Guides · Opportunity Card
Opportunity Card: calculate your points — do you pass the threshold?
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a residence permit that lets you enter Germany without a job offer and search for one for a year. It is points-based; the threshold is six. The calculator below is the table from the law itself — §20b AufenthG, not an estimate.
Updated: 3 September 2026
What the card gives — and what it does not
The Opportunity Card is not a work visa but a job-search permit: you stay in Germany for up to a year and look for work. During that time you may work up to an average of 20 hours a week and take trial jobs of up to two weeks each. Once you have a contract, the card can be extended by up to two years with agency approval (Folge-Chancenkarte) or you switch directly to a work permit.
A person with full recognition (a Fachkraft) receives the card without points. The points system is for those whose recognition is not yet complete.
Prerequisites — before points
- Education: a state-recognised vocational qualification of at least two years in your country, or a state-recognised university degree. If a German authority has issued a partial-equivalence decision (compensation measures required), this requirement is waived.
- Language: German at least A1, or English at least B2. With a certificate.
- Livelihood: your living costs in Germany must be secured — usually a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a declaration of commitment. The annual amount is on the consulate's page; we do not print a figure here, it changes yearly.
- The suitability of your qualification is confirmed by the competent German body (ZAB or the professional authority).
Points calculator
The items and points below are taken from the annex table of the Residence Act. The threshold is six. Language points do not add up: only the highest level counts; the same applies to experience.
Your points
2/ 6
Prerequisite missing: without a recognised qualification of at least 2 years (or a partial-equivalence decision) and German A1 / English B2, points are not counted.
- Age 35 or under+2
Sources: §20a AufenthG (gesetze-im-internet.de) · §20b AufenthG · Anlage — puan tablosu · Make it in Germany — Chancenkarte
What happens once you pass
If your points suffice, you apply at the German consulate in Turkey: passport, diploma and translation, language certificate, proof of funds, health insurance, accommodation. The card is issued for up to a year; the real goal is to find a job within that time and switch to a skilled-worker permit.
The card allows job searching; it does not find a job. Every week of the year spent without applying comes off the card's life — starting the application work before you travel is the sensible route.
What Kelyvaro does
Kelyvaro is the tool for the 'finding a job' part: it finds postings that fit your occupation, prepares a German CV and a tailored letter for each, and extracts the real application address; you approve the sending. You can start applying before the card — direct application from Turkey is free for anyone, and with a contract in hand you may not need the Opportunity Card at all.
FAQ
- Can I work in Germany with the Opportunity Card?
- In a limited way: up to an average of 20 hours a week, plus trial jobs of up to two weeks. Full-time work requires switching to a work permit with an employment contract.
- What if my points are not enough?
- The biggest items are German B2 (3), five years of experience (3) and a partial-equivalence decision (4). The partial-equivalence decision also waives the education prerequisite.
- Is there an age limit?
- No. Age 35 and under scores 2 points, 36–40 scores 1; above that scores nothing but you can still apply.
- Opportunity Card or a direct job?
- If you have a contract, a direct work visa is faster and unrestricted. The Opportunity Card is the in-person search route for those who cannot find a contract from abroad.
Before the card
Start the job search today, from Turkey.
Kelyvaro finds postings for your occupation and prepares your German CV and letter; you approve the sending. Signing up and your first application are free.