Germany's Opportunity Card: Move First, Job-Hunt Later — Plus a Free Job Fair on 28 October

Most work visas make you find the job first and move second. Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) flips it: score 6 points, and you can move to Germany for up to 12 months to find qualified work — no job offer needed before you travel.

The 6-point test, simply explained

Two routes in. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you don't need points at all. Everyone else takes the points route — you need a recognised degree or 2-year vocational qualification, German A1 or English B2, and at least 6 points from:

• Qualification: partial recognition of your foreign qualification — 4 points
• Experience: 5 years in the last 7 — 3 points; 2 years in the last 5 — 2 points
• German language: B2 — 3 points; B1 — 2 points; A2 — 1 point
• Age: under 35 — 2 points; 35–40 — 1 point
• Germany connection: 6+ months legal stay in the last 5 years — 1 point
• English: C1 level — 1 point
• Shortage occupation: your job is on Germany's bottleneck list (nursing, electrical engineering, construction trades and more) — 1 point
• Partner: applying together with a qualifying spouse — 1 point

Six points gets you in — scoring higher brings no extra benefit, so there's no need to overthink the maths.

The money part

You must prove you can support yourself: €1,091 per month for 2026 (about €13,092 for the year), usually via a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Good news on funds: if you secure a part-time job contract in Germany (up to 20 hours a week) before your visa, and its net pay reaches €1,091 per month, it can replace the blocked account entirely — you would not need to show separate funds. If the part-time pay is lower, a partial blocked account can top up the difference. While job-hunting you can work part-time up to 20 hours a week and do two-week trial placements. Land a qualified job and the card converts to a work residence permit. Visa fee: €75.

Free German-government job fair — 28 October

The German Federal Employment Agency is running "Make it in Germany – Take your chance", a free online job fair on 28 October 2026 via the official EURES portal — and registration is open now. Only Germany-based employers take part, so every conversation is with a real German company. Sectors hiring: healthcare, IT, engineering and skilled trades, hospitality, and education —71 jobs from 26 employers are already listed.

How to register (free): download the form on europeanjobdays.eu and email it together with your CV in a single email to take-your-chance@arbeitsagentur.de. The organisers reply with next steps.

What this means for you

• No job offer? No problem — the Opportunity Card is built for exactly your situation.
• Check your 6 points first — age, language and experience are the levers most applicants underestimate.
• Don't miss 28 October — a free online fair with German employers hiring now.

Germany Opportunity Card — frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer before I apply for the Germany Opportunity Card?

No. The Chancenkarte is designed for job-hunting after you arrive: score 6 points and you can move to Germany for up to 12 months to find qualified work, with no job offer needed before you travel.

How many points do I need, and what counts?

At least 6 points, from qualification recognition, work experience, German or English language, age, a Germany connection, a shortage occupation, or a qualifying spouse applying with you. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you do not need points at all.

How much money do I need to show?

€1,091 per month for 2026 (about €13,092 for the year), usually via a blocked account (Sperrkonto). The Germany visa fee for the Opportunity Card is €75. Exception: a part-time job contract in Germany (up to 20 hours a week) whose net pay reaches €1,091 per month can replace the blocked account — a lower part-time salary can be topped up with a partial blocked account.

Can I work while I look for a job in Germany?

Yes — part-time up to 20 hours a week, plus two-week trial placements. If you land a qualified job, the card converts to a work residence permit.

How do I register for the free 28 October job fair?

Download the form on europeanjobdays.eu and email it together with your CV in a single email to take-your-chance@arbeitsagentur.de. The organisers reply with next steps.

Not sure you score 6 points?

Get a free Chancenkarte points check from Province Immigration — an immigration consultant in Delhi for Germany, Canada and Australia, and a best immigration consultant in India award winner — and we'll help you register for the 28 October job fair too. Call or WhatsApp +91 98961 96762, or write to info@provinceimmigration.com.

Note: figures reflect 2026 requirements; confirm details on official German government portals before applying.