Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

The Opportunity Card lets qualified people come to Germany for one year to find a job according to a points system. Once a job is found, they switch to the skilled worker visa.

Core requirements

• At least six points: education, experience, German/English, age, link to Germany
• A blocked account or financial proof equivalent to about USD 14,000
• A recognised degree or vocational qualification
• Health insurance

Advantages

• Entry without a job offer
• A right to work part-time
• Family reunification for spouse and children

Duration and cost

The estimated processing time is about 3 months. The minimum funds amount is about USD 14,000; government fees, due diligence, legal and translation costs must be calculated separately. You can see the current total cost with the investment cost calculator.

Risks

• Points fall if language level is insufficient
• The recognition process may be long
• The permit ends after one year if no job is found

Who is it for?

For those experienced in engineering, IT, health and trades with good German/English. Amounts and conditions are for information; regulations may change and approval is not guaranteed.