Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card, Germany)

Introduced by the 2023 skilled immigration reform, the Chancenkarte is a job-search residence title. Section 20a says it is issued for searching for work or for measures to recognise a foreign qualification. While you hold it you may work an average of up to 20 hours a week and take trial jobs of up to two weeks at a time. You must be able to support yourself, for example with a blocked account, a formal declaration of commitment or income from part-time work.

It does not let you practise as a nurse or doctor. Clinical work still needs a licence such as an Approbation or nursing permit.

• Skilled worker route. If your qualification is German or already fully recognised in Germany, you qualify without a language check. The federal guide says you can prove this with an anabin printout, a Statement of Comparability or a recognition notice.
• Points route. You need a degree, or vocational training of at least two years, recognised in the country where you got it and confirmed by the ZAB; German at A1 or English at B2; and at least 6 points.

The table in the annex to the Residence Act (section 20b) gives:

• 4 points if a German recognition authority has found your qualification needs adaptation or compensation measures, which is what a Defizitbescheid says. This also removes the need for ZAB confirmation.
• 3 points for German at B2, 2 for B1, 1 for A2; 1 for English at C1.
• 3 points for five years' relevant experience in the last seven, or 2 for two years in the last five.
• 1 point if your occupation is in a shortage group listed for the Blue Card (section 18g). These include ISCO groups 221, 222 and 226: medical doctors, nursing and midwifery professionals and other health professionals.
• 2 points if you are 35 or under, 1 if over 35 and up to 40.
• 1 point for six months' lawful stay in Germany in the last five years, and 1 if your spouse applies with you and also qualifies.

A nurse with a Defizitbescheid and B1 German therefore already has 6 points.

1. Gather proof of your qualification, language, experience and funds.
2. Apply for the visa at the German mission. The Dublin embassy, for example, charges the standard €75 national visa fee and takes online applications through the Consular Services Portal.
3. The search card (Such-Chancenkarte) is issued for up to one year.
4. If you find qualified work but do not yet meet the conditions of another work permit, it can be extended as a follow-up card (Folge-Chancenkarte) for up to two years with Federal Employment Agency approval.

Missions publish the monthly amount you must show, and it changes over time (the Dublin embassy labels its figure as subject to change), so check your mission's page before applying.

• Assuming you can work as a nurse. Without a licence you can only take non-licensed roles within the 20-hour limit.
• Old language certificates. The Dublin embassy says certificates for the points route may not be older than one year.
• Leaving it late. The federal guide says that if the search fails the holder must, as a rule, leave Germany.