Welcome
Job search opportunity card (Chancenkarte)
General Information
The “opportunity card” was introduced to enable jobseekers to stay in Germany to look for employment. This card can be obtained in two different ways: Third-country nationals who receive full recognition of their foreign qualifications and are therefore considered “skilled workers” under Section 18 para. 3 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) can obtain an opportunity card without any further special requirements. All other applicants must provide evidence of a foreign university degree, a vocational qualification of at least two years’ duration (in each case recognised by the state in the country of training) or a vocational qualification issued by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad. In addition basic knowledge of German (level A1 CEFR) or English (level B2 CEFR) are required.
If these requirements are met, points are awarded for criteria such as recognition of qualifications in Germany, language skills, professional experience, age, links to Germany, and possibly accompanying partners or spouses. Applicants must score a minimum of six points to receive an opportunity card.
Opportunity cards are issued for a maximum of one year, provided the cardholder is able to support him or herselve during this period.The opportunity card holders will be able to do work trials or take up secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their stay in Germany. If an applicant is subsequently unable to obtain another residence title for employment purposes under part 4 (Sections 18 to 21) of the Residence Act [AufenthG]) but nevertheless has an offer of qualified employment, the opportunity card can be extended for another two years.
How does the points system for opportunity cards work?
The points system is only relevant if option 2 applies to you, i.e. if you are unable to demonstrate that you have a German qualification or that your foreign qualification has been fully recognised. To apply for an opportunity card visa, you must also provide evidence of formal qualifications and the necessary language skills. You can score points for the following criteria:
- Equivalence of qualification: If you have already applied for recognition of your foreign qualifications and these have been found to be partially equivalent, you will receive four points. You will still receive the four points if, in the case of a regulated profession, you are required to participate in compensatory measures before obtaining a licence to practise your profession.
- Qualification in a shortage occupation: If your formal qualification is in a shortage occupation, you will get one point. To find out which occupations are considered to be in short supply, consult the List of shortage occupations.
- Professional experience: You will also be awarded points for your previous professional experience in relation to your formal qualification. Two points will be awarded if you can demonstrate that you have at least two years’ post-qualification professional experience within the last five years. If you have at least five years’ professional experience within the last seven years, you will get three points.
- Language skills: You will also earn points if your German language skills are above level A1 (CEFR). One point is awarded at level A2, two points at level B1 and three points at level B2 or above. An additional point will be awarded if you have English at level C1 or above, or if you are a native speaker.
- Age: You also receive points if you are a certain age. People who are no older than 35 get two points until the day they turn 35. All those aged between 35 and 40 are awarded one point.
- Previous stays in Germany: Have you already lived in Germany? If you can prove that you have resided legally in Germany for a continuous period of at least six months in the last five years, you will receive one point. Examples of such stays include study, language and work stays. Stays for the purpose of tourism or visiting people do not count. Copies of old passports and the visas and entry stamps they contain can be submitted as evidence.
- Skilled worker potential of spouses or life partners: Are you married or in a partnership and would like to come to Germany with your partner on an opportunity card? If your partner already meets the requirements for an opportunity card, you will be awarded one point in the points system. With this in mind, he or she can also do the self-check: opportunity card.
For both Option 1 and Option 2, you must have sufficient financial resources to fund your job search in Germany. During the visa process, you can demonstrate this ability with a blocked bank account (containing a minimum of €1,027 net per month, amount applicable in 2024) or a declaration of commitment.
Processing period
The processing period may take 2-3 months. During the processing period you cannot inquire about the status of your application. Upon expiry of the processing period only the applicant, his/her legal representative or persons holding an authorization letter signed by the applicant may inquire about the status of the visa.
Fees
The fee is 75,00 €, payable in QAR cash or by international credit card in Euro (Mastercard, Visa). Euro cash, checks or debit cards are not accepted. The application form can be downloaded for free.
Necessary documents
Please bring the following documents in the mentioned order to your appointment at the Embassy. Additional documents may in some cases be requested. Documents sent in advance will not be archived.
Please complete the online application form (application forms are required for each applicant separately; all children require separate forms) and bring the printed and signed form including the barcodes to your appointment.
A valid passport signed by the holder, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least one year is necessary. The passport needs to have at least 2 subsequent blank pages. Please bring 1 photocopy of the passport biodata page to your appointment.
1 fully biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months. Digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted. Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
Bring your valid Qatar residence permit (QID) and 1 photocopy to your appointment.
Are you from a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and would like to apply for an opportunity card under Section 20a of the Residence Act [AufenthG]? The following options are open to you:
Option 1: You have foreign professional or academic qualifications fully recognised in Germany. Alternatively, you obtained your university degree or professional qualification in Germany.
You must provide the following documents:
- original degree certificate or a copy - either notarised by a notary public or certified by the issuing academic institution. The original will be returned to you during your appointment. Any non-German, English or French documents must be translated into one of these three languages by a certified or sworn translator.
- photocopy of the original certificate and translation (if applicable)
- printouts from the official database (ANABIN) - showing that both the qualifications as well as the academic institution are listed as comparable - 1 copy
- OR original “Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications”, issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) and a photocopy of the ZAB statement.
Option 2: You will earn a minimum of six points in the points system in addition to meeting the following requirements:
You have successfully completed vocational or academic training. It is important that the qualifications are recognised by the country in which you obtained them. In addition, you must have completed at least two years of vocational training. To support your visa application, you must obtain a “positive result” for this qualification, which you can apply for online at the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
If you completed Category A vocational education and training at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) that meets the requirements of the Vocational Training Act [BBiG], this qualification may also be suitable. For more information, please contact the AHK from which you obtained your qualification.
You must provide the original qualification or a copy - either notarised by a notary public or certified by the issuing vocational institution. The original will be returned to you during your appointment. Any non-German, English or French documents must be translated into one of these three languages by a certified or sworn translator.
- photocopy of the original and translation (if applicable)
- original and photocopy of the recognition notice regarding your professional qualification
You may earn points for your previous professional experience in relation to your formal qualifications. You will earn 2 points for having a minimum of two years’ post-qualification professional experience within the past five years. For a minimum of five years of professional experience within the past seven years, you may earn 3 points.
Please provide the originals and 1 copy each of the experience certificates.
You will also earn points if your German language skills are above level A1 (CEFR). One point is awarded at level A2, two points at level B1 and three points at level B2 or above. An additional point will be awarded if you have English language at level C1 or above, or if you are a native speaker.
Please provide proof of recognized German language proficiency skills (1 original and 1 copy).
You must provide a blocked bank account with a minimum amount of € 12,324.00 for one year (i.e. a minimum amount of €1,027.00 per month). Alternatively you can present a declaration of commitment(formal obligation) from a sponsor residing in Germany.
You must also provide a bank statement of the last 3 months.
Book an appointment
Please use our online appointment booking system. Booking via telephone or email is not possible. During your appointment, you will submit all required documents and pay the visa processing fee. You will be interviewed with regards to your planned stay in Germany and your biometric data (passport photograph and fingerprints) will be collected.