Germany’s Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), introduced in June 2025, is a skills based visa designed to attract skilled professionals from around the world. This visa allows qualified individuals to live in Germany for up to one year while searching for employment without needing a prior job offer. It’s an excellent option for skilled workers, including UAE expats looking for new career opportunities in Europe.
Chancenkarte: Things to Understand
The Chancenkarte is part of Germany’s revised immigration laws aimed at addressing labor shortages in key sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, and trades. Applicants are assessed based on criteria like education, work experience, language proficiency, and age. Those who score enough points can obtain the visa and relocate to Germany to seek employment.
Key features of the Chancenkarte include:
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No job offer required: Applicants can move to Germany before securing employment.
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One-year validity: Candidates have 12 months to find a job.
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Path to permanent residency: Successful employment leads to long-term work permits.
Prerequisites for Chancenkarte:
Using the points system, you can match the required selection criteria with your own requirements. You must reach a total of six points to secure the Opportunity Card. The basic requirements are German language skills at level A1 or English language skills at level B2 as well as (at least) two years of vocational training or a university degree that is recognized in your country of origin.
You must also prove that you are financially secure, for example through a part-time job (up to 20 hours a week). You can prove this by means of an employment contract. (No points are awarded for the basic requirements!) Further criteria for the points system include language skills, professional experience, age and “connection to Germany”. The age criterion refers to your age at the time of application.
Points distribution for the Opportunity Card at a glance
Basic requirements:
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Sufficient German language skills at level A1 or English language skills at level B2
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At least two years of vocational training according to the rules of the country of origin
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Sufficient financial means (proof can be an employment contract for a part-time job up to 20 hours per week)
Four points are awarded for:
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Partial recognition of a foreign professional qualification
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Permission to practice a regulated profession (e.g. teacher, nurse or engineer)
Three points are awarded for:
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Five years of professional experience (in the last seven years) in the learned profession plus two years of professional training
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Average German language skills at level B2
Two points are awarded for:
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Two years’ professional experience (in the last five years) with preceding vocational training
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Being under 35 years old
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German language skills at level B1
One point is awarded for:
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Being under 40 years old
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Previous stay in Germany (at least six months, non-tourist)
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Very good English (C1) or reasonable German (A2)
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Vocational training/university degree in an official German labor shortage area
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Applying with your spouse
Why UAE Expats Should Consider the Chancenkarte
The UAE is home to a large expatriate community, many of whom are highly skilled professionals in finance, technology, engineering, and healthcare. For those looking to diversify their career paths, Germany’s Chancenkarte presents a golden opportunity.
1. Escape Saturated Job Markets
While the UAE offers excellent career opportunities, certain industries face high competition. The Chancenkarte allows UAE-based professionals to try for Germany’s growing demand for skilled labor.
2. Favorable Work-Life Balance
Germany is known for its strong labor protections, work-life balance, and social benefits—factors that appeal to UAE expats accustomed to fast-paced work environments.
3. Gateway to Europe
Securing a job in Germany opens doors to the broader EU job market, providing long-term stability for expats and their families.
4. Language Flexibility
While German proficiency boosts points, some sectors accept English-speaking professionals, making the transition smoother for UAE expats. Communication and friendship with other Expats also enhances the Germany experience.
How to Apply from the UAE
UAE residents can apply through the German embassy or consulate in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Preparation should include:
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Degree recognition (through the Anabin database)
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Proof of financial means (to support the stay)
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Relevant work experience documentation
With its streamlined process and career flexibility, the Chancenkarte is an excellent option for UAE professionals aiming to expand their horizons in Germany.
Visit Chancenkarte Germany’s Official Website and navigate through the essentials to find the appropriate sections for Applications.
Read More:
Schengen Visa for UAE Residents | Your Practical Guide to Europe
Spouse Visa UAE: How to Sponsor Family in UAE
Finalizing Remarks:
Germany’s Opportunity Card presents an unprecedented pathway for skilled UAE expats to access Europe’s strongest economy. Unlike traditional visa routes that require pre-arranged employment, this innovative points-based system rewards your existing qualifications and experience, offering remarkable flexibility.
For UAE residents – particularly those in high-demand sectors like engineering, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades – the Chancenkarte solves multiple challenges. It bypasses the common catch-22 of needing a German job offer to get a visa while needing a visa to secure a job offer. The ability to work part-time (20 hours weekly) during your job search provides crucial financial stability during the transition.
The program’s language flexibility (accepting either German A1 or English B2 as baseline requirements) makes it especially accessible to Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s multinational workforce. Professionals who’ve built careers in the UAE’s dynamic environment often find their skills perfectly aligned with Germany’s labor market needs.
