Jobseeker visa under the point system (Chancenkarte)

• Application form for national visas, completely filled out and signed by the applicant (online application form via VIDEX) *
• Two recent biometric passport photos (45 mm x 35 mm) (photo specifications template). Please glue only one photo onto the application form and bring the second loose *
• Valid passport (or a recognised substitute travel document) *

• Tabular and complete CV. In particular setting out your prior education and employment *
• Self-written motivation letter. It should be clear which fields of work and positions in Germany you are interested in, where you want to apply, and where in Germany you intend to stay (including details of accommodation and other living costs). And — where applicable — which measures for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification you plan in Germany *

• University degree or vocational training certificate. It must show where and in which subject or occupation you completed the studies or training, and how long the training lasted *
• ZAB notice. As proof that your training or academic qualification is state-recognised, please submit a corresponding notice from ZAB (Zentralstelle für das Auslandsbildungswesen) or the corresponding digital information. Exception I: if your vocational qualification was issued by a German chamber of foreign trade (AHK), you do not need to submit a ZAB notice. In that case you must submit an accompanying confirmation from the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB). Exception II: if you already hold a partial-recognition or deficit notice (see below), you do not need to submit a ZAB notice *

Blocked account

• Blocked account with a monthly balance of €1,091 for the planned duration of your stay. Further information on the blocked account: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/sperrkonto/375488

Sponsor's declaration

• Formal sponsor's declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) by a sponsor in Germany. The declaration must be filed with the foreigners-authority at the sponsor's place of residence and must clearly identify the purpose of stay as 'jobseeking' (Arbeitsplatzsuche) or 'training-place seeking' (Ausbildungsplatzsuche). Only declarations bearing the note 'Bonität nachgewiesen' (financial standing proven) are accepted

Concrete part-time job

• If you already have a concrete part-time job (Nebenbeschäftigung) in Germany in prospect, you can show this through an employment contract or a binding job offer that sets out the weekly working hours and monthly earnings

• Medical insurance. Private medical-insurance cover from the day of entry, valid throughout the Schengen area; minimum coverage €30,000; valid for the entire validity of the Chancenkarte *

• Partial-recognition or deficit notice. A notice from the responsible state authority or chamber of industry and commerce that identifies the essential differences from German training and lists the necessary adjustment measures
• Language certificate. You must either have German language skills at A1 level or better, or very good English skills. The better your language skills, the more points you collect. The following German-language certificates are currently recognised: • Goethe-Institut e.V. certificates; • telc GmbH certificates; • Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD) certificates; • „TestDaF" from the TestDaF-Institut e.V. (institute of FernUniversität Hagen and Ruhr-Universität Bochum; exam level starts at B2 CEFR); • ECL Prüfungszentrum certificates. As an alternative or in addition to German skills, you can show very good English skills (from C1 level). IELTS and TOEFL certificates are accepted as proof of English skills. The certificate must not be older than 12 months at the time of application. If you have taken the exam in different modules, all module exams must have been taken with the same examination provider. Taking different parts of the exam with different providers is not sufficient
• Professional experience. For professional experience that you have gained after completing your studies or vocational training, you also collect points. The professional experience must be related to your training or academic qualification. Experience from auxiliary activities is not taken into account. As proof, please submit appropriate employer references or employer confirmations. The proof must show which activities you performed concretely. In addition, the social-insurance book or printout of the insurance history from the app, showing your previous employment periods, must be submitted
• Prior stays in Germany. If you have spent at least six months in Germany within the past five years (e.g. as part of studies or an Au-Pair stay), you receive a point for this. As proof, you can submit your passport with the corresponding visa and entry stamps. As an alternative or in addition, you can submit further evidence such as rental or employment contracts, enrolment confirmations, etc. Visit stays or tourist stays are not counted. Stays during a rejected or withdrawn asylum application are also not counted
• Joint application as a couple. If your spouse qualifies for a Chancenkarte as a recognised skilled worker or also for a point-based Chancenkarte, and you apply jointly, you also collect a point. As proof, please submit your marriage certificate and a passport copy of your spouse. Vietnamese certificates must be legalised in advance (for legalisation see: https://vietnam.diplo.de/vn-de/service/-/2489762)

• (Optional) Further evidence of preparation for jobseeking or training-place seeking already undertaken, e.g. invitations to job interviews