- Foreign skilled professionals with vocational or academic training can apply for a German job seeker visa and a temporary residence permit. This can pave the way for a residence permit for gainful employment and a long-term or permanent stay in Germany.
- The German job seeker visa is issued in 2 types, each with unique conditions. The job seeker visa for skilled workers (valid for 6 months) and the Opportunity Card (“Chancenkarte,” valid for 1 year, extendable) differ partially in their visa conditions.
- The basic requirements for a job seeker visa application are proof of professional qualifications and experience, sufficient financial means, and valid health insurance for the entire stay.
- Third-country nationals already living in Germany and seeking employment can obtain a temporary residence permit for up to 18 months.
German visa obligations and exemptions
Germany, the other EU member states, and the non-EU countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are part of the Schengen Area. There are no internal border controls between Schengen countries, and third-country nationals with Schengen visas can travel to all Schengen countries.
The Schengen countries issue 2 different types of visas. Short-term Schengen visas (C visas) are issued for a maximum of 90 days for tourist, private, or business trips (as a multiple-entry visa for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days). National visas (D visas) entitle the holder to a longer stay. Job seeker visas for Germany are always national visas.
Whether a visa is required for entry into Germany depends on your home country:
- Citizens of Schengen countries enjoy complete freedom of movement and settlement in the entire Schengen area.
- Third-country nationals are generally subject to visa requirements unless a visa waiver applies to their country.
Exemptions from the visa requirement differ depending on the Schengen visa type: for short-term stays of up to 90 days (Schengen short-term visa, C visa), citizens of around 60 countries do not require an entry visa, but from May 2025, they will have to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization. This visa waiver is regulated uniformly throughout the Schengen Area.
Citizens of 14 countries – including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States – do not require an entry visa for Germany for longer stays. Still, they must apply for a residence permit within 90 days.
German job seeker visa – in 2 different variants
A German Job seeker visa is issued in 2 different variants. You can apply for a job seeker visa for skilled professionals or an Opportunity Card (“Chancenkarte”).
The job seeker visa for skilled professionals is intended exclusively for individuals with a fully recognized professional qualification. However, visa applicants with only partially recognized qualifications can receive a German job search permit with the Opportunity Card.
German law differentiates between unregulated and regulated professions. The regulated professions include, for example, doctors, pharmacists, educators, nursing professionals, and — to some extent — engineers. Recognition and, in some cases, a professional license is mandatory for regulated professions. For unregulated professions, a voluntary certificate assessment can be useful. The recognition process confirms the equivalence of foreign professional qualifications (university degrees or vocational training) with qualifications acquired in Germany. You have to apply for the recognition procedure yourself. The Anabin database and related info pages provide information on whether your degree is recognized in Germany, the recognition process, and the institutions where you can apply.
Job seeker visa for skilled professionals
A job seeker visa for skilled professionals is issued for 6 months and cannot be extended. A residence permit application is not required.
Taking up an employed or self-employed activity in Germany is not permitted with this visa. Exceptions apply if you work for a potential employer for a maximum of 10 hours per week on a trial basis.
The Requirements for a job seeker visa for skilled professionals are:
- A German or fully recognized foreign university degree equivalent to a German degree
- Alternatively, fully recognized vocational training of at least 2 years equivalent to dual vocational training in Germany
- Realistic opportunities on the German labor market – for example, through formal professional education and employment in a shortage occupation (e.g., IT, professions in the health and care sector including people with a qualified assistant or helper training) or at least 2 years of professional experience in the learned occupation (not for university graduates)
- If possible: Invitations to job interviews or contacts with potential employers
German language skills are not mandatory for this visa, but they can be helpful when seeking employment. Many employers require minimum skills at level A2 or B2 of the European Reference Framework for Languages.
Opportunity card
Alternatively, you can apply for an Opportunity Card to enter Germany. On this basis, a job seeker visa is granted for 1 year. It can be extended for 2 more years by the local German immigration office.
You will receive a job seeker visa from the German embassy based on the opportunity card regulations — the immigration office in Germany issues the card itself.
The Opportunity Card includes a work permit for trial work and, in the 1st year, for any secondary employment of up to 20 hours per week. If you extend your stay, you will only receive a work permit for specific jobs.
There are 2 options for obtaining an Opportunity Card:
- You have a German professional degree or a formal professional qualification fully recognized in Germany (university degree or qualified vocational training).
If you want to seek employment directly after graduating from university or vocational training in Germany, you do not need a job seeker visa or an Opportunity Card. You can convert your student or trainee visa into a residence permit for job-seeking without leaving the country first. This is issued for 18 months. During this time, you can already work full-time without any restrictions.
- With a partially recognized qualification, you can achieve at least 6 points in the point system for the Opportunity Card and have to fulfill a few additional requirements. These include basic language skills in German (A1) or English (B2) and a recognized academic or professional qualification in your home country.
Point system for the Opportunity Card
The point system for the Opportunity Card is based on comparable systems in countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and Denmark. The points are calculated by the German Embassy, where you submit your visa application.
The following table provides an overview of the points that can be achieved and the criteria for awarding them:
| 4 points | Full or partial recognition of a foreign professional qualification (university degree or vocational training) |
| 1 point | Formal training in a shortage occupation |
| 2 points | 2 years of work experience in the past 5 years |
| 3 points | 5 years of work experience in the past 7 years |
| 1–3 points | German language skills (minimum requirement A1, no points awarded):
A2: 1 point, B1: 2 points, B2: 3 points Alternatively: English language skills (minimum requirement B2, no points awarded): C2: 1 point |
| 1–2 points | Age:
Up to 35 years old: 2 points 35–40 years old: 1 point |
| 1 point | At least 6 months of prior residence in Germany (e.g., language course, training/study, employment; no tourist stays) |
| 1 point | If your spouse/registered partner meets the requirements for an Opportunity Card and immigrates to Germany with you |
As soon as you find employment in Germany that matches your qualifications, you will receive a residence permit for up to 4 years. You can change your job or take a break to look for a new employer. The residence permit can later be converted into a permanent settlement permit, which is not tied to gainful employment in Germany. It is also possible to become naturalized.
