Residence permit - opportunity card
<p><strong>Period of validity</strong></p>
<p>With a visa or an opportunity card, you can stay in Germany for up to 12 months to look for a job or to take measures to recognise your professional qualifications (search opportunity card). The opportunity card can be extended for up to two years if the requirements for the subsequent title are not met and you have an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified employment in Germany and the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval (follow-up opportunity card).</p>
<p><strong>Work permit</strong></p>
<p>With the Search Opportunity Card, you may work <strong>up to 20 hours per week</strong> in a part-time job. In addition, a trial employment period of two weeks is permitted. The trial employment must be qualified (no auxiliary work), aimed at training or in connection with measures to recognise professional qualifications.</p>
<p><strong><span>Visa procedure</span></strong><br><span>Third-country nationals generally require a visa to enter Germany.</span></p>
<p><span>This must be applied for at the relevant German <a href="https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/deutsche-auslandsvertretungen">diplomatic mission</a> before travelling to Germany. EU/EEA citizens do not require a visa or residence permit.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>After entering the country</span></strong></p>
<p>You must first register your place of residence at the <a href="https://www.muenchen.de/dienstleistungsfinder/muenchen/1063475/n0/">Citizens Office</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Application for a residence permit</strong></p>
<p>You must apply for a residence permit before your visa/residence permit expires. If you are allowed to enter Germany without a visa, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country.</p>
<p><span>To apply, please send us the application form and the required documents online or by post. To do this, select the following in the <a href="https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/abhkontakt/index" target="_blank">online contact form</a>:</span></p>
<ul>
 <li><span>"I have a question",</span></li>
 <li><span>Category "Issue or extension of a residence permit",</span></li>
 <li><span>Type of residence: "Residence for gainful employment/work"</span></li>
 <li><span>Subject: "Job search"</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span>After your application has been checked, you will receive an appointment from us.</span></p>
Ausländerangelegenheit Diploma Extend Extended Extension Federal Gainful Opportunity Permitted Profession Professions Qualification Qualifications Qualified Search Subsequent Third Travel Travelling Working approval contract contracts required subjects travellers without

# Residence permit - opportunity card

## Summary

The opportunity card is for foreign nationals who are looking for work in Germany or for measures to recognise a professional qualification.
## Description

**Period of validity**

With a visa or an opportunity card, you can stay in Germany for up to 12 months to look for a job or to take measures to recognise your professional qualifications (search opportunity card). The opportunity card can be extended for up to two years if the requirements for the subsequent title are not met and you have an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified employment in Germany and the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval (follow-up opportunity card).

**Work permit**

With the Search Opportunity Card, you may work **up to 20 hours per week** in a part-time job. In addition, a trial employment period of two weeks is permitted. The trial employment must be qualified (no auxiliary work), aimed at training or in connection with measures to recognise professional qualifications.

**Visa procedure**  
Third-country nationals generally require a visa to enter Germany.

This must be applied for at the relevant German [diplomatic mission](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/deutsche-auslandsvertretungen) before travelling to Germany. EU/EEA citizens do not require a visa or residence permit.

**After entering the country**

You must first register your place of residence at the [Citizens Office](https://www.muenchen.de/dienstleistungsfinder/muenchen/1063475/n0/).

**Application for a residence permit**

You must apply for a residence permit before your visa/residence permit expires. If you are allowed to enter Germany without a visa, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country.

To apply, please send us the application form and the required documents online or by post. To do this, select the following in the [online contact form](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/abhkontakt/index):

* "I have a question",
* Category "Issue or extension of a residence permit",
* Type of residence: "Residence for gainful employment/work"
* Subject: "Job search"

After your application has been checked, you will receive an appointment from us.

## Required Documents

**Search Opportunity Card**

* [**Registration**](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/wohnsitz-anmelden-oder-ummelden/1063475/n0/) of main residence in Munich
* Fully completed[**application form**](http://www.muenchen.de/rathaus/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf)
* Valid **passport or passport substitute**
* **A current**[**biometric passport photo**](https://www.bundesdruckerei.de/system/files/dokumente/pdf/Fotomustertafel-72dpi.pdf)(photo booths can be found at the Foreigners Office)
* Valid **visa** for entry (if required)
* Proof of **health insurance**(insurance card of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance company)
* Proof of **secure means of subsistence**: For example, bank statements, [declaration of commitment](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/hauptabteilung-ii-buergerangelegenheiten/1063743/) by a third party, scholarship certificate, employment contract (part-time job)
* Proof of the current amount of **monthly costs for the flat** In the case of rented flats, a current confirmation from the landlord or bank statements showing the amount of rent; in the case of owner-occupied flats, proof of instalment payments for loans and monthly housing benefit.
* For minors: Written declaration of consent from the person authorised to take care of the person (parents)

If you are a skilled worker with vocational training or an academic qualification:

* Proof of qualification as a skilled worker
* completed German vocational training, minimum duration 2 years, or
* a foreign professional qualification recognised as equivalent (notice of recognition) or
* University degree certificate: In the case of a foreign certificate, you must submit a certified German or English translation and an extract from anabin (H+ for university and degree) or a certificate evaluation from the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) for recognition.

