Germany: Chancenkarte Chance Card Visa. A detailed guide on how to get a visa

If you’re considering moving to Germany and looking for a way to find work there, the Chancenkarte could be your perfect option. By accumulating enough points, you can move to Germany and legally stay for up to a year. In this guide, we will break down what the Chancenkarte is, the requirements you need to meet, how the points system works, and how you can apply for this visa step by step. Everything you need to know — all in one place!

Brief Overview of the Program:

• Processing time: approximately 2 months
• Validity: 1 year
• Citizenship: possible after residency and obtaining a residence permit
• Extension: possible
• Fees/government charges: around €75
• Family relocation: not possible. Spouses must apply separately. If both parents are approved for the Chancenkarte, they can bring their child.

Что такое карта Шанса?

The Chancenkarte is a new visa that allows you to move to Germany and search for a job with local companies for up to one year. The visa is aimed at attracting skilled professionals from abroad to Germany.

The Chancenkarte is based on a points system that evaluates your skills, education, age, language proficiency, and connections to Germany. To obtain the card, you need to score 6 points. We’ll explain the points system in detail a bit further down.

What are the benefits?

• Fast and easy access to the German job market
• If you receive a permanent job offer, you can apply for a work residence permit without leaving Germany
• You can undertake work internships without needing to change your residence permit
• The right to work part-time in Germany (20 hours per week) or to take trial jobs for up to two weeks (with no limit on the number of such jobs) before securing a full-time position.
• If by the end of the card’s validity you have a job offer but haven’t signed a labor contract yet, you can extend the card.

Conditions for obtaining

• To live in Germany during the residence permit period, you need to have €12,324 in a blocked account (or €1,027 per month). You can withdraw no more than €1,027 per month.
• You must have a higher education degree from a university listed in the Anabin database. If you do not have such a degree, you need to score at least 6 points according to the special points system.

How does the points system for the Chancenkarte work?

The points system for obtaining the Chancenkarte is quite straightforward: you can earn between 1 and 4 points depending on various factors. There are four main categories where points are awarded:

• Education and work experience
• Language proficiency
• Age
• Previous connections with Germany

Let’s take a closer look at each category.

1. Education and Work Experience

Note that your work experience must be in the same field as your qualification.

You can count on an additional point if you have education in one of the specialized professions in Germany.

2. Language Proficiency

3. Your Age

4. Connections with Germany

If you have lived in Germany for at least 6 months in the past 5 years, this will also earn you additional points.

Additional Point

You can receive this point if you plan to move with your spouse, who also has the right and plans to apply for the Chancenkarte.

You can use the official German government calculator to check if you have scored 6 points to qualify for the Chancenkarte.

Document Checklist

• Passport
• A copy of the page with personal data from your valid passport
• Motivation letter: Describe where you plan to search for a job and in which field. Explain how your experience and education are relevant to this area. Mention companies you plan to send your CV to and where you plan to live.
• Biography in the form of a table on previous professional activities
• Financing: Proof of funds in a bank account outside Russia or a blocked account in Germany (minimum €12,324 per year or €1,027 per month).
• Private health insurance: It must be valid throughout the Schengen area for the entire duration of the Chancenkarte, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Document recognizing your qualifications: Proof of the equivalence of your professional qualifications or higher education (certificates from the Anabin database or another competent authority) (original + copy).
• Language proficiency proof: B2 English TOEFL or a certificate from an organization recognized by the European Association of Language Testing and Assessment, or proof of at least A1 level in German.
• Marriage certificate with an apostille, if your spouse is also applying.

How to apply for the Chancenkarte on your own?

1. Confirm that you meet the Chancenkarte requirements.

There are two possible scenarios:

Option 1

Check if your university is listed in the Anabin database. Ensure that it has an H+ rating. Also, check whether your degree is marked with “entspricht” (equivalent) or “gleichwertig” (comparable).

If all conditions are met and you meet the financial requirements, you can obtain the Chancenkarte without additional conditions.

If you can’t find your university or degree on the site, request a Statement of Comparability from the ZAB website.

Option 2
Accumulate the necessary 6 points according to the points system we discussed earlier. The maximum you can earn is 14 points.

2. Obtain Health Insurance.

Find suitable expat insurance, for example, through Feather, which will provide the necessary documents for your application. Keep in mind that not all types of insurance are accepted for this program, so choose carefully.

3. Prove Financial Stability

You need to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself during your stay in Germany. There are two ways to do this:

Option 1: Prove that you have sufficient funds to live in Germany. You must have €12,324 (or €1,027 per month) in a blocked account for applications in 2024.

Open a blocked account with at least €12,324 or provide other documents proving your financial stability. Here’s a guide on how to open a blocked account.

Option 2: If you don’t have enough money for a blocked account, you can provide a part-time employment contract with a German employer for up to 20 hours per week. However, finding a part-time job without being in the country can be difficult, so the first option might be more realistic for most people.

4. Prepare the Necessary Documents

Review the checklist of documents we previously provided.

1. Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and has two or more blank pages.
2. Birth Certificate: Prepare a copy of your birth certificat
3. Passport Photo: Ensure the photo meets the required standards (size 3.5×4.5 cm, white background).
4. Proof of Active Job Search: Include evidence of job applications, offers, or communication with recruiters, such as through LinkedIn.
5. Resume: List your qualifications, education, and work experience (no more than two pages).
6. Recommendation Letters: If you have letters from previous employers, include them. This will help demonstrate your professionalism and experience.
7. Proof of Points Qualification: If you qualified through the points system, include a document explaining how you achieved the required 6 points.
8. Fill Out the VIDEX Application Form: You can create and print the visa application form for submission to the German consulate or embassy here.
9. Sign the Additional Declaration: You can download the declaration form from here. Be sure to sign it and include it in your application.

5. Submit Your Application

Citizens of 23 countries can apply for the Chancenkarte online. This includes citizens of countries like Belarus, Armenia, and Georgia. You can check the eligible countries and submit your application online here.

For all other applicants, it is necessary to submit the application at your local German embassy or consulate. Start by scheduling an appointment through the consulate’s website. You can find the nearest consulate here.

When submitting your application at the consulate, there will be a €75 registration fee, payable in the local currency.

What’s Next? 

The decision typically takes 3–6 weeks, although processing times may vary.

With the Chancenkarte, you will be allowed to stay in Germany for up to a year to find a full-time job. During your job search, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week. Once you secure full-time employment, don’t forget to apply for a residence permit at the local immigration office. From there, you can start planning for permanent residency or even citizenship in the future.

Conclusion

Obtaining the Chancenkarte is a realistic opportunity for those looking to build a career in Germany. By meeting the requirements, gathering the necessary documents, and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can significantly simplify your journey to employment in one of Europe’s most developed countries. Don’t delay your plans — start preparing today and turn your dream of working in Germany into reality!