Job Search in Germany: Chancenkarte and the 18-Month Permit for Graduates (Guide)

#In short

Which residence permit applies when you look for work in Germany depends on where you earned your degree:

• If you graduated abroad: the route is the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card, § 20a AufenthG). It is first issued for up to 1 year. During this time you may work up to 20 hours a week on average and do trial work with employers for up to 2 weeks each.
• If you completed your studies in Germany: you can get a residence permit to look for work for up to 18 months under § 20 AufenthG.

Current status (checked 15.10.2026): The rules in this guide are taken from § 20a AufenthG and § 20 AufenthG. An earlier version of this page described a "job-seeker visa valid for 6 months without permission to work"; that description does not match the current text of the law.

#1. Chancenkarte (§ 20a): for graduates from abroad

#Who can get it?

The law sets out two routes (§ 20a AufenthG):

1. As a skilled worker (Fachkraft): if your foreign degree or vocational qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you can apply without the points system.
2. Through the points system: without full recognition you need enough points under the points table annexed to the law. You also need:
   • a state-recognised foreign university degree or a state-recognised vocational qualification of at least two years,
   • basic German (einfache Deutschkenntnisse) or English at B2 level.

Check how the points are calculated in the official sources before you apply.

#Duration and work rights

• The first Chancenkarte is issued for up to 1 year.
• During this time you may work up to 20 hours a week on average.
• You may do trial work (Probebeschäftigung) with employers for up to 2 weeks each.
• If you find a contract or a binding job offer for qualified work, the card can be extended for up to 2 more years with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Folge-Chancenkarte).

#Proof of funds

The Chancenkarte is only issued if your living costs are covered (§ 20a AufenthG). The law does not state an amount. The amount announced for students (€992 a month for 2026) does not cover the Chancenkarte (BMI notice BAnz AT 29.08.2025 B1). We could not verify an official monthly amount for the Chancenkarte in this check. Confirm the required amount and the form of proof (e.g. a Sperrkonto or a formal obligation letter, Verpflichtungserklärung) with the mission you apply to.

#Application

• You need a national (type D) visa. The national visa fee is €75 (§ 46 AufenthV).
• If you apply from Türkiye, check on the national visa page of the German missions in Türkiye which channel applies (Consular Services Portal or an iDATA / IOM-FAP appointment).
• Typical documents: passport, degree and recognition decision if available, language certificate, proof of funds, health insurance. The mission sets the exact list.

#2. § 20: up to 18 months for graduates of German universities

If you successfully completed your studies in Germany, you can get a residence permit to look for work for up to 18 months (§ 20(1) no. 1 AufenthG).

• It is not granted automatically; you have to apply at the Ausländerbehörde.
• Your living costs must be covered.
• It cannot be extended beyond 18 months.
• The job you look for must qualify for a residence permit, for example the Blue Card or a skilled-worker permit.

#Which route fits me?

#Common mistakes

1. Planning with the old "valid for 6 months, no work allowed" description. For graduates from abroad the current route is the Chancenkarte, with work of up to 20 hours a week on average.
2. Calculating proof of funds with the student amount. Confirm the Chancenkarte amount with your mission.
3. Working more than 20 hours a week on average. That is the limit on the Chancenkarte.
4. Checking recognition of your degree too late. The skilled-worker route needs recognition; the points route needs a state-recognised degree or vocational qualification.

#Sources (checked 15.10.2026)

• § 20a AufenthG — Chancenkarte
• § 20 AufenthG — residence permit to look for work
• § 46 AufenthV — visa fee
• German missions in Türkiye — national visas