The Chancenkarte, also known as GOC or Germany Opportunity Card is a residence permit that authorizes foreign nationals to live in Germany for to find a job. The permit has a validity of 1 year.
While you are searching for job in Germany, the GOC allows you to work for two weeks in a trial job or be employed in part-time work not exceeding 20 hours per week.
The Germany Opportunity Card streamlines the entry procedure for skilled international professionals.
The Chancenkarte as well as Job Seeker Visa of Germany are work permits to authorize international professionals to work in Germany. The primary differences between the Chancenkarte and Job Seeker visa are given in the table below.
Features | Job Seeker Visa | Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
Minimum Qualifications | University degree or recognized vocational training in Germany | Professional qualification with more than 2 years of vocational training and work experience |
Language Requirements | B1-level German for vocational training No language requirement if having a recognized degree |
A1-level German or B2-level English |
Visa Duration | A maximum of 6 months | A maximum of 1 year |
Financial Requirements | €5,604 for a period of 6 months | €12,324 for the year |
Work Permission | Not permitted during visa period | Allows part-time work up to 20 hours per week |
You have to score a minimum of 6 points from the criteria listed given below to be eligible for GOC. The detailed information about the primary factors used to evaluate a candidate and the points correlated to it is given below.
Criteria | Maximum points |
Age | 2 |
Qualification | 4 |
Relevant work experience | 3 |
German Language Skills/English Language Skills | 3 or 1 |
Previous stay in Germany | 1 |
Spouse qualifying for opportunity card | 1 |
Total | 14 |
To be eligible for the Germany Opportunity Card, you must:
To apply for the Germany Opportunity Card, you must have the following documents:
Language | Proficiency Level |
German tests | A1 (understand simple German sentences) |
A2 (basic knowledge) | |
B1 (intermediate) | |
B2 (good Intermediate) | |
C1 (advanced knowledge) | |
C2 (excellent knowledge / mother-tongue level) | |
English tests | IELTS TOEFL Cambridge Certificate |
Step 1: Evaluate your eligibility for Germany Opportunity Card
Step 2: Arrange the required documents for GOC
Step 3: Submit your GOC application at the local German Embassy.
Step 4: Wait for the decision on your GOC application
Step 5: Fly to Germany
The Germany Opportunity Card has an application fee of €75.
The processing time for Germany Opportunity Card ranges from 4 to 6 months.
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