The Chancenkarte is a tool of German immigration policy that has transformed approaches to labor migration. Since June 1, 2024, this program has opened the country’s doors to qualified professionals from third countries, allowing them to come to Germany without a prior employment contract.
What is the Chancenkarte in Germany?
The Chancenkarte 2025 represents a strategic initiative to address Germany’s long-term economic challenges by attracting skilled workers. Despite a slow start, the program is gradually gaining momentum and is becoming an important channel for attracting international talent to the German economy.
The Chancenkarte program is based on a points-based assessment system, in which applicants (to receive a residence permit) must score at least 6 points based on criteria including education, language skills, professional experience, and age. Basic requirements include proficiency in German at level A1 or English at level B2, a university degree, or two years of vocational training.
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Who can receive the Opportunity Card in Germany?
German authorities have developed a two-tier system for accessing the program, taking into account the various professional skills and life circumstances of applicants.
Direct Path for Recognized Specialists
Holders of degrees recognized in Germany receive direct access to the program without the need for points. This privileged category includes graduates of German universities and those whose qualifications are listed in the Anabin database. In practice, this means that an engineer with a degree from Bauman Moscow State Technical University or a programmer with a degree from a recognized European technical university can apply immediately.
Holders of work permits in regulated professions (doctors, teachers, lawyers) are also exempt from the points system. Their qualifications have already undergone rigorous review by German professional chambers, providing sufficient guarantee of compliance with local standards.
Points System
Other candidates must achieve a score of 6 points out of a maximum of 11. Educational criteria form the basis for the assessment. Partial recognition of a foreign qualification earns a maximum of 4 points. This applies to situations where a diploma is not fully recognized, but its level meets German vocational education standards. Possession of an academic degree or equivalent qualification also earns 4 points.
Professional experience is graded by time periods. Five years of work experience in the same field within the last seven years earns 3 points. Two years of experience within the previous five years earns 2 points.
Knowledge of the German language provides additional advantages in the points system. Level B2 earns 3 points, which is half the required minimum. Language proficiency at level B1 earns 2 points, and a basic level A2 earns 1 point. English plays a supplementary role. Fluency at level C1 adds 1 point to the overall score. Interestingly, native English speakers are exempt from the requirement to provide documentation of their language skills.
Benefits and Opportunities
The Opportunity Map opens up unique horizons for skilled professionals traditionally considered inaccessible under other visa types. A key advantage of the program is that it eliminates the need for a prior employment contract. The main benefits of the Opportunity Card include:
- Visa-free entry to look for work without a prior employment contract;
- The right to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week with the potential to earn €1,200-€1,600 per month;
- Flexible job search period of 12 months, extendable to up to 3 years with an employment contract;
- Trial work with potential employers for up to 2 weeks without restrictions;
- Simplified transition to a work visa or EU Blue Card upon employment;
- Full access to health insurance and social programs;
- The card is valid throughout Germany;
- Children are included when spouses apply jointly;
- Work experience is counted. The period on the chance card is taken into account when obtaining a permanent residence permit.
Processing Time
Official processing times for applications vary from 4 weeks to 6 months. In practice, most decisions are made within 6-8 months. Delays occur if additional document verification or the applicant’s financial situation is required.
The consular fee is €75 regardless of the outcome of the application; children under 18 pay half of this amount. Payment is made in local currency at the exchange rate on the day of application submission. No refund is given in case of refusal.
Rights and Restrictions
The card is valid throughout Germany, with no regional restrictions. This freedom of movement distinguishes the program from similar initiatives in other European countries, where migrants are often tied to a specific region or state. A specialist can search for work simultaneously in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, choosing the best offers.
Upon receiving a job offer, the card can be extended for an additional 2 years. This means a potential three-year period for establishing yourself in the German labor market—sufficient time for full professional integration.
Transitioning to a full work permit occurs without leaving the country. The procedure is simplified to a minimum: simply submit an application to the local immigration office with a copy of your employment contract.
Financial Obligations and Social Rights
The requirement to prove financial solvency in the amount of €1,091 per month remains valid for the entire period of residence. Income from authorized work of up to 20 hours per week can serve as proof of such solvency. Access to health insurance is provided on an equal basis with residents, but is paid for separately. The basic package costs €100-120 per month.
Validity
The basic validity period of the Chances Card is 12 months. This duration is calculated based on the realities of the German labor market, where the average time to find a skilled job is 6-8 months. One year provides sufficient buffer time for adaptation, market research, and interviews without rushing.
Consulates issue cards for a period consistent with financial security. If funds are blocked for 6 months, the card will remain valid for that period. This approach reduces the financial barrier for those prepared to undertake an intensive job search within a short timeframe.
The key requirement for renewal is approval of the job offer by the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit). This involves checking the vacancy’s suitability for the applicant’s qualifications and market wages. The procedure takes 2-4 weeks and is mandatory even for highly qualified specialists.
The extended card imposes significant restrictions on employment. The holder can only work under the contract specified in the permit. Part-time work of up to 20 hours per week, available during the basic period, is no longer possible. This measure is aimed at preventing the program from being used for unskilled labor.
