Germany has one of the largest economies in the European Union. However, due to its ageing population, the country is facing large workforce shortages. To help mitigate this issue, the country introduced the chance kart. Therefore, Chancenkarte is a new type of visa that will be introduced in Germany on June 1, 2024. It is translated in English as “Opportunity Card or Chance Card” and is a job search visa that allows candidates to move to Germany for up to one year.
Though the Chancenkarte has just come into effect and has already generated considerable interest worldwide, the application process may also become highly competitive, potentially leading to the waiting period for visa appointments. But the good news about this opportunity Card is that it has no significant restrictions as others. In addition, Chancenkarte allows candidates to take a trial job. This means one potential employer can hire him or her for up to two weeks, which entails forty working hours a week during these two weeks. One can enter Germany and legally stay for a year while looking for a job. With this offer, one livelihood with a good income is secure: The Chancenkarte or opportunity card allows part-time employment based on the minimum wage, which is €12.00 euros currently per hour. It is easy and fast to enter Germany because, with the opportunity card, candidates do not require a permanent employment contract in advance but rather can use the points system to prove their existing qualifications, which eliminates the need for a complicated examination procedure.
This offer is an opportunity for people with two years of vocational training, universities and professional qualifications from a recognised institution. The requirements for this offer are to have a valid passport issued within the last ten years, a biometric photo for the visa should not be older than six months with a bright background and frontal view of the face, proof of funds that shows one have financial security, the amount required for one blocked account standardised at €1.027 per month and for every month of year stay in Germany and then language of proficiency in either Germany or English. Chancenkarte will be granted based on a point system; one must score at least six points in the points-based system. These test criteria include age, language skills, professional experience, qualification in a shortage occupation, equivalence of qualification previous stays in Germany and lastly, skilled worker potential of spouses or life. Interested candidates can apply for the chancenkarte at the competent mission abroad in one country of origin or at his or her local foreigner’s registration office in Germany.
In conclusion, the Chancenkarte visa not only provides a quick and easy way to Germany but also plays a crucial role in addressing the country’s workforce shortage. As part of this new law on skilled immigration, the Chancenkarte offers skilled international workers from non-EU countries the opportunity to move to Germany and contribute to the country’s economy by seeking full-time employment.