The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a residence title under section 20a of the Residence Act. It allows qualified people from non-EU countries to come to Germany to look for work without an advance employment contract. Introduced as part of the skilled immigration reform, it is available either to recognised skilled workers or through a points system.

The Opportunity Card is for non-EU nationals. Recognised skilled workers do not need points. Depending on the route, the following aspects need to be assessed:

• hold a qualification suitable for the relevant route
• provide work experience where it is being used for points
• provide A1 German or B2 English for the points-based route
• can provide evidence of secured living costs
• score at least six points on the points-based route; this does not apply to recognised skilled workers

The points-based route requires at least six points in addition to the basic conditions. Recognised skilled workers do not need points. Relevant factors include:

• qualification and recognition status
• work experience
• language skills
• age
• an eligible previous stay in Germany

Key documents:

• passport
• qualification certificate
• qualification evidence appropriate to your route
• German or English language certificate, if required
• CV
• motivation letter, if requested
• proof of funds, such as a blocked account or declaration of commitment
• medical insurance

Non-academic vocational qualifications may require different evidence, such as a DAB statement. A university degree can be evidenced, for example, through:

• suitable positive anabin entries for the institution and degree
• or a ZAB Statement of Comparability where anabin does not provide sufficient evidence.

For a university degree, anabin is a useful first check. H+ refers to the institution; the degree must also have a suitable positive assessment. If both entries provide sufficient evidence, an additional ZAB Statement of Comparability may not be needed. The documents required depend on your application route.

A ZAB Statement of Comparability may be needed if:

• your university degree is absent from anabin
• or the entries do not provide sufficient positive evidence

It places a foreign university degree within the German education system.

German is not always required. For the points-based route, the minimum language requirement is:

• German at A1 or above
• or English at B2 or above

Higher German skills may earn additional points in the points system. Recognised skilled workers do not need a language certificate for the direct route. Good German still helps with job hunting.

Yes, B2 English can meet the minimum language requirement for the points-based route. You must also meet the other conditions and achieve the required points. This may be particularly relevant to IT professionals and international occupations.

Yes, but within limits. The job search Opportunity Card is primarily for finding work and does not permit unrestricted regular full-time employment.

Permitted activities include:

• employment totalling an average of no more than 20 hours per week
• and eligible work trials.

Yes, eligible work trials are permitted:

• up to two weeks per employer, when aimed at qualified employment, vocational training or a qualification recognition measure

This lets you and an employer assess whether working together is suitable.

A blocked account is a common form of financial evidence, but it is not the only option. Depending on the case, a formal declaration of commitment or sufficient income from permitted part-time work may also be accepted. Your living costs must be covered.

Yes, a valid formal declaration of commitment from a person living in Germany with sufficient financial means can serve as an alternative to a blocked account.

In many countries, Opportunity Card applications are submitted online through the Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal. Check with the responsible German mission which subsequent in-person appointments are required, for example for identity checks and biometrics.

The job search Opportunity Card generally does not itself provide a basis for a spouse to join you. A spouse with an appropriate residence title of their own, such as their own Opportunity Card, may enter with you. Children may accompany you under certain conditions, particularly if their living costs are covered. Each family member’s position must be assessed individually.

The job search Opportunity Card alone generally does not provide a basis for spousal reunification. If your spouse qualifies for a residence title independently, you may be able to enter together. After switching to an eligible employment residence title, you can apply for spousal reunification subject to the relevant conditions.

After receiving an offer of employment:

• prepare the contract and employer documents
• apply to change the residence title
• obtain an EU Blue Card if the requirements, particularly salary, the job and qualifications, are met

After receiving a job offer, the next steps are:

• prepare the employment contract and employer documents
• apply for an appropriate employment residence title
• obtain the appropriate employment residence title or EU Blue Card

The main difference:

• Opportunity Card: job hunting without an advance employment contract
• an employment visa requires a suitable job offer

The Opportunity Card makes it easier to look for work locally, but initially permits only limited employment.