Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). Chancenkarte — 12-month job-search residence permit.
Points-based gateway needing 6 points + qualification recognition + German A1 or English B2. Most flexible job-seeker scheme in Europe.
For Pakistani applicants: Pakistani applicants often reach 6+ points via Bachelor + 2 yrs experience + German A2 + age under 35. Use anabin to check qualification recognition before applying.
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Opportunity Card score
Mandatory entry conditions
Qualification and language gateway
Use anabin (kmk.org) to check whether a foreign degree is equivalent. Partial recognition still qualifies.
Either German A1 or English B2 satisfies the entry gateway. B2 itself scores no points — only C1 does.
Points-scoring factors
Experience, age and ties
Under 35 scores 2 pts. Age 35–39 scores 1 pt.
Score breakdown
Mandatory entry conditions met. Points calculation applies.
- German or fully recognised foreign degree / qualification+4
- 2+ years of qualified work experience in last 5+2
- German at CEFR A1 (entry-only, no points)0 / 0
- English at CEFR C10 / 1
- Age under 35+2
- Prior legal residence in Germany (6+ months)0 / 1
- Spouse / partner also meets entry conditions0 / 1
- Role on shortage occupation list (Engpassberuf)0 / 1
The Chancenkarte requires 6 points minimum plus a recognised qualification and either German A1 or English B2. Points across language, age, experience, ties and shortage occupation are cumulative.
Your Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) answer is on this page. Your filing plan is one call away.
A free 45-minute consultation turns the eligibility check into a real action plan — which version of this route fits, what to fix in the next 90 days, and the realistic timeline.