Chancenkarte in Germany (the opportunity card)
Looking for work in Germany on the ground for up to 1 year, with the right to work 20 hrs/week on the side. Points-based system.
- Qualified professionals
The Chancenkarte (§§20a-20b AufenthG) gives the right to stay in Germany for up to 1 year specifically to look for work or to go through recognition of qualifications. Working fully is not allowed — only side work of up to 20 hours a week and trial work (Probearbeit, up to 2 weeks with each employer) are permitted. To work full-time, once you have an offer you need to move to a work residence permit (Fachkräfte under §18a/18b or the Blue Card).
To obtain the card you need at least 6 points on the table of criteria (education and its recognition, work experience, age, language skills, links with Germany, shortage occupation). Full official recognition of the qualification (Anerkennung) is not strictly required — points are also given for simply having at least 2 years of vocational or higher education recognised in the country where it was obtained, plus work experience. The language requirement is A1 German OR B2 English (not German only, as the wording on the site might suggest).
Residence permit in Germany: comparing the options
The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A settlement permit in Germany | People who have lived in Germany for five years on a work or family permit, skilled workers: three years is enough, or two with a German qualification, blue Card holders: 27 months, or 21 with German at B1 | 1–12 months | from $895 |
| Switching from a §24 permit to a work permit in Germany | People on temporary protection who have found work and want to stay for the long term, graduates who need a status that leads to settlement, anyone tired of depending on the next extension of temporary protection | 1–6 months | from $1,460 |
| Residence permit in Germany through family reunification | Families moving to join a sponsor, children under 18 joining their parents | 3–6 months | from $2,240 |
| Chancenkarte in Germany (the opportunity card)you are here | Qualified professionals, looking for work in Germany | 2–4 months | from $2,350 |
| EU Blue Card in Germany | IT specialists, engineers, doctors, researchers | 2–3 months | from $3,360 |
| Fachkräfte — residence permit for qualified professionals in Germany | Mid-level technical staff, nurses, construction workers, electricians | 3–5 months | from $3,360 |
| Freiberufler — freelancer residence permit in Germany | IT freelancers, designers, consultants, journalists | 2–4 months | from $3,920 |
| Residence permit in Germany for remote workers (the equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa) | Tech employees with a foreign contract, digital nomads | 2–4 months | from $3,920 |
| Relocation of IT teams to Germany | IT companies, startups, corporate HR | 3–6 months | Upon consultation |
What the service includes
| Assessment against the points system | |
| Preparing the document pack | |
| Filing with the embassy | |
| Support until the visa is issued | |
| Finding an employer— billed separately | |
| Document translations— billed separately |
Documents and programme requirements
- 1A passport
- 2Proof of qualifications
- 3Financial guarantees
- 4Language skills (A1)
Frequently asked questions
Does the Chancenkarte allow you to work fully in Germany?
Is Anerkennung (recognition of the diploma) required in advance?
What happens if no job is found within the year?
What financial threshold is needed for the Chancenkarte in 2026?
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “Chancenkarte in Germany (the opportunity card)” in Germany. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.