What the Opportunity Card is
German law calls the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) a residence permit for looking for work, or for measures to recognise foreign professional qualifications. It is first issued for up to one year. A German embassy checklist says non-EU candidates can enter Germany to look for a suitable job, and that proof of a permanent employment contract is not required. The law also says a person already in Germany can get the card only if they hold certain other residence titles.
Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice German Embassy Washington: National Visa for job search “Opportunity Card” — information sheet and checklist
What it allows, and what it does not
The law says the card entitles you only to two kinds of work. The first is employment that averages at most 20 hours a week in total. The second is trial employment of at most two weeks each time. The trial work must be qualified work, must aim at training, or must suit a recognition measure. The embassy checklist describes the same limits. Full-time work is not among these rights while the card is used to look for work.
Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice German Embassy Washington: National Visa for job search “Opportunity Card” — information sheet and checklist
The two ways to qualify
The law says the card can be issued to a skilled worker, or to a person with enough points in the table annexed to the Act. The embassy checklist calls these Option 1 and Option 2. Option 1 is a foreign professional or academic qualification that is fully recognised in Germany, or a degree or professional qualification obtained in Germany. Option 2 needs at least six points, plus completed vocational or academic training that is recognised in the country where it was obtained. A vocational qualification must have needed at least two years of training. Option 2 also needs German at level A1 or English at level B2. This page does not list the points table.
Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice German Embassy Washington: National Visa for job search “Opportunity Card” — information sheet and checklist
Money and insurance you must show
The law says the card may be issued only if your living costs are secured. The embassy checklist, written for applicants in the United States, asks for proof of funds for at least one year of 1,091.00 EUR a month, a total of 13,092.00 EUR. It lists four ways to show this: a blocked account; account statements for the last three months; a formal obligation letter signed by a person living in Germany; or a work contract for a part-time job in Germany of up to 20 hours a week. It also requires health insurance for the whole intended stay. The checklist says it may not fit every individual case, so check with the German mission that handles your application.
Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice German Embassy Washington: National Visa for job search “Opportunity Card” — information sheet and checklist
From the search to a job
The law allows a follow-on card of up to two more years. You must apply during your stay, hold an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified employment in Germany, and have the consent of the Federal Employment Agency. It is issued only if you do not meet the conditions for another residence permit for employment under Part 4 of Chapter 2 of the Act. So an offer does not end the process: you still need the right permit for the new job.
Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice
What can change, and what this page does not cover
The law lets the federal government limit, by decree, the number of cards issued to people who are not yet in Germany. The embassy checklist is dated May 2026; check the current version before you rely on its amounts. This page does not cover the points table, fees, processing times, how qualifications are recognised, family members, or other work routes.
Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice German Embassy Washington: National Visa for job search “Opportunity Card” — information sheet and checklist
Questions before acting
Do I need to be in Germany already to get the card?
No. The embassy checklist says non-EU candidates can enter Germany to look for a suitable job. The law says a person already in Germany can get the card only if they hold certain other residence titles.
Can I work full-time while I hold the card to look for work?
No. The law entitles the card holder only to employment averaging at most 20 hours a week and to trial employment of at most two weeks each time.
Does a job offer end the immigration process?
No. A follow-on card needs an employment contract or binding offer for qualified employment and the Federal Employment Agency's consent, and it is issued only if you do not meet the conditions for another permit.
Corrections in this revision
The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:
- Statements without direct official support: removed, or replaced with the official rule. Removed figures are not repeated on this page.
Review scope: legal and financial statements in this revised article. Recheck on a provider, professional, immigration or tax-rule change; reuse of dated figures requires a new check.
See recorded sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG) section 20a: Chancenkarte — consolidated text, Federal Ministry of Justice — Germany — federal statute. Consolidated text on gesetze-im-internet.de; no consolidation date printed on the page; read 6 Oct 2026
- German Embassy Washington: National Visa for job search “Opportunity Card” — information sheet and checklist — Germany — Federal Foreign Office mission (Washington); checklist for applicants in the United States. PDF dated May 2026 (printed on the document); read 6 Oct 2026
These primary references have the jurisdiction, product and scope stated above. A source link is not proof of personalised eligibility.
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About the author
António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.
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