Germany runs two distinct visas for people who want to move there to find work without a job offer in hand yet: the long-standing Job Seeker visa (Section 20 of the Residence Act) and the newer, points-based Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). They’re easy to confuse because both let you enter Germany to search for a job, but the eligibility rules and what you can do while searching are meaningfully different. This guide covers the Job Seeker visa in detail and where the Opportunity Card fits instead.
Who the Job Seeker visa is for
Per Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, the Job Seeker visa targets people who already hold a recognized qualification — either:
- A German or foreign higher education diploma that is recognized in Germany or comparable to a German degree, or
- A vocational qualification obtained in Germany, or a foreign vocational qualification formally recognized as equivalent.
If your qualification hasn’t been formally recognized yet, you generally need to complete that recognition process first (or apply for the separate “recognition visa”) before this route is available to you — the Job Seeker visa assumes the qualification question is already settled.
Job Seeker visa vs Opportunity Card
- Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG): requires a fully recognized qualification; simpler, single-track eligibility test; typically issued for up to 6 months.
- Opportunity Card: uses a points system (weighing qualifications, German or English language skills, age, prior Germany experience, and connection to Germany) so applicants without full recognition yet, or with partial qualifications, can still qualify. It also permits limited paid work — up to 20 hours a week, or a trial job for up to two weeks — while job-hunting, which the Job Seeker visa does not.
If your degree or trade qualification is already recognized, the Job Seeker visa is the more direct route. If it isn’t, or you’re relying on language skills and work experience to make up the difference, the Opportunity Card is likely the better fit — check Make it in Germany’s Opportunity Card page for its points calculator before choosing.
Key requirements
- Recognized qualification — a degree or vocational certificate recognized in or comparable to a German one.
- Proof of funds — evidence you can support yourself for the full stay, most commonly a blocked account (Sperrkonto). The published minimum is roughly €1,028 per month, so a 6-month visa typically requires demonstrating just over €6,100 in available funds, held with a provider such as Fintiba or Expatrio and released monthly once you’re in Germany.
- Health insurance — valid Schengen travel health insurance covering your entire stay, with at least €30,000 in coverage, from a European insurer.
- No employment during the search period. This is the visa’s defining restriction: you can interview and network, but you cannot take paid work until you’ve secured a job offer and converted to a work-authorised residence permit.
Duration, fee and process
- Duration: normally up to 6 months to search for a job; those who completed their qualification in Germany may qualify for up to 18 months under related provisions.
- Fee: a standard national (D) visa fee applies, generally in the €75–€100 range depending on where you apply — confirm the exact figure with your local German mission.
- Where to apply: in person at the German embassy or consulate covering your country of residence, before travelling — this is not something you convert into after arriving as a tourist.
- What happens once you find a job: you apply to convert your Job Seeker visa into a work residence permit (or EU Blue Card, if the role qualifies) without needing to leave Germany first, provided the job offer matches your recognized qualification.
FAQ
Can I bring my family on a Job Seeker visa? Generally no — this visa is designed as a short, single-applicant search period. Family reunification typically becomes available once you hold a longer-term work residence permit.
What if my 6 months run out before I find a job? The Job Seeker visa is not usually extendable purely to keep searching; you’d need to reapply from outside Germany or pivot to another route, such as the Opportunity Card if you meet its points threshold.
Is the blocked account amount fixed? No — Germany reviews the minimum living-cost figure periodically. Confirm the current amount with your blocked-account provider or the consulate before funding the account, since applying with an outdated figure can delay your visa.
Can I switch from a Job Seeker visa to the EU Blue Card? Yes, if the job you find pays at or above the qualifying Blue Card salary threshold for your field, you can typically convert directly rather than applying for a general work visa.
This is general preparation guidance, not legal advice — recognized-qualification rules, blocked account thresholds and fees change, so confirm current details with your nearest German mission or make-it-in-germany.com before applying. If you want help organising your qualification recognition and funds evidence, join the VisaMet waitlist.