You’re in Germany with a Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), ready to build your future. One of the main challenges you may be facing now is convincing employers to hire you when they don’t understand your visa or are rejecting applications by stating they are not hiring Opportunity Card holders. This is one of the most common discussion points in Opportunity Card communities. At My Relocator, we have supported Opportunity Card holders and their employers with the practical steps involved in converting the Opportunity Card into a residence permit or an EU Blue Card.
In This Article, You’ll Learn:
- What your Opportunity Card allows
- How to explain it clearly to employers
- The two German residence permits you must know as your next step
- How to answer application questions about your work rights
- How My Relocator supports Opportunity Card holders in Berlin and outside Berlin with the process of applying for and converting the Opportunity Card into a residence permit or EU Blue Card
This isn’t just a theoretical guide – it’s based on real situations, common challenges, and questions we hear every day from Opportunity Card holders in Germany. It reflects what’s actually happening on the ground, so you can avoid confusion, handle things more easily, and know what to expect.
Opportunity Card: What It Promised vs. What’s Actually Happening
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), launched in 2024, was designed to help skilled non-EU workers:
- Enter Germany to look for a job
- Legally work part-time (up to 20 hours/week)
- Do trial jobs (max 2 weeks per employer)
- Transition into a full-time residence permit after getting hired
But here’s what many are experiencing instead:
- Difficulty even finding part-time jobs
- HR departments or companies unfamiliar with the Opportunity Card visa
- Rejections from employers who either don’t recognize the Opportunity Card visa or fear complications
The Two German Residence Permits You Must Know As An Opportunity Card Holder
There are two main permit pathways you must understand – because they’re what you will likely switch to once you get a job offer.
EU Blue Card
For foreign academics and people with comparable qualifications who want to take up qualified employment in Germany.
Requirements (2025):
- A specific job offer from a German employer
- Job duration of at least six months
- Role must match your academic qualification
- Gross salary of €48,300/year
- For shortage occupations: €43,759.80/year (with BA approval)
- Regulated professions may require a license
Source: Make it in Germany – EU Blue Card
Work Visa for Qualified Professionals
For applicants with academic or vocational training recognized in Germany.
Requirements:
- Recognised or equivalent foreign qualification
- Job offer related to your qualification
- Qualified position (academic or vocational background required)
- BA approval to verify local employment conditions
- License if in a regulated profession
Source: Make it in Germany – Work Visa
Note: The BA refers to the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
Bookmark the Make it in Germany portal. It’s the official government portal – a reliable way to stay updated on visa types and requirements.
How to Talk to Employers So They Understand Your Visa
1. Frame Your Status in Familiar Terms
Say this instead of:
“I’m on an Opportunity Card.”
Try:
“I have a residence permit that allows me to work part-time (20 hrs/week), similar to a student visa. Once you provide an employment contract, I can apply for a full-time work permit.”
2. Speak Their Language – Not Legal Jargon
Avoid saying: “Can you sponsor me?”
Instead say:
“You don’t need to sponsor me. A job offer is all I need — I’ll handle the visa process myself.”
Avoid saying: “I want to convert my visa.”
Instead say:
“This visa is designed to transition into a full-time work permit. You provide a contract – I handle the rest.”
3. Position Yourself as a Low-Risk Hire
“This residence permit is part of a government program to help skilled professionals join the workforce. I manage the paperwork – the process is already defined and supported.”
4. Clarify That Trial Jobs Are Legal
“My visa allows up to 2 weeks of trial work per employer in my qualified field. It’s meant to help both sides assess the fit before moving forward with a full offer.”
Share the official website with the employer – Make it in Germany – Opportunity Card
How to Answer “Are You Legally Allowed to Work in Germany?”
Some job application forms may ask:
- “Are you legally allowed to work in Germany?”
- “Do you have a valid residence permit with full-time working rights?”
This is a confusing part for many Opportunity Card holders.
