Germany has already issued around 2,500 opportunity cards
Maciej Ruminkiewicz, Unsplash
The opportunity card has attracted the attention of foreigners because it allows them to obtain a visa to look for work in Germany without a work contract, allowing them to stay in the country for one year. Since June, when this type of visa was introduced, around 2,500 have been issued, according to the German Interior Ministry, with the highest number going to citizens of India (780), followed by China, Turkey and Pakistan.
Despite the growing interest in the opportunity card, Misbah Khan of the Green Party notes that demand would be even higher were it not for the difficulties in the visa application process. Germany needs to attract up to 400,000 workers a year, especially in the health and technology sectors, and reducing regulatory barriers could improve the labour market.
However, experts at the Institute for Job Markets and Career Research (IAB) believe that the Chance Card will not be a successful initiative because of the many requirements for applicants, such as language skills, recognised qualifications and proof of financial solvency for the duration of their stay.
