The Opportunity Card (“Chancenkarte”) entitles its holder to look for a job or measure for recognition at a future employer in Germany. The visa is valid for up to 12 months. Once you have found a qualified full-time job or a recognition measure, you can apply for your residence permit in Germany. During your stay, you may work part-time for up to 20 hours per calendar week in order to secure your livelihood. Trial employment with potential employers is possible for a maximum of two working weeks at a time.

There are two alternatives for obtaining an Opportunity Card:

1. Recognized professionals: You need proof of full recognition of your foreign qualification in Germany and must be able to finance your stay.
2. Points system: Applicants without full recognition of their degree in Germany must fulfill the following four requirements: Firstly, you must have a university degree or at least two years of vocational training. Secondly, you must prove German language skills at A1 or English language skills at B2 level. Thirdly, you must be able to finance your stay independently. Fourthly, you must achieve 6 points in total in the following points system.

Points can be achieved for the following characteristics:

• Partial recognition of the qualification in Germany: 4 points
• Advanced language skills:
  • German language skills B2: 3 points, or
  • German language skills B1: 2 points, or
  • German language skills A2: 1 point, or
  • English language skills C1: 1 point.
• Professional experience in the desired field
  • of 5 years in the last 7 years: 3 points, or
  • of 2 years in the last 5 years: 2 points
• Professional qualification in a shortage occupation, e.g. as a natural scientist, mathematician, engineer, doctor, ICT specialist, a complete list of occupations can be found here: 1 Point
• Age:
  • Under 35 years of age: 2 points,
  • Between 35 and 40 years of age: 1 point
• Previous stay in Germany in the last 5 years of 6 months uninterrupted: 1 point
• Spouse applies for the opportunity card together and has achieved at least 6 points themselves: 1 point

Please submit the following documents for your application, one original with one copy of each original in paper format A4:

• Your valid passport
• One print-out of your duly filled and signed application form
• Two biometrical passport photos, one of which glued to the application forms
• Visa fee 75 Euro, payable in USD
• Diploma
• If your foreign degree is fully or partially recognized as equivalent to a
  
  • German academic degree: KMK ZAB notification or the two Anabin extracts for university (H+) and degree (equivalent to the German university degree), OR
  • German vocational training degree: IHK FOSA notification, OR
  • German degree in regulated professions: Notification from the relevant state authority
• If you have a vocational training degree without German recognition: KMK ZAB confirmation that the degree is recognized in the country where it was acquired
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form
• Motivation letter
• Proof of finance:
  • Formal obligation according to §§ 66-68 AufenthG (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) with a confirmation of the declarant’s financial capacity by the local Immigration (Ausländerbehörde)
  • OR proof of a blocked bank account in your name with an amount of 1092 Euro per months of your stay in Germany. For further information concerning a blocked account in Germany, please see here.
  • Work contract for a partial employment of up to 20 hours per week that covers your cost of living in Germany
• For applicants in the points system: German language certificate A1 or higher from an ALTE-certified language school (Goethe Institute, ÖSD, telc, TestDaF, ECL) or English language certificate B2 or higher from an ALTE-certified language school (alternatively TOEFL with over 87 points). The certificate should not be older than one year.
• For applicants in the points system: Proof of professional experience (employment references), if available
• For applicants in the points system: Proof of previous stay in Germany (employment contracts, rental contracts, old passports with visas, proof of studies, etc.), if available
• Proof of planned accommodation in Germany (if available)
• Proof of health insurance coverage
  • incoming health insurance in type and scope of health insurance coverage corresponding to that of a statutory health insurance, covering your whole stay in Germany

• Your application must be submitted personally at the German Embassy. Once you have obtained all necessary documents, please register for an appointment here.

  Please note:

• Incomplete applications will be decided by the Embassy based on the documents that were submitted, and may be rejected.
  

• The Service Centre for Professional Recognition can assist you in your professional recognition procedure. For further information, please see here.
  

• Foreign documents which neither were issued in Cambodia nor in Germany must be legalized or have an apostille.
  

• Documents that are not in German or English language need to be translated by a recognized translator. For further information, please see here.

• Please note that the Embassy can request further documents.

• For non-Cambodians: Proof of legal residence in Cambodia