How many hours can you work on the Opportunity Card in Germany, and what happens when you find a job?
Short answer
On the Opportunity Card you may work an average of at most 20 hours a week in total, plus trial jobs of at most two weeks each (Section 20a of the Residence Act). The card is first issued for up to one year. With a work contract or a binding job offer for a qualified job in Germany, and the Federal Employment Agency's agreement, it can be extended by up to two years. That applies only if you don't qualify for another residence permit under Section 4 of the Act. 1
On this page
How long is the first card valid?
Section 20a(5) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) says the Opportunity Card is first issued for a period of up to one year. The law calls this first card the Such-Chancenkarte (job-search card).
The German Missions in Nigeria say the same on their Opportunity Card page: the card is issued for a maximum of one year, provided you can support yourself for this period.
How much can you work while you search?
Section 20a(2) says the card entitles you only to take a job of at most 20 hours a week on average, in total. The law's word is 'durchschnittlich' (on average), and it doesn't say over what period the average is taken.
It also allows a trial job (Probebeschäftigung) of at most two weeks each time. Each trial job must be one of these: qualified work, aimed at an apprenticeship, or suitable for a programme to recognise a foreign qualification under section 16d.
The German Missions in Nigeria put it more simply: during your job search you can do work trials or secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
What happens when you find a job?
Section 20a(5) lets you apply to extend the card by up to two years. You must apply during your stay on the first card, and the following must be true:
- You have a work contract or a binding job offer for a qualified job in Germany.
- The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) has agreed.
- You do not meet the conditions for another residence permit under Section 4 of the Act (Abschnitt 4). The law says the extended card (Folge-Chancenkarte) is issued only in that case.
Sources for this part1
What are the limits after the extension?
Section 20a(5) says the 20-hour rule from paragraph 2 does not apply to the extended card. It also says no extension as an Opportunity Card goes beyond the two years.
If you want a new job-search card later, the law allows it only after you have spent at least as long abroad, or in Germany with permission, as your earlier stay on a job-search card. The time counts from the end of that card.
The German Missions in Nigeria page does not mention this rule.
Sources for this part1
Do you still need to pay your own way?
Section 20a(4) says the Opportunity Card may be issued only if your livelihood is secured. Section 5(1) AufenthG says a residence permit generally requires this.
The statute gives no amount. For the figure the Nigeria missions ask for, see the proof-of-funds article.
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Is the 20-hour work limit counted every week?
Section 20a(2) says an average of at most 20 hours a week in total. The German Missions in Nigeria word it as a maximum of 20 hours per week. 13
How long can a trial job be?
At most two weeks each, under section 20a(2). The law does not say how many trial jobs you may do. 1
Can I extend my Opportunity Card without a job?
Section 20a(5) ties the extension to a work contract or binding job offer for a qualified job in Germany, plus approval from the Federal Employment Agency. The law also says the extended card is issued only if no other Section 4 permit applies. 1
Can I get a second Opportunity Card after the first one ends?
Only if you then spend at least as long abroad, or in Germany with permission, as your earlier stay on the job-search card (section 20a(5)). 1
Sources
- 1§ 20a AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 30 Oct 2026
- 2§ 5 AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 31 Oct 2026
- 3Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 31 Oct 2026
Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.
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