Opportunity Card
Chancenkarte (§20a AufenthG)
A points-based card that lets qualified people come to Germany to look for work for up to a year, with limited permission to work part-time and to trial jobs while searching.
Who it is for. Qualified people without a job offer yet, scoring enough points on qualification, experience, language, age and prior ties.
Worth knowing. The blocked-account figure tracks the student maintenance requirement, which is revised annually — confirm the current amount before opening an account. Points are awarded for qualification recognition, experience, German and English ability, age and previous stays in Germany.
- Income required
- Not stated
- Savings required
- €13,092
- Investment required
- None
- Application fee
- Not stated
- Processing time
- 30–90 days
- Permission lasts
- 12 months
- Permanent residence
- Not via this route
- Citizenship
- Not via this route
Not renewable
Sources
Worth knowing. The blocked-account figure tracks the student maintenance requirement, which is revised annually — confirm the current amount before opening an account. Points are awarded for qualification recognition, experience, German and English ability, age and previous stays in Germany.
Check this against
- Make it in Germany — the official portal for skilled workers (opens in a new tab)Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour · Government department
- Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) — including §21 self-employment and §18g EU Blue Card (opens in a new tab)Bundesministerium der Justiz · Government department