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Make it in Germany Portal provides official guidance on the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), which has largely replaced and improved upon the older Job Seeker Visa for non-EU nationals looking to work in Germany.
Key Differences
| Feature | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Traditional Job Seeker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active (Replaced old job seeker framework) | Older / Mostly phased out for new applicants |
| Validity Duration | Up to 12 months | Up to 6 months |
| Work Rights | Allows part-time work up to 20 hours/week and trial work (up to 2 weeks) | No work rights allowed during the search period |
| Qualification Route | Full recognition OR minimum 6 points via a points system | Requires a fully recognized university degree or vocational training |
| Language Requirement | German A1 or English B2 (if qualifying via points) | Varies, often stricter proof of professional readiness |
Core Eligibility & Requirements
1. Financial Proof
You must prove you can support yourself without public funds.
This usually requires a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding roughly €13,092 per year (amounts may vary slightly based on annual adjustments).
2. Qualification Paths
Full Skilled Worker Path: If your foreign degree or vocational qualification is fully recognized as equivalent to German standards, you can apply directly without needing points.
Points-Based Path: If your degree is only partially recognized or not directly equivalent, you must score at least 6 points based on language proficiency, professional experience, age, and ties to Germany.
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