Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) for job search

The Chancenkarte (opportunity card) lets third-country nationals enter Germany to look for work. It is a residence permit for job search and can also be used for self-employment or for recognition measures for foreign professional qualifications. 12

Who needs this

• You need the Chancenkarte if you want to come to Germany for job search. 12
• There are two groups: skilled workers (Fachkräfte) and applicants who are not yet recognised as skilled workers. Skilled workers can receive the card without additional requirements. 12
• Skilled workers are people with a German qualified vocational qualification, an equivalent foreign vocational qualification, or a German, recognised foreign, or comparable foreign university degree. 12
• For applicants who are not skilled workers, the sources require a recognised foreign vocational qualification or university degree, German at least at A1 level or English at least at B2 level, and at least six points in the points system. 12
• For applicants aged 45 and over, a suitable pension provision must be shown. 4

Step by step

1. Check whether you are applying as a skilled worker or under the points system. 124
2. Prepare proof of secured livelihood for the entire stay. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany can be used. 134
3. Gather the qualification and language documents needed for your category. 134
4. Submit the application through the overseas portal (Auslandsportal) and upload the required documents. Then submit the visa application digitally with VFS. 34
5. After the preliminary check, book an appointment at VFS to submit original documents and provide biometrics. 34
6. VFS forwards the file to the responsible German mission for the decision. 34
7. During the job search, you may work up to 20 hours per week and do trial employment for up to two weeks at a time. 14
8. If you find a qualified job, the Chancenkarte can be extended as a follow-up Chancenkarte (Folge-Chancenkarte) for up to two years. 12

Documents

• Passport with at least two free pages. 4
• Tabular CV without gaps, especially education and, if applicable, work history. 4
• A self-written letter stating which job fields and positions interest you, where you plan to apply, and where you will stay in Germany. 4
• Proof of recognised qualification: ZAB decision or digital information, or for some cases AHK/BIBB confirmation or a partial recognition decision. 34
• Proof of language skills: German from A1 or English from B2, depending on the category; acceptable certificates are listed by the mission. 134
• Proof of secured livelihood: blocked account with 1,091 euros per month, or a sponsor’s obligation letter marked “Bonität nachgewiesen”. 134
• Proof of health insurance meeting the listed conditions. 34

Cost and time

• The visa fee is 75 euros, payable in Vietnamese dong. 34
• VFS service fees also apply. 34
• The mission says to plan with a processing time of about three months; in individual cases it can take longer. 34

Deadlines

• The Chancenkarte is initially issued for up to one year. 14
• The follow-up Chancenkarte can be granted during the stay for up to two more years if qualified employment is found. 12
• A new such Chancenkarte can only be issued again after a stay abroad, or an allowed stay in Germany, at least as long as the previous stay with the card. 1
• The presented language certificate should not be older than 12 months at the time of application. 3

City by city

• Hanoi: VFS handles application intake for the German mission in Hanoi; applicants can also track their status online. 34
• Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt: VFS also handles applications for the German mission there, and the mission names the responsible representation as the consulate general in Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt. 34
• Da Nang: For Vietnam, a visa intake centre is also planned in Da Nang. 34