Job-seeker visas · 🇩🇪 Germany
Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Requirements, Points & How to Apply
Up to a year in Germany to find a job — points-based, no job offer needed.
Who it’s for
Graduates and people with at least two years of vocational training who want to move to Germany and look for skilled work there. You do not need a job offer to apply.
Stay
Up to 1 year to find work (extendable up to 2 years once you have a job offer)
Work while searching
Up to 20 hours a week, plus trial work of up to 2 weeks per employer
Money
Blocked account of at least €1,091 a month (2026 figure)
Points needed
6 (or none if your qualification is fully recognised in Germany)
Requirements
- A university degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years, recognised in the country where you got it
- German at A1 or English at B2 (not needed if your qualification is fully recognised in Germany)
- At least 6 points: partial recognition of your qualification (4), shortage occupation (1), 2+ years’ experience (2) or 5+ years (3), German A2–B2 (1–3), English C1 (1), age under 35 (2) or 35–40 (1), earlier legal stay in Germany of 6+ months (1), partner who also qualifies (1)
- Proof you can support yourself: a blocked account (€1,091 a month in 2026) or a formal declaration of commitment
- Health insurance for your stay
Costs
- German visa fee (paid to the embassy)
- Blocked account for the period of stay
- Qualification recognition (anabin / ZAB) if you claim points for it
- Skylite Visa service fee — confirmed after your free eligibility check
Timeline
Recognition can take weeks to months; embassy appointments in Pakistan are in high demand, so start early.
How Skylite Visa helps
We handle it
We check you qualify, prepare your documents and submit the application, then track it to a decision.
Questions
- Do I need a job offer?
- No. That is the point of the Opportunity Card: you move first and search in Germany. Once you are hired for skilled work you switch to a work residence permit.
- Can my family come with me?
- The card is for the job-seeker. Family reunion normally follows once you hold a regular work residence permit.
- Is English enough?
- Yes for the points route — English at B2 meets the language requirement. German still earns extra points and helps you find work.
Official source: Make it in Germany (German government) — Opportunity Card · last checked 9 October 2026. Rules change — we re-confirm before you apply.
We don’t sell jobs, “work permits” or quota places — and nobody legitimately can.
A real work visa starts with a real employer. If you are recruited for work abroad, check the recruiter is licensed where you live. Be wary of anyone asking for large payments for a visa “guarantee”, a quota place, or turning a visit visa into a work visa.
Free profile check
Tell us about yourself and we’ll tell you honestly whether this route fits — before you pay anything.
We use your details only to answer your enquiry. Skylite Visa is not a government website, does not recruit for jobs abroad and never guarantees a visa.