If you have another qualification:

* Confirmation from the KMK that your qualification obtained abroad is recognised there; if you have a partial recognition certificate for your qualification, this confirmation is not required
* Proof of German language skills (level A1) or English language skills (level B2)
* Proof of the required 6 points from the points table e.g:
* Notification of partial recognition of your qualification
* Proof of German language skills level A2/B1/B2
* Proof of English language skills level C1
* Proof of professional experience gained (job references, CV)
* Proof of previous periods of residence in Germany (copy of residence permit, copy of passport with visa and entry stamps)

Follow-up opportunity card:

* Fully completed application form
* Valid passport or passport replacement
* A current biometric passport photo (photo booths are available at the Foreigners Office)
* Proof of health insurance (insurance card of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance company)
* Proof of secure means of subsistence:  
  
  For example, bank statements, submission of a declaration of commitment by a third party, scholarship certificate, employment contract (part-time job)

* Proof of the current monthly costs for the flat  
  
  For rented flats, a current confirmation from the landlord or bank statements showing the amount of rent; for owner-occupied flats, proof of instalment payments for loans and monthly housing benefit.
* Employment contract or proof of the specific job offer
* Declaration of employment
* Fully completed declaration of employment (please upload together with the employment contract)

## Prerequisites

**Search opportunity card**

You have the following qualifications:

You are a skilled worker with vocational training or an academic degree:

* Training certificate  
  
  In the case of foreign vocational training: copy of the training certificate and [recognition of the vocational training](https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/index.php)
* University degree certificate For foreign certificates: certified German or English translation and for recognition [an](https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html) extract from [anabin](https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html)(H+ for university and degree) or a [certificate evaluation from the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs](https://www.kmk.org/zab/zeugnisbewertung.html)(KMK)

**Or**You haveone of the following qualifications:

* A foreign professional qualification which is state-recognised by the state in which it was obtained and which required at least two years of training to obtain.
* A foreign university degree that is recognised by the state in which it was obtained.
* A vocational qualification obtained abroad that was acquired through training that fulfils the requirements of the Vocational Training Act for vocational training in terms of content, duration and the way it is carried out and is suitable for imparting the necessary professional skills for a training occupation in accordance with the Vocational Training Act or the Crafts Code and that has been issued by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad.

Proof of qualification must be provided at your request and at your expense. Proof must be submitted to the [Central Office for Foreign Education](https://www.kmk.org/zab/zentralstelle-fuer-auslaendisches-bildungswesen.html). If you have a notification from the recognition centre about the partial recognition of your qualification acquired abroad, this requirement does not apply.

* You have basic German language skills (level A 1) or English language skills at level B2.

* You have at least 6 points according to this table.

**Follow-up opportunity card**

If you do not fulfil the requirements for the subsequent title for gainful employment, the search opportunity card can be extended for up to two further years as a follow-up opportunity card. An employment contract or a concrete job confirmation for qualified employment in Germany is required.

## Please Note

**Change to the Chancenkarte**

You can also apply for the Chancenkarte if you are already in Germany. However, this is only possible if you are currently in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of education or employment.

## Fee Range

Adults: 100 Euro

Minors: 50 Euro

## Processing Time

10 - 12 weeks

## Legal Basis

§ Section 20a AufenthG, Section 20b AufenthG

## Questions and Answers

 
### Can I get an opportunity card again?

 

a new Chancenkarte can only be issued if you have been abroad **or** authorised to stay in Germany for at least as long after the end of the period of validity as you previously stayed in Germany on the basis of the search Chancenkarte.  


   
### When is a change of purpose possible?

 

as soon as you have either found a job offer for qualified employment or wish to become self-employed/freelance, you can apply for a corresponding residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment.   


   
### What is a state-recognised or similarly regulated training occupation?

 

a list of recognised training occupations can be found on the website of the [Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training](https://www.bibb.de/dienst/publikationen/de/19128).  


   
### How is the equivalence of the professional qualification determined?

 

equivalence can be determined through the recognition procedure. You can find more information on the [make-it-in-germany](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/anerkennung/anerkennungsverfahren)website .  


   
### Which body is responsible for recognising my professional qualification?

 

you can also  find out where you can have your qualification recognised on the [Recognition in Germany](https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/fachkraefte.php)page .  For [advice](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/abteilung-migration-integration-teilhabe/10308039/) on the recognition of professional qualifications, you can contact the Service Centre for the Development of Foreign Qualifications.  


   
### What is the difference between employment and gainful employment?

 

employment is non-self-employed work, especially in an employment relationship. Gainful employment includes employment as well as self-employment and freelance work.   


   
## Further Links

* [General Data Protection Regulation](https://stadt.muenchen.de/infos/dsgvo-datenschutzgrundverordnung.html)
* [Declaration of commitment](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/hauptabteilung-ii-buergerangelegenheiten/1063743/)
* [Register residence](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/1063475/n0/)
* [Counselling on the recognition of professional qualifications](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/abteilung-migration-integration-teilhabe/10308039/)
* [Information on the biometric passport photo](https://www.bundesdruckerei.de/system/files/dokumente/pdf/Fotomustertafel-72dpi.pdf)
* [Application for residence permit](http://www.muenchen.de/rathaus/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf)
* [Declaration on the employment relationship](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/Erklaerung_zum_Beschaeftigungsverhaeltnis.pdf)
* [Opportunity card points system](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/24_08_Chancenkarte_Punktesystem.pdf)
* [Contact form](http://muenchen.de/abhkontakt)
* [Opportunity card - Make it in Germany](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/arten/chancenkarte-jobsuche)
* [Apply online](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/abhkontakt/index)

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