Prep Center

Chancenkarte: How to prepare

A step-by-step guide on how to prepare your application for the opportunity card

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Introduction

The decision to apply for the Chancenkarte already opens up opportunities for preparation that need to be taken before you apply. To ensure that your application goes smoothly and that you are well prepared for your new life in Germany, you should consider the following categories.

Overview

You can use the categories to make the necessary preparations for your application for the Chancenkarte. Vocational training, language skills and securing a livelihood are basic requirements when applying. The additional categories are important in order to achieve the necessary 6 points in the points allocation system.

Disclaimer: The aim of this guide is to prepare you step by step for your subsequent application for the opportunity card. For this purpose, it may be useful for you to use third-party tools and services. Such tools and services have been carefully selected for you and are linked in the relevant chapters. Chancenkarte GmbH has affiliate partnerships with some of the providers. So if you decide to use one of these services, we also earn a little from it to make our support for Chancenkarte candidates even better – a win-win-win situation.

1. Vocational training

To qualify for the Opportunity Card, you must meet two conditions relating to your vocational training. The vocational training must have a duration of at least two years and be state-recognized in your country. These conditions ensure that you have the required specialist knowledge and skills.

Proof of vocational training

You must provide proof of your vocational training for the Chancenkarte. A vocational training certificate or written confirmation from the training company can serve this purpose. If the vocational training certificate is not issued in German or English, an official translation into German or English must be provided. It must also clearly state that the training is state-recognized. This can be stated on the final certificate or must be proven by other documents.

Anerkennung der Berufsausbildung

Recognition or partial recognition gives you better opportunities on the job market and increases your score, which will be important for your application. You will need a vocational training certificate, a passport, a CV and other documents, which must be written in German or English. If this is not the case, a professional translation will be necessary. If you want to apply for recognition, proceed as follows:

  1. Visit the official website for the recognition of foreign vocational training in Germany
  2. Fill out the application form. Some professions have different application forms, it is best to check on the official website which application form you need.
  3. Attach ALL requested documents as color copies (no originals, German or English is fine – otherwise a professional translation is required); to make it easier for you, do not use a stapler.
  4. Contact some employers in Germany to prove that you are really interested in working here and attach the correspondence to the application (no employment contract required).
  5. Send all of the above to IHK Fosa, Ulmenstraße 52g, DE-90443 Nuremberg, Germany.
  6. Pay the fees, usually around 150-200 euros (you should first receive an invoice before paying).

Extra point for bottleneck professions

In Germany, there is a particularly strong demand for skilled workers in certain professional fields that are considered bottleneck professions. These include, in particular, educators, nurses and engineers. If you have qualifications in one of these areas, you have the chance to earn an extra point in the scoring system.

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Recognition in Germany

Germany offers a structured process for the assessment and recognition of foreign qualifications to ensure that they meet German standards. This includes academic degrees, professional certificates and other qualifications. The process to determine whether your education qualifies you for the Chancenkarte is not yet determined. You will be kept up to date at anerkennung-in-deutschland.de and chancenkarte.com.

Recognition

Next steps

  1. Check whether your vocational training is recognized in your country and whether it has the required duration of 2 years.
  2. Obtain your training certificate or letter from your employer and scan it legibly.
  3. Have the employer translate the training certificate or letter into English or German.
  4. Consider having your vocational training recognized in Germany via the official website.

2. Language skills

Language skills are necessary for several reasons when applying for the Chancenkarte. They not only serve to facilitate your integration into German society and the labor market, but also to ensure that you can communicate effectively, both in everyday life and professionally.

Required language skills

Either German or English language skills are required to successfully apply for the Chancenkarte. You must have language skills at level A1 in German or level B2 in English.

Points for language skills

As part of the Chancenkarte, points are awarded for various language skills to determine your suitability for jobs. The following list shows which language skills are worth how many points.

  • German A2 = 1 point
  • German B1 = 2 points
  • English C1 = 1 point

So if you have German B1 and English C1 language skills, you can receive a total of 3 points on the opportunity card for these language skills.

Check and improve your language skills

We provide you with placement tests to check your current language skills. If you find that you do not yet have the required language skills, we will introduce you to suitable language preparation courses. These courses are designed to improve your German or English language skills and prepare you specifically for obtaining the required certificates.

Have your language skills certified

Once you have achieved the relevant language skills, you will need to take a certificate for the Chancenkarte, which depends on the German embassy in your country. The following section lists the required certificates, which may vary depending on the country. If necessary, contact the German embassy in your country to find out which certificate is required. This test serves as proof of your language skills and is a necessary part of the application.

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Test preparation with Preply

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TOEFL certificate for English language skills

The TOEFL language certificate is a globally recognized test for assessing the English language skills of non-native speakers. It measures reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in academic and professional contexts. TOEFL provides a reliable assessment of language proficiency for employers and opportunity card applications.

