Information Guide › Before deciding
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): points and eligibility
One year in Germany to look for qualified work without a job offer — requirements, the points system, and what you may do while searching.
Reviewed by: Hazem Ibrahim (M. Sc.) · 2026-08-03 Reviewed
The Opportunity Card (§ 20a Residence Act, introduced June 2024) lets qualified non-EU nationals enter Germany to search for skilled employment without a contract in hand.
Key figures
- Minimum points6 points
- Validity12 months (extension possible)
- Part-time work allowedup to 20 hours per week
- Trial employmentup to two weeks per employer
- Monthly means required (2026)EUR 1,091
- FeeEUR 75
Start with the self-check
The free self-check on Make it in Germany tells you within minutes whether six points are within reach.
Checklist
- Run the official self-check
- Check your degree in anabin
- Prepare language evidence
Official sources
- Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card (official portal)German Federal Government · 2026-08-03
- BAMF — Federal Office for Migration and RefugeesFederal Office for Migration and Refugees · 2026-08-03
- Residence Act § 20a (Aufenthaltsgesetz)Federal legislation · 2026-08-03
General organisational information — not legal advice and not representation before authorities.