The opportunity card – experiences after one year

Correct as of: July 9, 2025

What is the opportunity card?

The term "opportunity card" refers to Section 20a of the Residence Act (AufenthG). It is a visa / residence permit that allows its holder to look for a job or a measure to have foreign qualifications recognised in Germany.

 

What has happened in one year of the opportunity card?

One year after its introduction, the Opportunity Card has attracted considerable interest abroad. Its attractive name, the first points system for immigration to Germany, and its marketing campaign have all contributed to the increase in demand. However, the actual number of applications received so far is below the expected 30,000 per year expected by the federal government^[1]. Nevertheless, the Opportunity Card appears to be gaining momentum, particularly in light of recent developments in administrative processes.

First 11,000 visas issued

One year after the card came into force, the first visas have been issued. According to the German government's^[2] response to the Opportunity Card in Germany, 11,497 Opportunity Card visas were issued between 1 June 2024 and 15 June 2025. By far the most visas were issued in India (3,721), followed by China (807) and Turkey (654). A report^[3] by the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM Institute) with reference to the Federal Foreign Office, also indicates that the numbers for the first few months of 2025 were higher on average than in 2024. After the visa issuance had to get started first, more and more people are now receiving an opportunity card.

Digital application

The digitalisation of the application process is well underway. The Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office was launched comprehensively on 1 January 2025: not only, but also for the opportunity card. In practice, this means that the opportunity card can usually be applied for online. Alternatively, it is still possible to apply in person at the competent diplomatic mission abroad. With further steps towards digitalisation, representatives of the Federal Foreign Office expect that even more people will apply for the opportunity card. Despite the digital application process, a personal appointment at the German diplomatic mission abroad remains necessary. You can find out everything you need to know about the digital application process on the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office .

Practical experiences

With the first opportunity cards issued, first practical experience was now made. It shows the possibilities, but also the challenges in the implementation. You can read about a personal experience in our article.

Who is eligible for the opportunity card?

The opportunity card is intended for job-seeking third-country nationals (persons who are not nationals of EU/EEA states or Switzerland) with a university degree or non-academic vocational qualification^[4]. The title allows international talents to reach employers in Germany and is suitable for people who:

• do not yet have a job offer for qualified employment in Germany,
• have not yet found a suitable measure to recognise their professional qualifications,
• and are not looking for a place in vocational training or university in Germany. To seek a place in higher education - or in vocational training, they must apply for a visa for this purpose.

With a secure job offer already in place, other types of visa may be a more suitable option for international skilled workers. Unlike the opportunity card, proof of economic security is then usually provided through the salary, and it also gives planning security with regard to the future place of work.

The opportunity card is therefore an additional option for entering the German labour market. The visa options always depend on the individual requirements and plans. The “Make it in Germany” Quick-Check can help with orientation and show various options.

With the interactive tool “Self-Check: Opportunity Card”, the portal offers those interested the possibility to obtain a non-binding assessment of whether they fulfil the criteria for the opportunity card (either as a ‘skilled worker’ or via the points system, assuming they are able to cover their living expenses). In the first half of 2025, 67% of all users who completed the self-check, met the requirements for the opportunity card.

What potential does the opportunity card have for employers?

Many employers face challenges when recruiting international skilled workers or trainees abroad - for example, time-consuming immigration processes that make personnel planning more difficult. Hiring people who they have only got to know digitally and whose specialist knowledge cannot be accurately assessed due to their foreign qualifications is also a source of uncertainty for many employers. Offers such as the BQ portal  or the anabin database  can help here.

As holders of the opportunity card are already in Germany, there are the following potential benefits compared to the “classic” application for a work visa from abroad:

• The skilled worker has time to get to know Germany before starting to work, to settle in in peace and take care of initial steps such as finding and registering accommodation, opening a bank account and obtaining a German SIM card.
• If necessary, a German course can be taken while the job search is ongoing.
• It is easier for job seekers to access support services offered by German organisations (e.g. Welcome Center, Employment Agency).
• It is possible for employers and international skilled workers to get to know each other personally.
• Secondary employment of up to 20 hours per week and job trials are permitted in connection with the desired job^[5] (maximum 2 weeks per employer).
• Onboarding can be facilitated as the skilled worker is already in Germany before starting work.

Despite the many advantages, both parties cannot bypass waiting for the new residence permit before starting work.

When a job search turns into an employment relationship

Many employers are not yet fully aware of how they can hire opportunity card holders and how the process works. There is a misconception among some that opportunity card holders must first apply for a work permit (beyond the 20 hours per week permitted) before employers can give them an employment contract.

In fact, it works the other way round: as soon as opportunity card holders receive a qualified job offer from an employer (this can be documented, for example, by completing the “Declaration of Employment” form), they apply for an appointment at the local foreigners office.

This is where the transition from the opportunity card to the corresponding residence permit (e.g. the EU Blue Card or the visa for skilled workers) will be done if the Federal Employment Agency has approved the employment - the concrete and binding job offer is a prerequisite for this. All types of work visas are explained in our section.

References

[1] Deutscher Bundestag, 20. Wahlperiode, Drucksache 20/6500 , 24.04.2023: Gesetzentwurf der Bundesregierung. Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Weiterentwicklung der Fachkräfteeinwanderung.

[2] Deutscher Bundestag, 21. Wahlperiode, Drucksache 21/692 , 27.06.2025: Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten Tobias Matthias Peterka, Knuth Meyer-Soltau, Ulrich von Zons, weiterer Abgeordneter und der Fraktion der AfD, – Drucksache 21/486 –, Chancenkarte Deutschland.

[3] Engler, Marcus; Palop-García, Pau (2025): Ein Jahr Chancenkarte: Erste Bilanz des deutschen Punktesystems für Fachkräfteeinwanderung . DeZIM Briefing Notes, Berlin: Deutsches Zentrum für Integrations- und Migrationsforschung (DeZIM).

[4] Basic information on visa requirements can be found in the section “Who needs a visa?”.

[5] The trial employment must be aimed at either qualified employment, training, or the commencement of a qualification measure.

[6] Vgl. Kolb, Dr. Holger (2025): “Die Idee ist gut, doch die Welt noch nicht bereit”: Die Lebensunterhaltssicherung im Bereich der Chancenkarte (§ 20a Abs. 4 S. 1 AufenthG) bleibt eine Herausforderung . SVR-Kurzinformation 2025-1. Berlin: Sachverständigenrat für Integration und Migration.