What is the German opportunity card (Chancenkarte)?

The opportunity card (Chancenkarte) is a type of National Visa. It allows you to stay in Germany for 12 months to find a job. It mostly replaces the job seeker visa.

The opportunity card lets you work 20 hours per week while you look for a full time job.1 To work full time, you must get a work visa or a Blue Card.

The opportunity card does not allow self-employment, but you can convert it to a freelance visa.2

You must apply for a job seeker visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country.

How to apply for an opportunity card

Sources and footnotes
  1. §20a Abs. 2 AufenthG 

  2. Kathleen Parker at Red Tape Translation (December 2024), Frankfurt am Main (December 2024)