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The Opportunity Card (§ 20a Residence Act) offers the possibility of entering Germany for the purpose of seeking employment, thereby facilitating contact with employers in Germany. The goal of the search can be either employment or self-employment, as well as measures for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, such as a recognition partnership.

A distinction is made between the Job Search Opportunity Card and the Follow-up Opportunity Card.

Job Search Opportunity Card

The Opportunity Card is initially issued for a period of up to one year as a Job Search Opportunity Card.

An important prerequisite for the Opportunity Card is proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses for the entire duration of the stay in Germany with the Opportunity Card. Currently, the monthly standard for this is €1,091 (as of 2026). Proof of sufficient funds can be provided, for example, by means of a blocked account or a declaration of commitment.

For the other special requirements, a distinction is made between skilled workers and unskilled workers. Third-country nationals who are considered skilled workers can receive an Opportunity Card without any additional requirements. A skilled worker is someone who has completed a domestic (German) vocational training program or has a foreign vocational qualification that is equivalent to a German vocational training program (skilled worker with vocational training) or has a German, recognized foreign, or foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree (skilled worker with academic training).

All other third-country nationals who are not considered skilled workers must meet additional requirements in order to obtain an Opportunity Card.
Firstly, they must provide proof of a professional qualification. The professional qualification may be a vocational training lasting for at least two years, or a university degree. The qualification must be officially recognized in the country in which it was obtained. Alternatively, proof of a vocational qualification issued abroad by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) can be furnished, provided that the training complies with the requirements of the Vocational Training Act in terms of content, duration, and type.

The Central Agency for Foreign Education (ZAB) checks whether the qualification obtained is recognized in the country in which it was obtained. For university degrees, the ZAB issues a certificate evaluation. If the foreign university is listed in the "Anabin" database with the status "H+" and the degree is marked as "equivalent" or "conditionally comparable", the foreign university degree is considered to be state-recognized. In this case, the ZAB's certificate evaluation is not necessary. For training courses, the ZAB issues digital information on professional qualifications. Alternatively, the partial recognition certificate issued by the competent recognition authority can also serve as proof.

Secondly, they have to prove their language proficiency in German (at least A1 level) or English (at least B2 level).

In addition, at least six points must be achieved under the points system. Points are awarded, for example, for partial recognition of foreign professional qualifications (4 points), good German language skills at level B2 (3 points), sufficient German language skills at level B1 (2 points), adequate German language skills at level A2 (1 point), English language skills at level C1 (1 point), professional experience of at least 5 years (3 points), professional experience of at least 2 years (2 points), professional qualification in a shortage occupation (1 point), age under 35 (2 points), age under 40 (1 point), previous stay of at least 6 months in Germany (1 point), spouse/partner also applying for the Opportunity Card (1 point).

Within the scope of the Job Search Opportunity Card, a secondary occupation may be pursued for a maximum of 20 hours per week on average and a trial employment may be pursued for a maximum of two weeks at a time. The trial employment must be a qualified employment. Alternatively, it must be aimed at training or be suitable for inclusion in a recognition measure.

The approval of the Federal Employment Agency of Germany is not required for the Job Search Opportunity Card, nor for secondary or trial employment.

A Job Search Opportunity Card can only be reissued if the person has stayed abroad or in Germany with permission for at least as long as the previous stay with the Opportunity Card.

Follow-up Opportunity Card

The Opportunity Card can be extended at any time during the stay with the Job Search Opportunity Card for up to two years as a Follow-up Opportunity Card if qualified domestic employment has been found. An occupation is considered skilled if it usually requires skills, knowledge, and abilities that are acquired during skilled vocational training or a course of study. Helper and trainee positions are therefore not permitted.

Extension as a Follow-up Opportunity Card is only possible if the person from abroad does not meet the requirements for the issuance of another residence permit (as a skilled worker or for persons with extensive professional experience). The two years with the Follow-up Opportunity Card should make it possible to fulfill the remaining requirements for a longer-term residence permit in Germany, such as the two years of professional experience required for a residence permit for persons with extensive professional experience.