Updated · NextMigrate Team
Germany Opportunity Card (Job Seeker Visa) 2026: How to Apply
Searching for "Germany job seeker visa"? The visa you are looking for no longer exists for people abroad. On 1 June 2024, Germany replaced it with the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). It is the only way to move to Germany to look for work without a job offer.
The short answer: As of October 2026, you can get the Opportunity Card in one of two ways. Either your degree or vocational qualification is fully recognised in Germany, or you score at least 6 points and have German A1 or English B2. You must show €1,091 for each month of your stay (€13,092 for a full year). The card lasts up to 1 year, and you can work up to 20 hours a week while you search (§ 20a Residence Act).
What happened to the job seeker visa?
The old visa let skilled workers from abroad spend 6 months in Germany looking for work. It had no points and no work rights.
Today, the job search permit in § 20 of the Residence Act only covers people who studied, trained or did research in Germany. Graduates get up to 18 months to find a job (§ 20 Residence Act). If you are applying from outside Germany, § 20 does not apply to you. Your route is the Opportunity Card under § 20a.
So when an agent or an old blog post sells you a "6-month job seeker visa" from abroad, treat it as a red flag.
Opportunity Card at a glance
| Rule | What you need (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | A university degree, or vocational training of at least 2 years, recognised by the state where you got it | § 20a |
| Language | German A1 or English B2 (not needed if your qualification is fully recognised) | § 20a |
| Points | At least 6, unless fully recognised | Residence Act annex |
| Proof of funds | €1,091 a month; €3,309 minimum; €13,092 for 12 months | German Embassy Nairobi, 2026 |
| Visa fee | €75 | German Embassy Cairo, April 2026 |
| Length | Up to 1 year | § 20a |
| Work while searching | Up to 20 hours a week, plus trial work of up to 2 weeks per employer | § 20a |
Route 1: Your qualification is fully recognised
If Germany fully recognises your degree or vocational qualification, you count as a skilled worker (Fachkraft). You do not need points, and you do not need a language test for the card.
For degrees, check anabin. You want your university rated H+ and your degree listed as equivalent ("entspricht"). If it is not listed, ask the ZAB for a Statement of Comparability (ZAB). For vocational and regulated jobs, start at Anerkennung in Deutschland.
Route 2: The points system
If your qualification is not fully recognised, you need 6 points. You also need the basics first: a state-recognised qualification and German A1 or English B2. Points do not count until those are in place.
| What you have | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial recognition of your qualification in Germany | 4 |
| German B2 or higher | 3 |
| German B1 | 2 |
| German A2 | 1 |
| English C1 or higher | 1 |
| 5+ years of work experience in the last 7, linked to your qualification | 3 |
| 2+ years of work experience in the last 5, linked to your qualification | 2 |
| Qualification in a shortage occupation | 1 |
| Age 35 or under | 2 |
| Age 36 to 40 | 1 |
| 6+ months of legal stay in Germany in the last 5 years (not as a tourist) | 1 |
| Spouse or partner who also qualifies applies with you | 1 |
Source: Residence Act annex and § 20b.
Example: You are 32, you have 3 years of work in your field and English at C1. That is 2 + 2 + 1 = 5 points. One more step, German A2, takes you to 6.
Not sure where you land? Run your numbers in our Opportunity Card points calculator. It takes 2 minutes.
How much money you need
You must show €1,091 for each month you plan to stay. The minimum is €3,309 (for 91 days). For a full year it is €13,092 (German Embassy Nairobi, 2026).
Most people use a blocked account (Sperrkonto). You pay in the full amount and can only take out a fixed sum each month once you arrive. Several German-approved providers offer one online. Compare their fees before you pick.
Two other ways can work:
- A formal letter of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone in Germany who will cover your costs.
- A part-time job contract in Germany that pays enough.
Do not mix this up with the student visa. Students need €11,904 a year (€992 a month) in a blocked account. The Opportunity Card needs more: €13,092 a year.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your qualification. Use anabin, or apply to the ZAB. This can take 2 to 3 months, so start first.
- Book a language test. You need German A1 or English B2 for the basics. Higher German levels also earn points.
- Count your points. Only claim points you can prove with papers: certificates, employer letters with dates and duties, and test results.
- Open your blocked account and fund it before your appointment.
- Get health insurance that covers you from the day you arrive.
- Book a national (D) visa appointment at the German mission in your country. Many use an outside service provider. Slots can take weeks or months, so book early.
- Attend the appointment with originals and copies. Pay the €75 fee.
- Travel and register your address (Anmeldung) soon after you arrive.
For help gathering papers, see our guide to the documents you need to migrate abroad. For the interview, read how to pass a visa interview.
Not sure which country you’d qualify for?
6 quick questions about your age, skills and English. Free, 2 minutes, results on screen. No sign-up.
Free eligibility check →Working while you search
The Opportunity Card is not just a search permit. You can:
- Work up to 20 hours a week in any job.
- Do trial work of up to 2 weeks with an employer, if the job matches your qualification.
- Take German classes and go to interviews.
Use the part-time work to cover costs, but keep your eye on the real goal: a full-time job that matches your skills.
From Opportunity Card to a work permit
Once you get a qualified job offer, you switch to a work permit inside Germany. You do not have to go home.
- EU Blue Card: for degree holders with a job paying at least €50,700 a year in 2026, or €45,934.20 for shortage jobs and recent graduates. Blue Card holders can get permanent residence after 27 months, or 21 months with German B1.
- Skilled worker permit (§ 18a / § 18b): for recognised workers whose job pays less than the Blue Card line.
- Follow-on Opportunity Card: if you have a qualified job offer but do not meet the rules for any other permit, you can extend the card by up to 2 years. This needs approval from the Federal Employment Agency (§ 20a).
Common mistakes
- Applying for the old visa. There is no "job seeker visa" for applicants abroad any more. Ask for the Opportunity Card.
- Claiming points you cannot prove. Every point needs a document. Vague employer letters cost people points.
- Skipping the qualification check. No recognised qualification means no card, however many points you have.
- Underfunding the blocked account. Fund it for the months you ask for, not the minimum, if you want a full year.
- Waiting to learn German. English works in some tech jobs, but most employers and landlords want German. Each level also adds points.
- Paying an agent for a "guaranteed" card. No one can guarantee a German visa. Read how to avoid immigration scams first.
Frequently asked questions
Does Germany still have a job seeker visa?
Not for people applying from abroad. Since 1 June 2024 the route is the Opportunity Card. The § 20 job search permit now only covers people who studied, trained or did research in Germany.
How many points do I need for the Opportunity Card?
6 points, plus German A1 or English B2 and a recognised qualification. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you need no points at all.
How much money do I need?
€1,091 for each month of your stay, at least €3,309, and €13,092 for a full year. A blocked account is the usual way to show it.
Can I work on the Opportunity Card?
Yes. Up to 20 hours a week in any job, plus trial work of up to 2 weeks per employer.
How long is the Opportunity Card valid?
Up to 1 year. If you find a qualified job but do not fit another permit, a follow-on card can run up to 2 more years.
Can my family come with me?
The card is for your job search, so plan to bring family once you hold a work permit. If your spouse also qualifies, you can both apply and one of you gets 1 extra point.
Your next step
Check your points first. If you reach 6, start your qualification check and blocked account now. If you fall short, German A2 or B1 is usually the fastest way to close the gap. For the bigger picture, see our migrate to Germany guide.
The free eligibility check asks 6 questions (age, education, experience, English, target countries) and gives you a quick read on your options in 2 minutes.
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