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Goethe certificate for German language skills

The Goethe language certificate is a prestigious certificate for German as a foreign language that is recognized worldwide. It assesses language skills at various levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These certificates are essential for those wishing to work or live in Germany and provide ideal proof of language proficiency for applications for the Chancenkarte.

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Next steps

  1. Take a placement test to check your current language skills.
  2. If your current language skills are not sufficient for the Chancenkarte (German A1 or English B2). Find out about the language preparation courses under Helpful Services.
  3. If you have the required language skills, find out about the required certificate in your country.
  4. If necessary, take part in a preparatory course for the subsequent certification of your language skills.
  5. There are additional preparation courses for the certificate exam, which we recommend.

3. Securing your livelihood

Securing your livelihood means that you are independent in Germany. It is also essential for applying for the Chancenkarte. The following two options are available to you to ensure this security.

Option 1: Proof of savings

There is the option of opening a blocked account. With a blocked account, a certain amount is deposited in a German bank account. This account serves as proof of your savings during your stay in Germany. The deposit must be equivalent to €12,324 and the monthly disposal is limited to €934.

Option 2: Existence of an employment contract

Another option to secure your livelihood is to take up a job in Germany. A job of 20 hours or more per week can provide regular income to cover living expenses. This requires a successful job search before applying for the Chancenkarte. Proof of a job can be provided in the form of an employment contract with a German company.

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Blocked account from Expatrio

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Chancenkarte Jobs!

Chancenkarte Jobs! is a job platform that brings together Chancenkarte candidates and jobs. Register now to be among the first to gain access to the platform. You will receive early access to Chancenkarte Jobs!, can find jobs and enjoy exciting benefits for the first users.

Jobs!

Next steps

  1. Decide which of the two options is most suitable for you.
  2. If you want to open the blocked account, a deposit of €12,324 is required. You will then need to have the account opening letter ready for your application.
  3. If you want to look for a job, register with Chancenkarte Jobs and get in touch with companies in Germany. An employment contract is sufficient proof.

4. Professional experience

Your previous work experience can be essential for your success in Germany. The professional experience must have been gained in a profession that is related to your vocational training and the field of work you wish to pursue in Germany.

Duration of professional experience

The exact duration of the required professional experience is 5 years (in the last 7 years). It is necessary to have gained this experience in the field of your vocational training. Make sure that this condition is met.

Proof of professional experience

Proof of professional experience can usually be provided by a letter from your current or former employer. This letter should include details of your position, the jobs you have held and the length of time you have been employed. It is important that the letter contains this information in order to be successfully considered in your application.

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Template for an employment reference (.docx)

If you still lack proof of your professional experience in the form of an employment reference, you can download our template (.docx) and send it to your (former) employer. Ask them to prepare a reference for the period of your employment based on the template. Point out that details of your position, the tasks you performed and the duration of your employment must be included.

Download

Next steps

  1. Check whether the duration and type of your professional experience meet the requirements of the opportunity card.
  2. If you have the required work experience, ask your current or former employer for a letter confirming this experience.

5. Previous stays in Germany

Previous stays in Germany can be an advantage to increase your chances of getting an opportunity card. This not only shows an interest in Germany, but also a certain familiarity with the culture, labor market and lifestyle.

It is important to distinguish between tourist and professional stays. Your stay must have a minimum duration of 6 months and be in a professional or educational context. Employment or rental contracts are sufficient proof of your stay.

Next steps

  1. Check whether you already have proof of residence in Germany.
  2. Does your stay meet the conditions with a duration of at least 6 months and a professional or educational context?
  3. Have a rental or employment contract from this period ready and make legible scans.

6. Qualification of Spouse

If your spouse is also interested in the opportunity card, you can collect additional points together. To do this, you must apply for the Chancenkarte together with your spouse. The marriage can be proven by a recognized marriage certificate, which is usually issued by a state institution. However, the documents are legalized at the German embassy in your country.

If necessary, contact the German embassy in your country for more detailed information on legalization.

Next steps

  1. If you are married, check together with your partner whether you meet the basic requirements for the Chancenkarte.
  2. Obtain a marriage certificate which is issued at a state wedding ceremony.
  3. Submit your marriage certificate to the German embassy in your country and have it checked for authenticity.

7. Apply via your German embassy

Once you have made all the preparations, you can officially apply for the Chancenkarte.

The application for the Chancenkarte is usually made via the German embassy in the applicant’s country. We have listed the embassies of selected countries for you below. If your country of residence or place of stay is not on the list, you can easily find the website of your embassy using the usual search engines.

It is possible that the embassy relevant to you has not yet set up an application process for the opportunity card. The best way to find out is to contact your embassy directly.

Next steps

  1. Collect all prepared documents.
  2. Contact the embassy relevant to you and enquire about the application process.
  3. Submit the official application for your opportunity card.

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