Opportunity Card & Ausbildung
Two of Germany’s most powerful pathways — with complete, accurate guidance from our Germany-based team.
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) — Full Guide
A residence permit that lets non-EU professionals move to Germany without a job offer and search for up to 1 year.
Two Ways to Qualify
✓ Path A — Direct Route (No Points Needed)
Your foreign qualification is fully recognized in Germany (via anabin/ZAB). You automatically qualify without points.
📊 Path B — Points System (Minimum 6 Points)
Your qualification is recognized in your home country but not yet in Germany. Score at least 6 points from the table below.
| Category | Condition | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | MINT degree (IT, Science, Nursing, Tech) | +3 |
| Experience | 5+ years in your field | +2 |
| Experience | 2–5 years in your field | +1 |
| German | B1 or higher (CEFR) | +2 |
| German | A2 level | +1 |
| Age | Under 35 years old | +2 |
| Age | 35–40 years old | +1 |
| Germany ties | Prior legal stay 6+ months | +1 |
| Spouse | Spouse also qualifies for Chancenkarte | +1 |
Validity: Up to 1 year — extendable
Work allowed: Part-time up to 20 hrs/week
Job trials: Short Probearbeit with any employer
Points needed: Minimum 6 of 10 possible
Language: German A1 OR English B2
Blocked account: €13,092/year (2025 rate)
After job offer: Switch to full work permit
Ausbildung in Germany
Earn while you learn — with a real monthly stipend and a direct path to permanent residency.
🏥 Pflege (Nursing) Ausbildung
3 years | Hospitals & elderly care | Stipend: €1,100–€1,400/month
- Germany’s most in-demand Ausbildung — nationwide shortage of nurses
- Dual system: practical hospital training + Berufsschule classroom
- Stipend increases each year of training
- Strong path to permanent residency after completion
- Language: B2 German (B1 considered by some employers)
- Standard docs: CV, certificates + translation, language cert, passport
- Note: Police certificate NOT required for standard Ausbildung application
🏠 Hotelfachmann/-frau
3 years | Hotels & resorts | Stipend: €700–€1,000/month
- Training in front office, food & beverage, housekeeping, events
- Strong employer demand across all major German cities
- Dual system: hotel workplace + vocational school
- Good pathway to hotel management careers
- Language: B1–B2 German
✓ Standard Documents for Ausbildung Application
Important: Police and medical certificates are NOT required for standard Ausbildung or the Ausbildungsvisum. They may be requested by specific Pflege employers only.
Tailored to German employer expectations
Motivation letter in German
Certified by a sworn German translator
Goethe-Institut or telc. Min. B1 for most
Must be valid for duration of Ausbildung
Signed contract from employer — needed for visa