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Opportunity Card:
Move to Germany without a Job Offer — and Find One Here
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a visa for qualified professionals that
allows you to live in Germany for up to one year while searching for a job locally.
No job offer required. No unnecessary stress. With the BCA team by your side.
Length of Stay
Up to 12 months
Language Requirement
German A1 or English B2
О визе
What Is the Opportunity Card
and How Does It Differ from a Work Visa
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a new
immigration pathway introduced by Germany
on June 1, 2024 (§20a Residence Act).
For the first time, qualified professionals from non-EU countries can come to
Germany and search for a job directly in the country — without a prior job offer and,
in many cases, without completing a full diploma recognition process beforehand.
With the Opportunity Card, you can stay in Germany for up to 12 months while
looking for employment, work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, attend
interviews, and connect with employers in person. Once you secure a qualified job,
you can usually switch to a residence permit for employment directly in
Germany — without returning to your home country.
Parameter |
Opportunity Card |
Work Visa |
|---|---|---|
Job Offer |
Not required |
Required |
Diploma Recognition |
Not always required |
Required |
Length of Stay |
Up to 12 months |
Based on employment contract |
Conversion to Residence Permit |
Without leaving Germany |
Depends on permit type |
Processing Time |
2–4 months |
3–6 months |
IT specialists, engineers, managers, designers, and other professionals who want to move to Germany first and search for employment locally instead of applying from abroad.
If your degree has not yet been recognized in Germany or is only partially recognized in the Anabin database, the Opportunity Card allows you to compensate through work experience, language skills, and other criteria.
IT professionals, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, mathematicians, and other specialists in high-demand professions may receive additional points and benefit from priority consideration.
German at A1 level or English at B2 level is the minimum requirement. Higher language proficiency can increase your score and improve your chances of approval and employment.
If you are already in Germany under a different legal basis (such as a tourist visa or §24 residence permit), switching to the Opportunity Card may allow you to secure your legal status and begin an official job search.
Points-Based System: You Need at Least 6 Points
If your qualification is not automatically recognized in Germany, eligibility is assessed through a points-based system. Points can be awarded for the following criteria:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Opportunity Card Requirements for 2026
These are the basic requirements for most applicants.
If your situation is more complex, we can help you understand the process and explore the available options.
A university degree or at least 2 years of vocational training completed at an accredited institution.
German at A1 level (basic) or English at B2 level (upper-intermediate). A language certificate is typically required.
€1,091/month — minimum €13,092 per year. Proof is typically provided through a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a German bank.
Valid health insurance covering the entire planned stay in Germany.
Required under the points-based system if your qualification is not fully recognized in Germany. If your qualification is already recognized, the points system may not apply.
A valid biometric passport is required for the application process.
Opportunity
Card Package
€2.042
€1.399
32% savings compared to ordering services separately.
Services Included in the Package · (for one applicant, prices shown without discount)
- Introductory consultation
- Review of your background and situation
- Verification of your qualification in the Anabin database
- Review of education and professional experience
- CV optimization
- Assistance with preparing a motivation letter in German
- Support with arranging suitable health insurance coverage
- Assistance with opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto)
- Review and preparation of application documents
- Creation of an online account in the Auslandsportal
- Assistance with completing the VIDEX application form
- Support with submitting the online application and documents
- Assistance with communication related to the application process
- Support with booking a consular appointment (one attempt)
- Interview preparation
Total: €2.042
* This package is available for applicants whose higher education qualification is already recognized in Germany. ** If qualification recognition is required, the Recognition Package is booked separately after the qualification check. *** Additional costs may apply for services not included in the package, such as health insurance, ZAB fees (€208), diploma translations, additional translations, courier services, and other third-party expenses if required during the process.
reviews
Relocation of Victoria’s entire family to Germany
Turning to Blue Card Agency became the first step on her journey toward employment in Europe, financial independence, and long-term stability.
The relocation story of Dmitry, a tattoo artist
Why he chose Germany, how developed the tattoo industry is here, what relocation options he considered, and the fears and questions he faced before moving.
Relocation story of a pharmacist to Germany
Is it realistic to find a job as a licensed pharmacist in a German pharmacy?
ADVANTAGES
Trust your relocation to professionals with German precision.
F.A.Q.
Still Have Questions?
We Already Have the Answers
We’ve collected the most common questions about visas, residence permits, and our services —
so you can get the information you need right away, without endless emails or waiting.
They are key but separate stages of the immigration process.
- A visa is permission to enter Germany and stay for a short period (usually up to 3–6 months). It is applied for at the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The purpose of a visa may include study, employment, family reunification, etc.
- A residence permit is authorization for long-term stay (one year or longer), which you obtain after arriving in Germany from the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). A valid reason is required, such as employment, family reunification, study, or business activity.
In short: a visa allows you to enter Germany, while a residence permit allows you to live there legally long term. In many cases, you first enter Germany with a national visa (for example, for work or family reunification) and then apply for a residence permit.
A refusal is неприятная, but not a fatal situation. The key is to act strategically.
- Carefully review the refusal letter to understand the reason and use it as the basis for your next steps.
- File an appeal (remonstration). You usually have about one month to challenge the decision.
- Address the reason for the refusal. This may involve insufficient financial proof or an incomplete set of documents. We help analyze the refusal, prepare the necessary supporting documents, and draft a strong appeal letter.
Our recommendation: Do not act blindly. A well-prepared response to a refusal significantly increases your chances of success when reapplying.
Yes, in many cases it is possible. Language requirements depend entirely on the purpose of your relocation. For work visas, English is often sufficient, and for the EU Blue Card, language requirements are generally more flexible. For family reunification, only a basic level of German is usually required. In cases of study or job seeking, English may also be acceptable. We will help you determine which program is best suited to your situation and clearly explain the exact language requirements that apply to your specific case.
- A visa itself cannot be extended in Germany. It must be converted into a residence permit at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) before the visa expires.
- A residence permit can be extended in Germany. The extension is processed by the same immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). It is important to apply in advance (we recommend 2–3 months before expiration).
To extend a residence permit, you must confirm that you continue to meet the required conditions (employment, sufficient financial means, valid purpose of stay). Important: We support our clients throughout the residence permit extension process — helping prepare the required documents and ensuring a smooth application.
Yes, absolutely. We understand that circumstances can change. You can discuss the details with your personal manager and adjust your service package according to your current situation.
Getting started is simple. You can:
- Submit a request through the contact form on our website and indicate your preferred method of communication.
- Send us an email briefly describing your situation.
- Call us during business hours.
Our manager will contact you within 24 hours, clarify the details, and schedule your initial consultation (online or in person). After the consultation, we will prepare a personalized proposal and action plan for you.
We provide real professional guarantees — not unrealistic promises such as “100% visa approval,” since the final decision always rests with government authorities. We guarantee:
- Professionalism and expertise. Full compliance of our work with German legislation and current requirements of consulates and authorities.
- Transparency. A clear contract, step-by-step plan, and fixed package pricing.
- Comprehensive support. We handle communication with official authorities, prepare and review documents, complete application forms, and draft motivation letters.
- Confidentiality. Protection and security of your personal data.
- Support at every stage. You will stay in contact with your personal manager and can track the entire process through our mobile application.
Our main goal is to achieve results, minimize the risk of refusal due to formal errors, and save you time and stress.
