Opportunity card (Chancenkarte)

An Opportunity card (Chancenkarte) is a residence permit for the purpose of seeking gainful employment or following measures for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. It can be issued in particular to foreign jobseekers who have entered the country with a visa issued for this purpose or who are already in Germany as a skilled worker with a residence permit for gainful employment.

The Opportunity card (“Chancenkarte”) is usually issued for one year as a so-called “Such-Chancenkarte”. If the requirements are met, it is possible to change from the Opportunity card to any other residence permit at any time.

With an Opportunity card for job searches (Such-Chancenkarte), employment of up to 20 hours per week is permitted. Trial employment is also possible for a maximum of two weeks at a time. Trial employment is permitted if it meets one of the following requirements:
  • It is qualified employment,
  • the trial employment is aimed at training or
  • the trial employment is suitable for being taken up as part of a measure for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in accordance with § 16d of the Residence Act.
Self-employment is not permitted with an Opportunity card for job searches.

Tip:
Would you like to seek gainful employment in Germany after completing your studies, vocational training, professional recognition or research work?
Then it is more advantageous for you to apply for a “Residence permit to seek for a job following a stay in Germany” (see section “More information”).
In contrast to the Opportunity card for job searches, this residence permit is generally issued for 18 months and permits any gainful employment (including self-employment) without restriction.

Procedure
1. Carry out the online application.
  • Please have all the necessary documents ready for this in PDF format if possible. However, you can also still photograph and upload the documents during the application process using your smartphone or tablet. The following file formats are accepted: PDF, JPG, JPEG, and PNG. The total size of your files must not exceed 100 MB. A single file must be a maximum of 7 MB in size.
  • Before you can send off the application, you need to pay the service fee.
  • At the end you will receive a PDF document to confirm your application. This document will certify that your current residence title (national D visa, residence permit or EU Blue Card) remains valid in the federal territory beyond the previous validity date. (This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay or if your current residence title has already expired on the day of application)
  • Please therefore make sure to save this document and print a copy if possible.
  • Note: Do your spouse and child live with you in Berlin and need a residence permit? Then please do not submit a separate application. Simply enter your family members in the spaces provided in the online application. The Berlin Immigration Office will contact you regarding residence permits for your family members.
2. Once you have carried out the online application, we will check it and then contact you as soon as possible. Where necessary, we will request further documents.

3. If your application is considered to be successful, you will be given an appointment for an in-person interview. Please bring the originals of all the necessary documents with you to this appointment.

You can also access this service online

Online processing

Prerequisites

  • You would like to look for gainful employment in Germany
    The stay with an Opportunity card for job searches is primarily used to find (new) qualified employment.
    However, it can also be used to prepare for setting up a business.
  • Legal residence with a residence title
    • You have either entered the country with a national D visa for the purpose of seeking employment or already hold a residence permit for employment or an EU Blue Card in accordance with sections 18a, 18b, 18d, 18f or 18g of the Residence Act.
    • No Opportunity card for job searches can be issued after visa-free entry.
  • Secured livelihood
    The costs for housing, food, clothing, personal needs and health insurance can be covered by your own income, sufficient reserves or financial support from third parties.
  • Adequate health insurance
    You have health insurance in Germany, either in the statutory health insurance system or a comparable private health insurance.
    Foreign health insurance is not sufficient. For more information, please read the leaflet.
  • No indications of a threat to public safety or order
    • Fines alone can prevent the granting of a residence permit.
    • An application for a residence permit may not be processed while investigation proceedings are ongoing.
    • You pose no threat to the free democratic basic order or the security of the Federal Republic of Germany.
    • You are not involved in acts of violence in pursuit of political or religious goals, do not publicly call for the use of violence and do not threaten to do so.
  • Main residence in Berlin
    You live in Berlin. A second residence in Berlin is not sufficient.
  • Current email adress
    The Berlin Immigration Office will contact you via your current email address. Please also check your spam folder regularly.
  • For the online application: Consent to the electronic payment process
    The following methods of payment are available to you:
    • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
    • Paypal

Documents required

  • Application for a residence permit as an Opportunity card for job searches
    • only possible online
    • You will receive a PDF document to confirm your application. This document will certify that your current residence title (national D visa, residence permit or EU Blue Card) remains valid in the federal territory beyond the previous validity date. (This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay or if your current residence title has already expired on the day you apply.)
    • Please therefore make sure to save this document and print a copy if possible.
  • In the case of an application being filed by an authorised representative: power of attorney stating the subject matter of the procedure
  • Passport copies (in color)
    • Copies of the data pages (with your photo and personal data) are required:
    • Additionally, if you have entered the country with a national D visa to look for a job: Page with entry stamp
  • Copy of your current residence permit (visa, residence permit or EU Blue Card)
  • Proof of your residence
    • Certificate of registration at the main residence (Melde-Bestätigung) or
    • lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord (Wohnungsgeber-Bestätigung)
  • Proof of the size and cost of the living space
    • Tenancy agreement (without house rules or other annexes) and
    • Proof of the current monthly costs (rent with utility costs included – “Warmmiete”), e.g. bank statements
  • Proof of livelihood
    For example: informative bank statement, certificates of earnings, scholarship
  • Proof of your health insurance
    • If you have statutory health insurance: electronic health card (copy front and back) or a current confirmation from the health insurance company
    • In the case of private health insurance: certificate from the insurer regarding the scope and costs of the insurance in accordance with § 257 Para. 2a SGB V. V. Please point out to your insurer that you need the certificate for a residence permit for gainful employment.

Fees

The fee must be paid before you send off the online application (by credit card or PayPal).

  • 100.00 euro for issuance after entry with a national D visa
  • 98.00 euro for issuance when changing from an EU Blue Card or a residence permit to employment
For Turkish nationals (for issuance after entry or when changing from another residence title):
  • 22.80 euro: up to the age of 24
  • 37.00 euro: as from the age of 24
A refund is not possible in the event that the application is withdrawn if we have already begun to process the application (by examining the documents you sent or sending you an appointment for an in-person interview).

Legal basis

Average time to process request

  • You will receive an appointment for an interview if your application is reviewed positively.
  • Following the appointment, it will take at least 4 weeks until the residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be picked up.

More information

Notes on responsibility

This service can only be taken advantage of in the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) at Keplerstrasse 2.

Your point of contact

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