If you’re on an Opportunity Card:
- You are allowed to work – but only part-time (20 hrs/week) and trial jobs
- You do not yet have a full-time permit – that comes after a job offer
What should you click?
If the question is vague:
Select “Yes” and explain in your cover letter or follow-up.
If the question specifically asks about full-time rights:
Select “No” and clarify:
“I hold an Opportunity Card that allows part-time work and trial jobs. I can apply for a full-time work permit as soon as I receive a job offer.”
Sometimes, application forms don’t give you space to explain your visa situation. If there’s a comments section or optional field, use it to clarify. And even if it doesn’t come up in the interview, make sure to explain your work rights clearly – it’s better to address it proactively than wait for confusion.
If you’re applying for a full-time role and see this question, the employer is likely looking for someone who already has unrestricted work rights (e.g., PR holders, EU nationals, Family Reunion Visa holders).
Trial Job vs. Part-Time Work – What’s the Difference?
According to Make it in Germany:
While you are looking for gainful employment, you are allowed to have one or more part-time jobs (secondary employment) totalling 20 hours a week. You can also do job trials for a maximum of two weeks per employer. The aim of the job trial must be to obtain qualified employment, an apprenticeship or a qualification programme.
Part-Time Work
- Max 20 hours per week
- Any industry
- Paid regular jobs
- Legal under the Opportunity Card
Trial Job
- Max 2 weeks with any one employer
- Must be in your qualified field
- Must be intended to lead to employment, apprenticeship, or a qualification programme
If You and Your Employer Need Support, We Can Help
If your employer says:
“We’d hire you, but we don’t know how to handle the visa…”
That’s where we come in.
How We Support You in Berlin
We work with you and your employer to prepare the application and coordinate its submission through the Business Immigration Service (BIS).
📩 Contact us at hello@myrelocator.de for assistance
How We Support You Outside Berlin
We:
- Help you prepare and organize all required documents
- Explain the application process to your employer
- Guide you in coordinating with your local immigration office
- Support your transition from the Opportunity Card to a full-time residence permit or EU Blue Card
📩 Contact us at hello@myrelocator.de for assistance
Important Context for Your Job Search in Germany
Hiring is up to the employer
German companies have no legal obligation to hire someone with an Opportunity Card. It’s their decision.
Not every HR team understands the Opportunity Card
Many don’t know what it allows or how the process works. This is your chance to explain it clearly and professionally.
Don’t expect every German company or HR team to know visa procedures
Even well-established companies may not be familiar with how to hire international professionals. Be prepared to give a simple explanation if they’re unsure.
Be aware of visa-related scams – especially fake appointment sellers
As the Opportunity Card gains popularity, so do scams targeting international applicants. Be cautious of:
- People offering to sell immigration office appointments – booking appointments is always free
- Fake job offers requiring upfront payments for visa processing
- Anyone promising guaranteed Blue Cards or shortcuts through unofficial channels
- Individuals offering to “convert” your visa without going through legal procedures
If you’re ever unsure, verify everything with the official government portal.
We recently introduced a dedicated module on this in our India to Germany Job Search Accelerator Program after learning newcomers may fall for these scams – so people don’t end up wasting time, money, or risking their visa status.
High competition for English-speaking part-time jobs
With the growing number of international students and Opportunity Card holders, English-speaking part-time jobs – especially in major cities like Berlin – are highly competitive. If possible, consider widening your search to smaller cities or roles where basic German is accepted.
If you’re finding this guide useful, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I often share updates and resources that help non-EU professionals succeed in Germany.
Moving Forward with Confidence
The Opportunity Card offers a real path forward – but it also comes with unexpected hurdles. From employer confusion to application uncertainties, the process isn’t always clear.
These are common challenges in a system that’s still evolving.
With the right information and approach, you can move from uncertainty to progress. If this guide helped, share it with someone else on the same journey.
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