Last week I made a survey in the newsletter. 

The most voted result was “How to think about the Job Seeker Visa”

Also known as the Opportunity Card, or Chancenkarte in German. 

I will lay out the pros and cons for you here.

PROS: ✅

• You can come without getting a job beforehand
• You don’t need a University degree as long as you have qualified experience
• Regulations around this visa are becoming lighter
• You’re able to interview on-site and shake hands
• Networking

CONS: ❌

• You must show proof that you have money saved up in your bank.
• It puts you on a time clock. Could be a good pressure for some, bad for others.
• You don’t feel completely settled until the job is secured.
• Rent, cost of living, all the rest need to be paid, while you are job searching and not working full-time.
• Could take up to one month for someone to send you a contract after you get the verbal job offer.

Conclusion: The main idea is the time constraint.

By getting one year, or up to 18 months if you’re graduating from masters, you have to be ready to be successful in a shorter time frame.

My tip: If you are eligible, thinking of going for it, and you aren’t currently in a masters program… it’s best to make as many connections as you can with managers before you move to Germany.

When you land in Germany, you should already have some warm connections. Otherwise, the pressure can mount on you if you do not have a job and your time is running out. You should already be far into conversations before you travel.

One story from a client of mine.

She put off her serious job search until the last minute. She joined the spring program late.

Even though she has had interviews in the limited time so far, we’re also faced with another battle.

Now we’re also discussing with the authorities about getting a visa extension since she is enrolled in the Expats Job Miracle. At least we can point to 11 years of people finding their first job in Germany from Immigrant Spirit. But it still might be too late.

In the case of running out of time, you leave the authorities with a tough choice about whether to give you an extension.

Make sure you plan accordingly if you decide the Chancenkarte is for you.

Kind regards,

Kevin