Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) Checklist

Option 1: a German qualification or foreign academic/vocational qualification fully recognised in Germany; no points test. Option 2: qualification recognised in its country of issue, vocational training at least two years, with the required supporting assessment and language evidence.

Choose actual Option1 or Option2 qualification branch.

Requirements: Option 1; Option 2 qualification and assessment

For the points route (Option 2), prove German at least A1 OR English at least B2. Option 1 with German/full German-recognised qualification requires no language proof under this route; German remains useful.

Only the points route (Option 2), not the recognised-qualification route (Option 1).

Option 1 no language proof; Option 2 A1 German ORB2 English

Prove at least EUR 1,091 net per month for the intended search stay in 2026, for example by blocked account or declaration of commitment. An allowed job of at most 20 hours weekly can finance this: cover any net-income shortfall with a blocked account. Insufficient proof for 12 months can lead to a shorter initial card.

Proof of adequate means of subsistence: part-time salary and top-up, lines 112–125; issuance duration and insufficient 12-month financing, lines 143–144.

Submit a valid passport and health-insurance evidence, generally incoming insurance for the visa period. Use the competent mission’s application procedure; for in-person forms generally complete VIDEX. Check its full checklist for additional documents and translation requirements.

Application procedure and issuance — Which documents are required to apply for the opportunity card? passport, health insurance, forms and competent-mission checklist (lines 132–141).

Only Option 2 requires at least six evidenced points, in addition to its qualification and language prerequisites. Option 1 with German/full German-recognised qualification bypasses the points system.

Only the points route (Option 2), not the recognised-qualification route (Option 1).

Option 2 minimum 6 points plus qualification/language prerequisites

The initial search card lasts up to one year. While jobseeking, secondary employment totals at most 20 hours/week; job trials last at most two weeks per employer for qualified employment, training or recognition. Apply for the appropriate residence title when a suitable position is found.

Initial search opportunity card; appropriate residence title required after suitable job.

Prospects after entry — initial search card; secondary jobs and trial work