Why apply for the Germany Opportunity Card?

• Explore 1 million+ job opportunities across more than 20 sectors
• Direct access to the robust job market in Germany
• Migrate to Germany without a job offer
• Minimum points requirement to be eligible
• Get a German employment visa upon receiving a job offer

On June 01, 2024, the government of Germany launched the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) as a part of the Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) in Germany. The Germany Opportunity Card replaced the Germany Job Seeker Visa, which was launched with the same purpose. The Chancenkarte visa aims to attract skilled workers to join the workforce in Germany and eventually acquire work and residence permits in the country.

What is the Germany Opportunity Card?

The Germany Opportunity Card is an immigration pathway for non-EU nationals seeking employment in Germany. Also known as the Chancenkarte visa, the Opportunity Card welcomes job seekers to enter and look for jobs in the country. Candidates can even apply for a work permit after receiving a valid offer.

The Opportunity Card provides a streamlined pathway for skilled professionals to enter the German Job Market. Candidates can explore the job market freely and access a wide range of job opportunities across various industries in Germany. The visa was launched to attract skilled professionals to the country and offer them permanent residency.

Germany Chancenkarte vs. Job Seeker Visa

Factors	Germany Opportunity Card	Germany Job Seeker Visa
Minimum Qualifications	Professional qualification and 2+ years’ work experience	Degree or vocational training recognized by Germany
Required language level	IELTS/Minimum A1 level in German Or B2 level in English	Not Mandatory
Visa duration	1 year	6 months
Visa extension	+ 24 months	No Extension
Required funds	€ 12,324	€ 5,604
Cap	Not applicable	Not Applicable
Paid work permitted	Yes, up to 20 hours a week	No

 

Benefits of Germany Opportunity Card

The major benefits of the Opportunity Card include:

• Migrate to Germany without a job offer
• Stay and look for jobs in Germany for up to a year
• Take up part-time employment for up to 20 hours per week
• Earn up to €1000 per month
• Enjoy a fast-track hiring process and streamlined entry to Germany
• Potential to acquire permanent residency in Germany
• Direct access to the German job market

Germany Job Market

According to recent reports, Germany needs around 288,000 foreign workers annually until 2040 to meet its workforce demands, thereby projecting lucrative job opportunities for skilled professionals. Sectors like IT, engineering, healthcare, and hospitality are in the highest demand in Germany. The country has around 1.8 million job vacancies across 20+ industries.

The table below lists the highest-paying industries in Germany:

Most in-demand jobs in Germany
Green Tech Jobs	Finance and Administration
Software and System Developers	Hotel and restaurant industry – Chefs
IT specialists/Executives	Healthcare – Doctors, nurses, midwifery, dentists, medical secretaries, care administrators
Systems analysts and IT architecture	Teachers – Preschool and primary school teaching
Engineers	Electrician
Sales and Marketing	Manufacturing

Foreign skilled professionals can migrate to Germany on an opportunity card to explore jobs in their sector and apply for a German employment visa upon receiving a valid job offer. The government of Germany is constantly improvising and implementing new policies and immigration rules to attract and retain foreign workers in the country.

Points Calculator for Germany Opportunity Card

Germany uses a points-based system to determine the eligibility of the applicants for the visa. Applicants must score at least 6 points to be eligible for the Germany Opportunity Card. The eligibility of a candidate is assessed under the following five factors:

• Age
• Education
• Work Experience
• Language Proficiency Skills
• Connection to Germany

Note: Candidates applying with their spouse who qualifies for the Opportunity Card can get additional points under the Spousal Qualifications factor.

The table below lists the maximum points that can be scored under each factor of the Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator:

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

Eligibility for Germany Opportunity Card

You will be eligible to apply for the Germany Opportunity Card if you:

• Are you a citizen of a non-EU country
• Are aged between 18 -40 years
• Have completed a 2-year university degree or equivalent vocational training
• Have a minimum of 2 years of work experience or relevant skills in the field you are willing to work in
• Are proficient in English or German language
• Have at least €12,324 in your bank account to sustain your stay
• Can provide proof of previous ties with Germany (if applicable)

Note: Tourist visits are not considered a prior tie with Germany.

Requirements for Germany Opportunity Card

The following are the documents required to apply for Germany Opportunity Card:

• A valid and original passport
• Documents to prove your residency
• Documents describing your identity and civil status
• Proof of funds and financial stability
• Health insurance details
• Language proficiency test results
• Proof of prior work experience
• Notice of recognition from authorities in Germany
• Educational transcripts
• Proof of previous ties with Germany

Language Proficiency Requirements for Germany Opportunity Card

You must be proficient in English, German, or both to qualify for the Opportunity Card. The table below lists details of language proficiency requirements for the Germany Opportunity Card:

Language	Levels of proficiency
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	TOEFL
	IELTS
	Cambridge Certificate

 

How to apply for a Germany Opportunity Card?

The steps to apply for a Germany Opportunity Card are listed below:

Step 1: Check your eligibility using the Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator

Step 2: Gather the required documents

Step 3: Fill out the visa application form

Step 4: Submit your application to the local embassy

Step 5: Wait for a decision on your application

Step 6: Fly to Germany upon visa approval

Germany Opportunity Card Processing Fees

The processing fee for a Germany Opportunity Card is around €75.

Germany Opportunity Card Processing Time

Germany Opportunity Card applications are generally processed within 4 to 6 months, depending on the accuracy of the application and the embassy's workload. Therefore, applicants are advised to apply well in advance to avoid delays.

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis is the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Canada. Our team of visa experts are here to provide you step-by-step assistance with German immigration and help you take an informed decision. Our impeccable services include:

• Free eligibility check via the  Germany Immigration Points Calculator
• Y-Axis Coaching Services to help you ace language proficiency tests
• Free Career counseling to help you choose the best career path
• Y-Axis Job Search Services to find relevant jobs in Germany
• Y-Axis Resume Writing Services to help you keep your resume up-to-date
• Personalized assistance with German Immigration