Chancenkarte - Opportunity Card (2024)

Please visit the website “Make it in Germany” for in-depth information on the “Opportunity Card” for job search. Once you have done the self-check on that website (also found here), please prepare the following documents for your visa application and book an application appointment:

• valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and with at least 2 empty pages for visa)
• application form, completed online with VIDEX, printed out twice and both forms duly signed by you
• 2 current, identical passport photos according to biometric specifications (current = not older than 6 months)
• Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information, completed and signed twice by you
• 2 copies of your passport’s data page (A4 size copies)
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the costs of living for the duration of your stay by one of the following documents:
  • Proof of a “Sperrkonto” (blocked account) in Germany with sufficient funds currently amounting to at least 1.027,-- EUR/month plus sufficient funds for the return flight OR
  • “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by a sponsor living in Germany OR
  • Statements of a current bank account etc.
• Proof of accomodation in Germany (such as a written invitation by friends or family, hotel booking or similar) – must include the actual complete address with street name, name of town and postal code
• Proof of vocational or academic training (such as bachelor’s or master’s degree, diploma) and – if applicable – prior work experience in the form of confirmation letters by previous employers

Option 1: Proof of full recognition of your qualification for Germany

• Academic degree: Anabin database printouts listing both your degree and the awarding institution OR Individual “Statement of Comparability” by anabin. Information on the anabin process can be found here
• Vocational training: Proof of recognition of your training. Where you can obtain this recognition depends on the kind of training you received. Information on how to obtain the recognition can be found here. General information on the recognition process can be found here

OR

Option 2: Score of a minimum of six points

• Mandatory training:
  • You have either
    • a completed vocational training of at least 2 years duration that is recognized by the state in which you obtained it OR
    • a completed university degree that is recognized by the state in which you obtained it
  • Either one has to be accompanied by a confirmation from the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Applications for that can be made through this website
• Mandatory language skills:
  • You have to show proof of either
    • current German skills on a level of A1 through a certificate by Goethe Institute, telc or Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD) OR
    • current English skills on a level of B2 through an acknowledged certificate, e. g. one that carries the ALTE “Qmark” certification such as IELTS or for example a TOEFL certificate.
    • Please note: confirmation by “Pearson” are not accepted as sufficient proof.
• Points are obtained for:
  • Partial recognition of vocational qualification.
    • Proof in the form of notification of partial recognition (Teil-Anerkennungsbescheid) is necessary)
  • German skills on levels A2, B1, B2, C1
    • Proof as indicated above under Mandatory language skills
  • English skills on level C1
    • Proof as indicated above under Mandatory language skills
  • Work experience in connection with the qualification
    • At least 2 years within the last 5 years, more points for 5 years within the last 7 years Proof in the form of employer’s references or certificate of employment.
    • Please note: These can and will be check for authenticity. If you hand in false documents or documents given to you without you actually having worked at the company indicated, your application will be refused.
  • If your qualification is in one of the “Shortage Occupations”
    • This will be checked by the visa section on the basis of documents that are already part of the application (proof of training, see under Mandatory)
  • If your age is below 35 or between 35 and 40 and the time of application
  • Previous stays in Germany
    • Proof that you have resided legally in Germany for a continuous period of at least six months in the last five years. Examples of such stays include study, language and work stays. Stays for the purpose of tourism or visiting people do not count. Certified copies of old passports and the visas and entry stamps they contain should be submitted as proof, as well as work contracts, rental contract.

Regardless if Option 1 or 2 applies to you, please also always hand in:

• Duly signed motivational letter / statement of purpose that must contain the following information:
  • What type of work or job you intend to do in Germany
  • If and since when you learn German
  • If you have already applied for jobs (at which company) or have already been invited to job interviews
  • Why you intend to move to Germany and not another EU country
  • Please attach proof of job applications or invitations to job interviews
• Proof of personal status in India birth certificate of applicant, Aadhar card (with English translation) if applicable
• Curriculum Vitae
• If you already are 45 years of age or older or you will turn 45 while in Germany to seek a job: attached declaration in regards to provisions for retirement, duly signed.
  • If you are successful in finding employment, but do not meet the criteria for a Blue Card EU, you will either have to show an annual income of at least 49.830,-- EUR or you have to show adequate provision for your retirement in order to obtain a residence and work permit.
• Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay
  • ONE of the following documents:
    • Proof of a private German health insurance which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date
    • Proof of a public German health insurance, which consists of a letter from your German healthcare provider, as well as a travel health insurance for the first three weeks.
    • Proof of a private foreign (including Indian) health insurance including the policy you choose which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date

• Visa fee – for further information see step 2 of the application process

Please prepare TWO identical sets of applications. Copies have to be size A4.

On the date of the visa appointment, you must have originals of all documents with you.

Kindly note that the German Mission reserves the right to ask for additional documents.

The submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted. Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a visa interview may result in the rejection of your application. Making untrue statements and/or handing in documents that do not reflect the truth will result in a rejection of your application.

Download this page as pdf.