Opportunity map Germany
Finding work more easily
The opportunity card opens up new opportunities for companies and qualified foreigners
From June 1, 2024, there will be another residence permit in Germany: the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), regulated in the newly created Section 20a of the Residence Act (AufenthG). It is a result of the Act on the Further Development of Skilled Immigration, which was passed by the Bundestag in summer 2023. The opportunity card is aimed at skilled workers and other well-trained foreigners with high potential and is intended to make it easier for these people from non-EU countries to enter Germany to look for work. The opportunity card also offers many advantages to companies looking for highly qualified employees. In this article, we explain what the opportunity card is all about and how you, whether you are an employee or a company, can take advantage of it.
Opportunity Card - advantages for skilled workers and companies
It is obvious that an opportunity card offers many advantages to foreigners looking for work. In contrast to most other residence permits, it makes it possible to live in Germany without first having to present a concrete job offer. The search for employment can then take place directly in Germany. This means that applicants are more flexible, can take part in local job interviews and can take advantage of the possibility of trial employment for up to two weeks per potential job. In addition, foreigners with an opportunity card can pursue a part-time job of up to 20 hours per week in parallel to their job search, which is of course subject to the German minimum wage. This gives them an initial insight into working life in Germany, familiarizes them with the language and manners in this country and puts them under less time pressure in their search for permanent employment.
However, an opportunity card not only makes it easier to find a job, it also makes it possible to take measures for the recognition of foreign training directly in Germany. Foreigners whose training has been determined by a German authority to require further adaptation or compensation measures in order for their qualification to be recognized in Germany receive four of the six points required for an opportunity card(more on this below).
Companies can also benefit from the introduction of the opportunity card. First of all, the possibility of a personal interview and the option of employment on a trial basis for up to two weeks are of course also advantageous for them in order to get to know potential employees better. In addition, the opportunity card brings many well-trained workers to Germany, the majority of whom will take up part-time employment to finance their job search. As the opportunity card allows such employment for up to 20 hours per week and no approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required, companies can quickly and unbureaucratically find workers who want to prove themselves in a new environment.
Requirements for obtaining an Opportunity Card
In order to receive an opportunity card, a number of general requirements must first be met. For example, you must be able to prove that you and, if applicable, your relatives are able to support themselves . This means that you must not be dependent on state aid in order to be able to live in Germany. To do this, you usually need either a blocked account or a declaration of commitment. However, you can also prove that you have the necessary financial means with an employment contract for a part-time job of up to 20 hours per week, which you are allowed to do with the Opportunity Card.
In addition, only those who are abroad or already have a residence permit in Germany under §§ 16 - 21 AufenthG (residence permit for training or employment) can apply for an opportunity card.
And the last general requirement: you can only obtain an Opportunity Card as a skilled worker or through a points system. In this way, the federal government wants to ensure that only foreigners who are particularly highly qualified or have great potential can benefit from the Opportunity Card.
Opportunity Card for skilled workers
According to § 18 Para. 3 AufenthG, all foreigners who either have a German degree or vocational training qualification or who have obtained such a qualification abroad that is recognized in Germany or is comparable to a German qualification are considered skilled workers. Information on whether a particular foreign university degree is recognized in Germany can be found in the anabin online database. If your degree is not included in the database, you must apply to the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) for an individual, fee-based certificate evaluation.
Skilled workers have already been able to obtain a residence permit to look for a job in accordance with Section 20 AufenthG. However, the opportunity card offers some considerable advantages compared to this residence permit. For example, an opportunity card can be issued for up to one year, whereas the residence permit can only be issued for a maximum of six months. In addition, unlike a residence permit under § 20 AufenthG, an opportunity card allows you to work a part-time job for up to 20 hours a week while you are looking for work, thus helping to secure your livelihood.
Opportunity Card through points system
For skilled workers, the Opportunity Card therefore offers an excellent opportunity to come to Germany even without a signed employment contract. But even those who are not skilled workers can apply for an Opportunity Card. This is based on a system that awards points for various characteristics. For example, points can be collected for German language skills, training that requires further measures to be recognized or professional experience, but also for being under 40 years of age or having a good command of English. Anyone who can collect at least six points can also receive an Opportunity Card. Here we explain exactly how the points system is structured and how many points are awarded for which characteristics.
