I have a job offer in Germany: Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) or work visa?
Short answer
A job offer of at most 20 hours a week can serve as proof of financing for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), says Make it in Germany. If you want to work more, it says you must apply for a different residence title, for example the work visa for qualified professionals or the visa for professionally experienced workers. 1
On this page
Which visa fits your offer? The hours decide
It comes down to the hours. Make it in Germany says a job offer for 20 hours a week or less can serve as proof of financing for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte).
If you would like to work more, it says you must apply for a different residence title, for example the work visa for qualified professionals or the visa for professionally experienced workers.
VisaRoom does not cover those work visas. If your offer is for more than 20 hours a week, check the pages of the German mission you apply to in Lagos, Abuja or Accra for the visa that fits.
Sources for this part1
Can a part-time contract count as proof of funds?
The German Missions in Nigeria list a part-time job as one way to show your money, in some cases. They ask for an employment contract for a part-time job in Germany of up to 20 hours a week, paying net EUR 1,091 a month. That is the same EUR 1,091 net per month they ask for as monthly funds.
Make it in Germany says the salary decides whether you still need a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Earn at least EUR 1,091 net per month (its figure for 2026) and you meet the financial requirements. Earn less, and you can cover the difference with a blocked account.
The Lagos Opportunity Card checklist itself lists only a blocked account or a declaration of commitment. The financial means page says a part-time job works "in some cases" and doesn't say which.
Applicants list it as an option, but none of the reports we hold describe someone approved at Lagos with one, so ask the consulate before you rely on a part-time contract.
How much can you work on the card?
Section 20a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) says the card only entitles you to work on average at most 20 hours a week in total. It also allows trial work (Probebeschäftigung) of at most two weeks each time. Each trial job must be qualified, aimed at vocational training, or suitable for a recognition measure under Section 16d.
Sources for this part4
What happens when you find a job in Germany?
Make it in Germany says that once you hold the card and get a job offer, you can apply for a new residence title in Germany. It names the EU Blue Card, the work visa for qualified professionals, the visa for professionally experienced workers and the recognition partnership visa. You apply to the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde, the local immigration office) responsible for you.
Sources for this part1
What applicants report about job offers
Two applicants report, between July 2025 and February 2026, that a full-time work contract was not accepted as Opportunity Card proof of funds, in one case at the preliminary review after months in the queue. They were told it pointed to a skilled-worker visa or Blue Card instead. If you already have a full-time offer, ask the mission which visa to apply for before you join the Opportunity Card queue.
Applicants also disagree on applying for an Opportunity Card and a Blue Card at the same time. Both views are in the last question below.
Sources for this part5
Reading the answer is the easy part. Say it out loud.
The officer will ask about this. Answer in your own words, then read what your answer missed. Your first practice interview is free.
Practise saying it out loudPeople also ask
Can I use a full-time job offer as proof of funds for the Opportunity Card?
Make it in Germany says a job offer of at most 20 hours a week can serve as proof of financing for the Opportunity Card. If you want to work more, it says you must apply for a different residence title, such as the work visa for qualified professionals. 1
My part-time salary is below EUR 1,091. Can I still use it?
Make it in Germany says that if your net salary is below EUR 1,091 a month, you can cover the remaining difference with a blocked account. 1
Can I apply for the Opportunity Card and a Blue Card at the same time?
The official pages cited here don't say. Applicants disagree: some say applying for both at the same time risks a refusal, others say the consulate simply asks you to withdraw one. These are applicant reports from June 2025 to May 2026. If you've applied for both, ask the consulate which one to keep. 5
Sources
- 1Questions and Answers Regarding the Opportunity CardOfficialMake it in Germany (Federal Government portal) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 2Proof of financial meansOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 3Opportunity Card checklist, Lagos (status June 2026)OfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 4Section 20a Residence Act (AufenthG): ChancenkarteOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 5Applicant reportsApplicant reportsApplicant reports gathered by VisaRoom · checked 2 Nov 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.
General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.