GermanyJob search

Job search card in Germany

A programme for foreign nationals who want to find qualified work in Germany. It is open to two categories of applicant: those with a fully recognised qualification and those who score the minimum number of points under the assessment system. The card is issued for the purpose of looking for work and allows the holder to try out different positions to see whether they fit. Once a contract for a qualified position has been signed, an extended card for full employment is possible.

Source: gesetze-im-internet.de — § 20a AufenthG (Chancenkarte)

Two routes to the Chancenkarte

An applicant can qualify for the card in one of two ways, depending on their qualification and language skills.

Option 1: fully recognised qualification

A degree officially and fully recognised in Germany
Vocational training or higher education obtained in Germany
A vocational qualification recognised by a German chamber of commerce

Option 2: points system

Completed vocational training of two years or more, obtained in any country
Conversational German or business English, evidenced by a certificate
At least six points in the assessment system for the qualification, the shortage status of the occupation, experience, language, age and other criteria

When this programme will not suit you

The applicant has already found qualified work and is ready to start immediately

Apply for a work residence permit for skilled workers (the Blue Card or the skilled worker visa)

The applicant has years of experience with a German company on temporary work and wants to move to permanent status

Apply to switch to a skilled worker residence permit without any further job search

The applicant already has resident status or is in Germany with the right to work

Use the permission already granted by the current residence permit, without changing status

What it costs

Visa at the consulateFee for a national visa under § 69(5) No. 4 AufenthG	100 EUR
Visa processing outside office hours (option)Additional fee for expedited processing under § 69(6) AufenthG	+30 EUR

Paid separately

Recognition of the qualification — Paid separately when applying to the competent authorities; not included in the visa fee
Translation of documents — Charged by the notary and translator; not part of the state fees

Documents to gather

An application for the Chancenkarte requires documents confirming the qualification, financial readiness and identity of the applicant.

Valid passport or travel document
Evidence of qualification: a university degree, a vocational college certificate or an employment contract
Certificate of recognition of the foreign qualification from the competent authority (where required)
Proof of financial security: a bank statement or a guarantee letter
Language certificate: German at A1 or English at B2
Photograph measuring 35x45 mm (in line with German visa requirements)
Completed application form (for the consulate)
Where necessary: a letter of recommendation from an employer or contacts at German companies for employment

How the process runs

Obtaining the Chancenkarte involves preparing documents, filing the application at the embassy and managing the status after arrival.

1
Collecting and preparing the qualification documents
2-4 weeks
The applicant collects degrees, certificates, language documents and proof of funds. Where necessary, formal recognition of the foreign qualification is obtained through the competent state authority.
2
Opening a blocked account or preparing a guarantee letter
1-2 weeks
The applicant opens an account with a German bank and blocks the required amount, or asks a German sponsor to prepare a guarantee letter. Either method proves financial self-sufficiency.
3
Filing the form and documents at the consulate
1 day
The applicant brings the complete set of documents to the German embassy or consulate in their country. A consular officer checks the documents, collects the fee and sends the application for processing.
4
Examination of the application by the consulate
2-6 weeks
The consulate checks the qualification, financial position, language skills and compliance with the points system criteria (where applicable). Where necessary the consulate requests further documents.
5
Issue of the visa and entry into Germany
1 week
The consulate issues a national visa valid for up to a year. The applicant enters Germany and must register with the local foreigners' authority within two weeks.
6
Registration and issue of the residence permit
1-3 weeks
At the local foreigners' authority the applicant registers, gives biometric data and receives the plastic residence permit card (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) valid for up to a year.
7
Job search and employment
Variable
During the year for which the card is valid the applicant looks for qualified work. They may work up to twenty hours a week, take trial jobs of up to two weeks and engage in self-employment.
8
Moving to the extended card (where a contract is held)
2-4 weeks
Once a contract for a qualified position has been signed, the applicant may apply for the extended Chancenkarte (Folge-Chancenkarte) for up to two years, subject to approval by the Federal Employment Agency.

Timelines and rights

Work

Part-time work of up to 20 hours a week and trial work of up to 2 weeks with a single employer. Looking for self-employment is also allowed

Who you can bring with you

The Chancenkarte does not provide for family members to be included directly; family circumstances may, however, count as an additional criterion in the points system.

Spouse or partner in a registered partnership

Does not acquire an automatic right to a visa. They must file a separate application for a Chancenkarte or another status. They may be taken into account in the points system as a factor improving the chances of obtaining the card.

Children under the age of majority

Not included automatically. They may obtain a visa under the family reunification scheme (Familiennachzug), depending on the parent's financial means and other conditions.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Entry for job-seeking; once a job has been found, the corresponding residence permit must be obtained from the foreigners' authority

The Chancenkarte is valid for up to one year. Where a contract for a qualified position is held, the applicant may apply for the extended Chancenkarte (Folge-Chancenkarte) for up to two years. Renewal requires the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Once the extended card expires, the applicant must switch to a work residence permit for skilled workers if they intend to remain in the country.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Does not lead directly to permanent residence — you have to move to a work residence permit or an EU Blue Card

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation after 5 years of residence

Frequently asked questions about Job search card

What is the difference between the two routes to the Chancenkarte?

The first option is intended for people with a fully recognised qualification, who do not have to score points. The second option is for applicants with basic vocational training or a degree who score at least six points on the criteria of qualification, shortage status of the occupation, work experience, language skills, age and other factors.

How is a foreign qualification recognised in Germany?

Recognition is carried out by the competent authority (Kammer) depending on the occupation: chambers of commerce for vocational training, universities for degrees, specialist bodies for medicine and law. The process involves filing documents, translating them, paying fees and sitting examinations where necessary. Recognition may be full (gleichwertig) or partial, with a requirement for further training.

Which occupations count as shortage occupations for the purposes of scoring points?

Shortage occupations are determined by the Federal Ministry of Labour and cover fields where Germany faces an acute shortage of staff. Typical shortage occupations include engineering, IT roles, medicine, nursing and construction. The full list is kept current and updated annually according to labour market needs.

Can I work on a Chancenkarte before finding a permanent position?

Yes. A Chancenkarte holder may work up to twenty hours a week for any employer, take trial jobs of up to two weeks with a single employer and engage in self-employment without any further permit. This allows the applicant to support themselves financially while looking for a qualified position.

What happens once the Chancenkarte expires?

If the applicant finds qualified work, they may apply for the extended Chancenkarte (up to two years) or move straight to a work residence permit for skilled workers (the Blue Card or the skilled worker visa). If no work is found, the applicant must leave Germany or change the basis of their stay.

What is the minimum language level required to apply for a Chancenkarte?

For the route with a fully recognised qualification there are no language requirements. For the points system route, either German at elementary level (A1 on the Common European Framework) or business English (B2) is required. These minimum requirements allow the applicant to communicate in the workplace and to start looking for work.

Other ways to move to Germany

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Germany.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.