023, to attract international talent and fill this shortage.
One of the key elements of this law is the Chancenkarte, or “Opportunity Card.” This is a 12-month visa specifically designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and make it easier for companies to hire international talent. But Germany already has the Job Seeker Visa, which allows non-EU nationals to enter Germany in search of a job. So what's now different with the Chancenkarte?
Why is it Different?
The Job Seeker Visa (JSV) only allowed individuals with an academic degree to come to Germany and search for a job and that too for just six months. While this was a significant step, with the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), things get even better. Now skilled workers, including those with vocational training, can get a visa to search for a job in Germany, and that too for a year. Here the focus is less on foreign qualifications and more on work experience and skills .
Another major difference between the Job Seeker Visa (JSV) and the Chancenkarte is that with the Chancenkarte, you also have the option to do part-time work. This is a valuable benefit, since it can be very expensive to live in Germany for a year, especially without a salary.
However, with the Chancenkarte, you can work up to 20 hours per week while searching for a full-time job. So it gets much easier to support yourself financially during your job search. But not everyone can get a Chancenkarte. You have to meet some specific requirements to qualify.
What are the requirements?
There are two ways to qualify for the Opportunity Card.
Option 1: Recognition as a Skilled Worker
The easiest way is if you are recognized as a skilled worker. This means you either hold a university degree or have completed at least two years of vocational training recognized in Germany. And to check the recognition, you can use the Anabin database.
Link to Anabin Database
The website is in German, so you may want to use a tool like Google Translate if you’re not fluent.
Go to the Institution page, select your country, and then enter your university name. Once you find your university, check the status.
• H+ means that your university is recognized.
• H- means the institution is not recognized.
• H+/- indicates partial recognition and further evaluation is needed.
Similarly, verify the recognition status of your degree in the same database. For that select the country, degree type, field of study and finally enter any specific term to search for it. Once you find your degree, click on it and check the status in the Evaluation section. If it is listed as „entspricht“, „gleichwertig“ or „corresponds“, your academic degree is comparable to a German university degree.
If your degree is not recognized, you can still apply for an evaluation through ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education).
Link to Apply
For that, first create an account on the ZAB website. Then apply for an evaluation by providing the necessary details and documents. ZAB will review them and you will receive a decision. The whole thing costs around €200, which you will need to cover yourself.
If your university degree or vocational training is recognized, congrats! You’re eligible for the Opportunity Card immediately, with no further steps. This was also the case with the Job Seeker Visa (JSV). However, the main difference with the Opportunity Card lies in the new pathway it opens—if your degree or training is not formally recognized in Germany.
Option 2: The Points System
This is a points-based system, similar to those already used in countries like Canada. With this system, applicants earn points based on several criteria, like their work experience, language skills, age, and others. Let’s look at each factor in detail.
Educational Qualification:
As we discussed earlier, if your degree is recognized in Germany, you can directly apply for the Opportunity Card without any further steps. However, if your education is partially recognized in Germany, for example, if it's marked as “H+/-” in the Anabin database, you still qualify under the points-based system. And in this case, you would receive 4 points for partial recognition.
Work Experience:
Along with your educational qualification, your work experience also plays a significant role in this new system. You can earn 3 points if you’ve worked in your field for at least 5 of the last 7 years or 2 points if you’ve worked for at least 2 of the last 5 years. Additionally, if your experience is in a high-demand profession like information technology, engineering, or healthcare, you’ll get an extra point.
Language:
Language skills are another critical factor in the points-based system. You will be awarded points based on your language proficiency level. You’ll earn 1 point for A2-level German, 2 points for B1-level, and 3 points for B2-level or higher. Additionally, if you’re fluent in English at the C1 level, you’ll receive an extra point.
Age:
The new system focuses on attracting younger talent to fill long-term labor gaps. So age is prioritized, with younger candidates receiving higher points. If you’re under 35 years old, you’ll earn 2 points, those aged between 35 and 40 earn 1 point. But, if you are over 40, then no luck with points here.
There are also other ways to earn points:
For example, you can get 1 point if you apply with your spouse, or if you have previously spent at least six months in Germany for studies, internships, or legal employment.
The maximum score possible is 14 points, but you only need 6 points to qualify. Scoring higher, like 10 or 14, doesn’t improve your chances. As long as you meet the 6-point threshold, that’s all that matters.
However, it’s important to understand that getting to the 6-point mark doesn’t guarantee an entry visa—it simply makes you eligible to apply. The final decision rests with the German consulate, which checks additional factors beyond the points system, especially your financial stability and ability to support yourself during your stay in Germany.
There are two ways to prove that.
The first option is to set up a blocked account in Germany with at least €1,027 per month or €12,324 for a year (as of 2024). A blocked account is a special type of bank account that puts some limits on your access to funds. Once you open the account and deposit the money, you can only withdraw a set maximum amount each month. This ensures that you don’t overspend and helps you manage your finances effectively during your stay.
If you have a friend or family member in Germany, they can provide you a declaration of commitment from the local immigration office. It is kind of a guarantee that they will cover your living expenses if needed. This must be submitted in its original form when applying for the visa and it costs around 25 euros.
If you meet all the requirements for the Opportunity Card, the next step is to submit your visa application to the responsible German diplomatic mission in your country of residence.
Visa Application
Book an appointment, either directly with the consulate or through specialized visa centers like VFS, based on your location. There is often a waiting list for visa appointments, so it’s important to plan ahead and schedule your appointment early.
Once you’ve secured an appointment, the next step is to prepare a complete package of required documents. So visit the embassy or consulate’s official website and review their checklist of required documents.
Germany is well-known for its bureaucracy, so make sure that all forms, proofs, and additional paperwork are in perfect order to avoid any further delays. Also keep in mind that the Opportunity Card has seen more rejections than approvals, so managing your expectations is key.
During the visa interview, your documents will be checked and your biometric data will be recorded. You will also need to pay a processing fee of €75. After the interview, your documents will be forwarded to the relevant authority in Germany for further review. If your Opportunity Card application is approved, you will be issued a temporary visa, allowing you to travel to Germany. The entire process, from submission to decision, typically takes 3 to 6 months.
To make things easier for you, I’ve created a complete guide with a checklist that covers everything you need to apply for the Opportunity Card. You can download it for free:
Auf Wiedersehen!
Disclaimer: The Content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal or other advice. It is important to do your own analysis before making any decision.
