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Summary: the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, under Section 20a of the Residence Act) allows non-European nationals to enter Germany for one year to look for work (or a business) without already having a job offer. If you have a recognised vocational or university qualification you are directly eligible; otherwise you must collect at least 6 points.
Who is eligible without points?
People who hold a German vocational qualification or its equivalent abroad, or a German university degree or a recognised or comparable foreign university degree, count as “skilled workers” and do not need the points system for the Opportunity Card.
If you are not a recognised skilled worker
You must meet these conditions:
- Qualification: at least two years of vocational training or a university degree that is state-recognised in the country where it was issued. ZAB (the Central Office for Foreign Education) assesses it; for universities the anabin database and for vocational training the “Digitale Auskunft zur Berufsqualifikation” are the usual tools.
- Language: German at least A1 or English at least B2.
- Points: at least 6 points.
The points table
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial recognition of a foreign qualification | 4 |
| German B2 | 3 |
| German B1 | 2 |
| German A2 | 1 |
| English C1 | 1 |
| At least 5 years of relevant work experience | 3 |
| At least 2 years of relevant work experience | 2 |
| Shortage occupation (Mangelberuf) | 1 |
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Age under 40 | 1 |
| At least 6 months of previous residence in Germany | 1 |
| Spouse or partner applies at the same time | 1 |
The points basis has been reviewed against official 2026 sources; before applying, check the up-to-date table and the exact condition of each row (such as the work-experience period) on the official portal.
Securing your living costs
You must show that you can pay your living costs during your stay; the usual amount according to official 2026 sources is about €1,091 per month. Ways to prove it: a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a financial declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a resident of Germany.
What work is permitted during the stay?
- Part-time work: up to 20 hours a week on average, without needing the employment agency’s approval.
- Trial work (Probearbeit): up to two weeks each time, in a job related to your qualification.
Duration and extension
The search card is valid for up to one year. If you find a job matching your qualification during this time, you can extend the Opportunity Card for a longer period (up to two more years) or, better, convert it directly to a suitable work residence permit (such as a Blue Card or skilled worker visa). If you have no result, you must leave the country, and to apply again you must spend some time abroad or have legal residence in Germany equivalent to the previous period.
Application steps
- Assess your qualification and, if needed, obtain an evaluation from the ZAB.
- Calculate your points and obtain a language certificate (such as Goethe or IELTS).
- Prepare the documents for living costs (blocked account or declaration of commitment).
- Submit the application on the Foreign Office’s official portal and register on the waiting list of the embassy or the relevant visa centre. For Iranians this step is challenging under current conditions; see the embassy situation guide.
- At the appointment, hand in the documents, give biometrics and pay the visa fee.
- After entering Germany, register your address and apply at the Foreigners’ Authority for the residence card.
Practical tips
- If you meet the conditions of another visa (such as a Blue Card or skilled worker visa), it is cheaper and more reliable to obtain that visa directly.
- Looking for work in advance (CV, LinkedIn, job platforms) increases the chance of converting the Opportunity Card into a work residence permit. See the guide to finding a job.
- Health insurance is required from the day of arrival; health insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my family with the Opportunity Card?
Spouses and children have specific conditions on the reunification route, and the Opportunity Card alone usually does not give a right to family reunification; the spouse can apply for an Opportunity Card at the same time and receive one point.
Is it possible without a university degree?
Yes, if you have at least two years of recognised vocational training and enough points (and language).
What if the year ends and I haven’t found a job?
You must leave the country; an immediate new application is not possible and you must observe the waiting period.
Note: this guide is general information (last reviewed: October 2026) and is not legal or immigration advice. Laws, amounts and embassy procedures change constantly, especially for Iranian applicants. Before taking any step, read the lists of documents and the official notices (Auswärtiges Amt, Make it in Germany, BAMF) and, for complex cases, consult a lawyer or authorised immigration advisor.
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