Germany: qualified job-search and next-permit preparation
The Opportunity Card supports a qualified job search in Germany for up to one year. Recognised skilled workers and the points route have different qualification and language conditions. It is not a job offer, permanent residence or general freelance permission.
Guide checked 2026-10-29 · review due 2026-11-05
Documents by person · 4 items
Primary applicant: Qualification and recognition evidence
Establish the recognised-skilled-worker basis or the points-route qualification. The points route also has language and points conditions. Keep official recognition/evaluation evidence.
- German Federal Employment Agency, ZAV ↗International Services Spotlight Issue 02/2026: Job Search Opportunity Card funds, qualification/language/points; limited work; Follow-up Opportunity Card
Primary applicant: Living funds for the search period
The 2026 benchmark is EUR 1,091 per month. Confirm accepted blocked-account, commitment or other evidence with the deciding authority; this is living funding, not a visa fee or job guarantee.
- German Federal Employment Agency, ZAV ↗International Services Spotlight Issue 02/2026: Job Search Opportunity Card funds, qualification/language/points; limited work; Follow-up Opportunity Card
Primary applicant: Mission-specific entry file
Obtain the current entry-visa checklist from the German mission responsible for your lawful residence. Berlin’s online residence application is for people in its stated eligible in-country circumstances.
- Berlin State Immigration Office ↗Opportunity card: procedure; prerequisites; documents; in-country work limits; applicant already in Berlin with qualifying status, not visa-free entry
Primary applicant: Berlin in-country file, only if applicable
Berlin lists passport/current permission, residence/address and housing-cost evidence, livelihood and health cover. Use this only if Berlin is responsible and the stated residence conditions apply.
- Berlin State Immigration Office ↗Opportunity card: procedure; prerequisites; documents; in-country work limits; applicant already in Berlin with qualifying status, not visa-free entry
Before choosing · 1 steps
Separate recognised qualification from points route
Start with the qualification and language evidence, not a self-awarded eligibility score. The Federal Employment Agency describes different conditions for recognised skilled workers and the points route.
- German Federal Employment Agency, ZAV ↗International Services Spotlight Issue 02/2026: Job Search Opportunity Card funds, qualification/language/points; limited work; Follow-up Opportunity Card
Application · 1 steps
Use the competent mission for entry permission
Confirm the correct application channel and document list for your residence before filing. Berlin explicitly says its in-country card service cannot be used after visa-free entry; do not treat a US passport as a workaround.
- Berlin State Immigration Office ↗Opportunity card: procedure; prerequisites; documents; in-country work limits; applicant already in Berlin with qualifying status, not visa-free entry
Before moving · 1 steps
Prepare a qualified job search and funding plan
Research employers and qualification recognition, and fund the whole proposed search. The initial card can last up to a year; it does not provide employment or unlimited work rights.
- German Federal Employment Agency, ZAV ↗International Services Spotlight Issue 02/2026: Job Search Opportunity Card funds, qualification/language/points; limited work; Follow-up Opportunity Card
After arrival · 1 steps
Observe the search-card activity limits
Secondary employment is limited to an average of 20 hours weekly; qualifying trial work is limited to two weeks at a time. The search card does not itself authorise self-employment.
- German Federal Employment Agency, ZAV ↗International Services Spotlight Issue 02/2026: Job Search Opportunity Card funds, qualification/language/points; limited work; Follow-up Opportunity Card
- Berlin State Immigration Office ↗Opportunity card: procedure; prerequisites; documents; in-country work limits; applicant already in Berlin with qualifying status, not visa-free entry
Renewals · 1 steps
Apply for the appropriate next permission when a job is found
A qualified offer may support a work residence title. The follow-up Opportunity Card is conditional where another work title cannot yet be issued; it is not a routine extension merely because the search continues.
- German Federal Employment Agency, ZAV ↗International Services Spotlight Issue 02/2026: Job Search Opportunity Card funds, qualification/language/points; limited work; Follow-up Opportunity Card
Confirm before acting
- The guide is not a job-placement service or an individual points/qualification assessment.
- The US-mission entry checklist, application charge and household rights must be confirmed for the actual applicant. Berlin’s procedure is explicitly restricted in scope.