In order to receive an Opportunity Card according to the points system, in addition to achieving the minimum number of points, you must also have German language skills at level A1 or alternatively English language skills at level B2. You must also be able to prove that you have completed at least two years of vocational training or a university degree abroad and that this degree is recognized by the state there. Alternatively, a professional qualification issued by a German chamber of commerce abroad will also grant you access to the points system. You can also find more detailed information on these restrictions and exceptions to them on our page on the points system of the Opportunity Card.
Would you like to find out whether you can obtain an Opportunity Card via the points system?
Then take our free points check now!
How to apply for an Opportunity Card
You must submit your application for an opportunity card to the German diplomatic mission responsible for your place of residence. If you are already in Germany, your local immigration authority is responsible for your application.
Applying to the German authorities is rarely easy. Although the Opportunity Card is intended to make it easier for foreigners to enter Germany without complications, even to look for a job, numerous problems can arise here too. If you want to make sure that your application is complete and has the best possible chance of success, please contact our experienced lawyers. The team at RT & Partner specializes in migration law and will help you to obtain your rights quickly and easily.
Search Opportunity Card and follow-up Opportunity Card
Do you meet the requirements and have you applied for an opportunity card from the relevant authority? Then you will receive a so-called Search Opportunity Card from the responsible immigration authority, which allows you to live in Germany for up to one year, work up to 20 hours per week and, above all, look for a job. If you have found a job with your search opportunity card, you can apply for a so-called follow-up opportunity card for up to two more years, provided that no other residence title for gainful employment (e.g. EU Blue Card, residence permit for skilled workers, ICT card or another residence title for gainful employment) is suitable for you. However, as there are numerous different residence titles in Germany, it is unlikely that you will actually need a follow-up opportunity card.
If you do not manage to find a job during your stay with the Search Opportunity Card and you are not granted another residence permit, you will have to leave Germany again. However, you can apply for a new Opportunity Card and try your luck a second time after you have been abroad for at least as long as you were in Germany with the Opportunity Card.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Opportunity Card (FAQ)
How long is an opportunity card valid for?
The Chancenkarte entitles you to look for a job in Germany. But how long is the Chancenkarte valid for? In principle, an opportunity card can be issued for up to one year. However, how long you can stay in Germany with your card depends solely on the expiration date of your own Chancenkarte. If your job search in Germany was successful, you can apply for another residence permit for gainful employment in order to stay in Germany for longer.
Can I check whether I have enough points for an Opportunity Card?
Yes, that's why we have developed our free points calculator. It allows you to quickly and easily understand the points system of the Opportunity Card. If you would like to use our calculator to find out whether you are eligible for an opportunity card, click here.
How can I prove that my livelihood is secure?
Anyone wishing to obtain an opportunity card must be able to prove that their livelihood and, under certain circumstances, that of their close family is secure. This proof can be provided, for example, by means of a so-called blocked account from which you are only allowed to withdraw a certain amount each month. In 2024, you must deposit 1,027 euros there for each month, i.e. a total of 12,324 euros for one year. A declaration of commitment can also serve as proof of your livelihood.
If you want to pursue a part-time job during your job search with the opportunity card and have already signed an employment contract , you can also use this to prove that you have sufficient income.
I am a skilled worker. How many points do I have to collect to receive an Opportunity Card?
The points system does not apply to skilled workers. They therefore do not need a minimum number of points to obtain an opportunity card. According to Section 18 (3) AufenthG, a skilled worker is someone who has completed vocational training or a course of study either in Germany or has obtained such a qualification abroad, provided that the foreign qualification is recognized in Germany or is considered equivalent or comparable.
Will my stay with an Opportunity Card count towards the length of stay for a settlement permit?
In order to obtain a settlement permit in accordance with § 9 AufenthG, you must have resided in Germany for a certain minimum period, generally five years. However, the time during which you have held a job search opportunity card does not count towards this period. This is regulated by § 20a Para. 6 AufenthG. However, the situation is different with the so-called follow-up opportunity card: Any periods of residence with this residence permit can be fully counted towards a settlement permit.