What documents are required
Compiling a dossier for the Chance Card requires a meticulous approach, as each document undergoes a thorough review by consular services. The basic package of documents may include:
- A valid passport. Issued no earlier than 10 years prior to application, valid for at least 12 months after the intended date of entry, and containing at least two blank pages.
- Biometric photographs no older than 6 months.
- VIDEX application form. Completed online on the consulate’s website, printed, and signed (2 copies).
- Proof of financial solvency in the amount of €1,091 per month.
- A certificate of a blocked account (Sperrkonto) in a German bank for the entire period of stay.
- A higher education diploma or a certificate of professional training for at least 2 years.
- Proof of recognition of qualifications. One option:
- An extract from the Anabin database indicating the educational institution and specialty, or a ZAB certificate confirming compliance with German educational standards.
- A work permit for a regulated profession (for doctors, teachers, lawyers).
- A certificate of German language proficiency at levels A1-C2 from a recognized center.
- Health insurance for the entire period of stay with coverage of at least €30,000.
- Proof of residence in Germany.
Family Reunification
The unique feature of the program is that it opens doors for qualified professionals, but creates temporary barriers for their loved ones. Holders of the Chance Card cannot directly use the family reunification procedure. This restriction is due to the temporary nature of the status and the requirements of §30 of the Residence Act, according to which the residence permit must be valid for at least one year before applying for family reunification.
The only way to immediately relocate with a family is for both spouses to apply for the chance card simultaneously. This option requires each partner to individually meet the points system and educational criteria. When applying jointly, minor children are automatically included in the program without having to apply separately. This benefit applies to all children under 18.
The cost of a family relocation increases significantly with the addition of additional family members. In addition to the basic €13,092 for the main applicant, an additional €4,800 is required annually for the spouse and €3,600 for each child. A family of four must set aside €24,912.
Step-by-Step Process
The average time from the beginning of preparation to receiving a visa is 6-8 months, but this can vary depending on the region of application and the complexity of the case.
Points-based system calculation. Conduct a detailed analysis of your qualifications, experience, and skills to achieve a minimum score of 6 points.
- Documentation review. Check the availability and validity of all required documents, including diplomas, language certificates, and professional experience certificates.
- Opening a blocked account. The process of opening a Sperrkonto at a German bank for €13,092 for an annual stay. A blocked account is considered the most reliable way to prove financial solvency.
- Obtaining health insurance that meets German standards with coverage of at least €30,000.
- Checking the recognition of education. Determine the status of your diploma in the Anabin database or obtain a ZAB opinion on compliance with German standards. Partial recognition through the BQFG can take 3-4 months but is worth 4 points.
- Obtaining language certificates. Passing official German or English language exams at accredited centers. Certificates must be obtained no earlier than 2 years prior to application. Create an account on the digital.diplo.de portal. Registration with two-factor authentication is required for citizens of countries where online submission is available. Alternatively, an appointment at the consulate for in-person submission is required.
- Complete the VIDEX online application. Enter your personal information in a special form. The application must be completed accurately—any corrections in the printed version are not permitted.
- Appear in person at the consulate. Complete the biometric registration procedure, pay the consular fee, and attend a brief interview.
- Obtain a Category D visa. Receive a passport with a national visa affixed to it, valid for 90 days for entry into Germany. The visa is not a final guarantee of your chances; it merely grants entry for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit.
- Residence registration (Anmeldung). Mandatory notification of the authorities of your actual residence address within 14 days of arrival. Without this document, it is impossible to open a bank account, obtain a tax identification number, or obtain permanent health insurance.
- Apply for a chance card at the Ausländerbehörde. Obtain a residence permit at the local immigration office. A temporary residence permit is issued immediately and allows legal residence in the country while the card is being processed.
The entire process, from initial preparation to receiving the Chance Card, requires an investment of €2,600, not including funds blocked in the account. Successfully completing all stages directly depends on thorough preparation and adherence to the timelines of each procedure.
Assistance in Obtaining
Professional preparation of the Chance Card application transforms a complex, multi-stage process into a manageable one with a predictable outcome. Consular refusal statistics demonstrate the critical importance of expert support: up to a quarter of applications are rejected due to incorrect point calculations, and another 25% are rejected due to incomplete documents.
Expert support eliminates the main risks of refusal through a detailed audit of the document base and a preliminary assessment of eligibility. Our company’s experienced specialists prepare documents, taking into account all the nuances of educational recognition, language certificates, and professional experience. This approach allows us to identify weaknesses in the application at the preparation stage, when they can still be corrected without financial loss.
Preparatory processes require a thorough understanding of the German immigration system. Misinterpreting document requirements or submission deadlines can result in months of lost work and the need to start the process over again. Request a consultation, where we will thoroughly analyze your situation and offer the best possible outcome.
I have been working in the visa field since 2011. I started with student visas (UK, Canada, USA), and then moved on to more complex cases. He personally accompanied the entire process of obtaining and extending his wife’s rare UK visa at that time.
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