Under certain conditions, you can receive an EU Blue Card after a successful job search. This card offers various advantages, particularly regarding the subsequent granting of a permanent settlement permit or naturalization. University graduates and people with comparable professional qualifications and experience can obtain this residence permit if they earn a gross salary of €48,300 per year (€43,759.80 for shortage occupations).
Proof of financial resources and health insurance
For both visa types, proof of financial resources and health insurance is required.
Proof of financial resources
For a job seeker visa, you must prove that you have at least €1,027 per month (€6,162 for 6 months/job seeker visa for skilled professionals, €12,324 for 1 year/Opportunity Card). Options for this are:
- Income/assets in your home country or a declaration by a third party (family members, friends, etc.) that they will cover your costs — proof of creditworthiness through bank statements and other evidence of ownership
- Declaration of commitment from a sponsor based in Germany (private individuals or companies/public institutions)
- Blocked bank account with the legally demanded minimum deposit
You can open a blocked account quickly and easily with a specialized online provider such as Expatrio or Fintiba. You deposit the required deposit into an online account and receive €1,027 monthly, paid into a German checking account. Both providers also support you in taking out health insurance in Germany.
Health insurance
To apply for a visa, you first need Schengen travel health insurance. It must be taken out with a European insurer, have a sum insured of at least €30,000, and be valid in all Schengen countries.
The insurance must cover your entire stay. For 6 months — i.e., for a regular job seeker visa — this is usually easily possible. However, not all insurers offer policies for longer stays. A suitable alternative in this case is expat insurance, which can be taken out with German online insurers such as ottonova or Feather for up to 5 years at affordable rates. They are also accepted for visa issuance.
As soon as you have found a job, you will typically have to take out German statutory health insurance. This is compulsory insurance, with your employer paying half of the contributions. The same applies to many secondary occupations during your job-seeking period. Private health insurance is only an option for employees if they earn more than €73,800 gross annually (status 2025).
Visa application process
You can apply for a visa in your home country or your country of permanent residence:
- at the German Embassy
- at a German consulate
- at a visa center that works on behalf of the embassy
The embassy’s website provides information on how to apply and the required documents.
As a visa applicant, you must appear in person at the embassy. You will submit your visa documents and fingerprints at this appointment and have a visa interview with an embassy official. Appointments for this can usually be made online.
Visa documents
Before your appointment at the embassy, you must compile your visa documents (each in the original and with 2 photocopies).
Standard documents for applying for a job seeker visa are:
- Valid passport
- Copies of your passport’s data page
- 2 biometric passport photos
- Visa application form
- Personal cover letter stating the reasons for your job search in Germany and alternative career plans if you do not find a job
- Declaration of accuracy of information and documents
- Curriculum vitae
- Proof of formal professional qualifications and previous professional experience
- If applicable: certificate of recognition of your professional qualification
- Proof of language skills (especially for the Opportunity Card, German or English)
- Proof of financial resources
- Valid health insurance
- Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel, rental contract, invitation letter from relatives or friends with confirmation of accommodation)
- Proof of marital status (through register extract or marriage certificate/birth certificates of children/divorce decree/death certificate of the marriage partner — each translated into English or German)
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
The German missions abroad are entitled to request further documents.
Processing time & visa application fee
On average, the processing time for a job seeker visa is 4 to 6 weeks. However, the process can take longer because the embassy and the immigration office in Germany check the visa application. So, you should submit your visa application at least 3 months before your planned entry into Germany.
The visa fee for a German job seeker visa is €75.
Conclusion
Germany’s job seeker visa and Opportunity Card provide skilled professionals from non-EU countries with a structured pathway to enter the German labor market. While the traditional job seeker visa is designed for applicants with fully recognized qualifications and offers a 6-month stay, the Opportunity Card introduces a more flexible approach based on a point system. This system lowers immigration hurdles by allowing candidates with partially recognized qualifications or relevant experience to seek employment in Germany.
Both visa types require proof of financial means and health insurance, and there are specific rules regarding work permits and stay duration. Once a job is secured, visa holders can seamlessly transition to a residence permit, which may lead to permanent settlement and even naturalization.
With Germany actively seeking skilled professionals, these visa options present promising opportunities for international job seekers to establish a career in one of Europe’s strongest economies. Understanding the eligibility criteria and application process in advance ensures a smooth transition into the German workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
No. If you have found a job, you can apply for a residence permit for gainful employment at the local immigration office without leaving the country first. You will need an employment contract or a binding job offer in Germany to achieve this.
Important: You must apply for a residence permit before your job seeker visa expires.
Travel within the Schengen Area is possible without restrictions with this visa. Leaving the Schengen zone depends on whether you have a single or multiple-entry visa. Job seeker visas for skilled professionals are issued as single-entry visas. To re-enter the country, you require a new visa. The Opportunity Card, on the other hand, allows you to enter Germany repeatedly. As soon as you have a permanent job and thus a residence permit, you no longer require a visa to enter Germany.
Family members who want to visit you during this time and fulfill the requirements for a visa can get a short-term Schengen visa for a maximum of 90 days. Family reunification of spouses and children is only possible once you have found a job in Germany. Normally, German missions abroad require you to complete the probationary period for your new job before they can apply for a family reunion visa.
