Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
Quick definition
A residence title that allows qualified non-EU professionals to enter Germany and search for employment. For employers, the Chancenkarte creates a pool of pre-qualified international candidates who are already in Germany, available for interviews and paid trial employment — and ready to convert to an EU Blue Card or skilled worker permit once hired.
At a glance
What it means for employers
Pre-qualified candidates already in Germany
Work allowed
Up to 20 hrs/week + 2-week trial per employer
Trial employment (Probearbeit)
Up to 2 weeks, full hours, paid
Conversion to Blue Card
4-8 weeks at Ausländerbehörde
Conversion to Skilled Worker
4-8 weeks at Ausländerbehörde
Can work during conversion?
Yes, via Fiktionsbescheinigung
How it works
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) replaced the old Job Seeker Visa on 1 June 2024. It is a B2C visa — individuals apply for it independently, not through an employer. However, it directly impacts your hiring pipeline: Chancenkarte holders are already legally in Germany, available for in-person interviews, and can do paid trial work for your company. They are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week in any job, and can do Probearbeit (trial employment) of up to 2 weeks per employer at full hours. Once you decide to hire a Chancenkarte holder full-time, the key step is converting their permit to an employment-based residence title — typically an EU Blue Card (if salary meets the threshold) or a skilled worker permit under §18a/§18b. This conversion is applied for at the local Ausländerbehörde and typically takes 4-8 weeks. The candidate can continue working for you during the conversion process under a Fiktionsbescheinigung.
Why it matters
The Chancenkarte is a hiring accelerator. Instead of waiting 3-5 months for a visa process from abroad, you can hire someone who is already in Germany, has proven qualifications, and can start a trial within days. The 2-week Probearbeit option lets you evaluate the candidate on the job before committing to a full contract and visa conversion — reducing your hiring risk significantly. relokate handles the entire conversion process from Chancenkarte to Blue Card or skilled worker permit, so your HR team doesn't need to manage the transition.
Step-by-step process
Identify a Chancenkarte holder
The candidate is already in Germany with a valid Chancenkarte. Verify they hold the permit and check its validity period.
Trial employment (optional)
Offer a 2-week paid Probearbeit at full hours. This is legally permitted under the Chancenkarte — no additional approval needed. Use this to evaluate the candidate on the job.
Extend a job offer
If the trial is successful, issue a formal employment contract. Ensure the salary meets the EU Blue Card threshold (€50,700 or €45,934 for shortage occupations) if pursuing that route.
Determine the target permit
Based on the candidate's qualifications and salary, choose the fastest conversion path: EU Blue Card (§18g), Skilled Worker Visa — Academic (§18b), or Skilled Worker Visa — Vocational (§18a).
Apply for permit conversion
The candidate applies at the local Ausländerbehörde to convert from Chancenkarte to the employment-based permit. They receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung and can continue working during processing.
Receive employment permit
Processing takes 4-8 weeks. Once issued, the candidate holds a full residence permit tied to employment with your company.
Required documents
Fees
Legal basis
Frequently asked questions
How many hours can a Chancenkarte holder work for our company?
Can we hire a Chancenkarte holder full-time immediately?
How does the conversion from Chancenkarte to Blue Card work?
What if the salary doesn't meet the Blue Card threshold?
Can we use the 2-week trial to test multiple candidates?
Related tools & services
Related terms
Country guides
Learn how this applies to specific nationalities.
