Route: Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
The Opportunity Card lets you come to Germany to look for a job, without a job offer. You must show money, language and a qualification.
Two ways in
- Route A: your qualification is fully recognised in Germany.
- Route B (points): a qualification recognised in the country where it was earned (vocational training or degree), German at A1 or English at B2, and at least 6 points.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial recognition in Germany | 4 |
| German B2 / B1 / A2 | 3 / 2 / 1 |
| English C1 | 1 |
| At least 5 years of experience in the last 7 years | 3 |
| At least 2 years of experience in the last 5 years | 2 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| "Not older than 35" / "older than 35 and not older than 40" | 2 / 1 |
| At least 6 months of legal stay in Germany in the last 5 years | 1 |
| Spouse also qualifies and applies | 1 |
Money and documents
- €1,091 a month, about €13,092 for a year, as blocked account, declaration of commitment or part-time contract (§ 20a (4) sentence 1 AufenthG; the amount follows administrative practice, see make-it-in-germany). Russian bank accounts are not accepted as proof: Money and EU sanctions.
- Health insurance, CV, motivation letter, proof of accommodation, qualification proof. Visa fee €75. See Documents.
- Which Embassy channel (Moscow or VisaMetric) takes Opportunity Card applications: not confirmed; the Embassy's page does not name this card.
Work rights
Up to 20 hours a week, plus trial employment of up to two weeks each (§ 20a (2) no. 2).
Berlin is expensive and job searches take months. The card works best with good German and a qualification an employer recognises.
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.