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Indian in Germany

Tool

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) points calculator

Answer 7 questions about your qualifications, experience, and language skills. See your point total instantly. You need 6 points to qualify.

Your profile

Your score
9
You meet the 6-point threshold. You are eligible for the Opportunity Card (subject to baseline requirements).
Points breakdown
Degree recognition
4
Professional experience
2
German language
0
English language
1
Age
2
Shortage occupation
0
Prior stay in Germany
0
Total
9
Baseline requirements (separate from points)
Qualification
You need a university degree or a qualified vocational training (minimum 2-year programme). Without either, you cannot apply regardless of your point score.
Language
Minimum A1 German or B2 English. You must prove this with a recognised certificate (Goethe, telc, TestDaF for German; IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge for English).
Proof of funds
Approximately ~€1,027/month for 12 months (~€12,324 total) in a Sperrkonto (blocked account), or a formal sponsor declaration (Verpflichtungserklaerung).
Read the full Opportunity Card guide for step-by-step application instructions, timelines, and document checklists.

What is the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)?

The Opportunity Card is Germany's points-based job seeker visa, introduced in June 2024 as part of the Skilled Immigration Act reform. It allows qualified professionals from outside the EU to move to Germany and search for a job for up to 12 months. Unlike the Blue Card or Skilled Worker Visa, you do not need a job offer before you arrive.

The points system scores you across seven categories: degree recognition, professional experience, German language, English language, age, shortage occupation, and prior stays in Germany. You need at least 6 points to qualify. On top of the point score, there are baseline requirements: a recognised degree or 2-year vocational training, proof of A1 German or B2 English, and financial proof of roughly €1,027 per month.

While on the Opportunity Card, you can work up to 20 hours per week in any job and do two-week paid trial jobs (Probearbeiten) in your actual field. The goal is to convert to a Blue Card or Skilled Worker Visa once you land a qualifying full-time offer. The 12 months on the Opportunity Card do not count toward permanent residence. The clock for PR starts only after you convert.

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