The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a residence title that allows you to look for work in Germany. It is aimed at people who bring a qualification or can show the points required, and for many international graduates it is a route to stay in the country after their studies. This guide describes the requirements as set out in the statute and the steps where the statute defines them.
Short answer: Under § 20a of the German Residence Act, the Opportunity Card can be issued if you are a skilled worker or reach a sufficient number of points on the points table. Your living costs must be secured. The job-seeker card is valid for up to one year, and the follow-up card for up to two years. Statutory text as of November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The Opportunity Card has two routes: skilled worker status, or the points route with a sufficient score.
- The points route requires a foreign vocational qualification of at least two years, a recognised foreign university degree, or a qualification issued through a German chamber abroad.
- The language requirement is basic German or English at level B2 of the Common European Framework.
- The job-seeker card is valid for up to one year. A follow-up card can be valid for up to two years if there is an employment contract or binding offer and the Federal Employment Agency agrees.
- While holding the card, you may work on average up to 20 hours per week.
Which requirements does § 20a of the Residence Act set?
According to the wording of the statute, the Opportunity Card follows two routes. The first route requires that you are a skilled worker. The second route uses the points table in the annex to the statute, which refers to the criteria under § 20b subsection 1. On both routes you must also show that your living costs are secured.
| Requirement | What the statute provides | Note for you |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled worker or points | Skilled worker, or a sufficient score under the annex | Points for each criterion are in the annex, not in § 20a itself |
| Living costs | Must be secured | Proof is assessed by the competent authority |
| Qualification (points route) | Foreign vocational qualification of at least two years, recognised foreign degree, or chamber qualification abroad | Confirmed by a competent body |
| Language (points route) | Basic German, or English at B2 | Proof through the competent body |
The table summarises the wording without evaluating it. Whether a degree obtained in Germany counts towards the points depends on the points table and not on the paragraph that lists the requirements. The annex in the statute is where you find the details.
How long is the Opportunity Card valid?
The statute distinguishes two periods of validity. The job-seeker card allows you to look for a position for up to one year. A follow-up card can be extended by up to two years, but only if an employment contract or binding offer for qualified work exists and the Federal Employment Agency consents. The statute excludes any further extension.
A new job-seeker card requires that, after the last job-seeker card expired, you stayed outside Germany or stayed lawfully in the country for at least as long as under the previous card. According to the wording, the duration of the previous card is decisive for this period.
How many hours can you work?
The statute allows employment of on average at most 20 hours per week, as well as trial employment of no more than two weeks each. This keeps the search for a qualified position possible without making the card itself a full-time permit. How this affects tax and social insurance is a separate question that you should clarify on its own.
What steps lead to the Opportunity Card?
- Check whether you count as a skilled worker or whether you need the points route. The annex to § 20a is the basis for this.
- Collect the evidence for your qualification and your language skills, and have it confirmed by the competent body.
- Show that your living costs are secured.
- Submit the application to the authority responsible for your situation. Whether you already live in Germany affects which authority that is, so clarify this beforehand.
Which documents should you prepare?
The statute sets out the requirements but not every form in detail. To avoid delays, keep the evidence together in one folder, both digitally and on paper. Authorities can ask for originals or certified copies, and for foreign-language documents a certified translation may be required.
- A valid passport and, where applicable, your current residence title.
- Proof of your qualification and the confirmation of the competent body on recognition.
- Proof of your language skills at the level the statute requires for your route.
- Proof that your living costs are secured, for example through an employment contract, income or funds in an account.
- For a follow-up card: the employment contract or binding offer and the consent of the Federal Employment Agency.
The authority determines the exact list of documents. Ask for a current checklist before you submit, because forms and requirements can change. A complete file avoids follow-up questions.
What the Opportunity Card does not settle
The Opportunity Card is not a blanket permission for every kind of work. It allows the job search and limited employment within the weekly hours in § 20a. If you find a qualified position and want a longer-term perspective, you usually need a different title, which depends on the requirements of that title.
The statute also does not answer how the card affects health insurance and pension contributions. Clarify separately which insurance obligations arise from your employment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Opportunity Card the same as the points calculation?
No. The Opportunity Card is the residence title, while points are one element of the points route. The guide on calculating your points in the Opportunity Card explains how the score is worked out.
Do I need a job offer for the Opportunity Card?
Not for the job-seeker card, because it is designed for the search. A follow-up card requires an employment contract or binding offer and the consent of the Federal Employment Agency.
How long can I stay after my studies?
The job-seeker card is valid for up to one year. An extension is only possible through the follow-up card, which is also time-limited. Other residence titles may then be relevant, and you should clarify them with the authority.
Does this apply to people who already live in Germany?
The statute distinguishes people who are already in the federal territory. For them, the wording sets additional requirements linked to their existing residence title. Clarify this with the Foreigners Office.
What to do now
- Read the annex to § 20a and find out whether you count as a skilled worker or need the points route.
- Clarify the recognition of your qualification and your language certificates.
- Plan your finances for the search period so that you can use the job-seeker card without pressure.
Related guides
- Studying in Germany as an international student: the overview
- Opportunity Card: how to calculate your points
- Staying in Germany after your studies: which residence title fits
- Skilled immigration 2026: what changes and what is planned (in German)
- Having a foreign degree recognised: positions and deadlines
Sources: § 20a Residence Act: Opportunity Card (gesetze-im-internet.de, text retrieved November 2026)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
