Opportunity Card / Job Seeker Visa

Yes. This is the massive upgrade over the old Job Seeker visa. While searching for qualified employment, you are legally permitted to work **part-time up to 20 hours per week** in any job (e.g., hospitality, retail). You are also allowed to undertake unlimited trial work (*Probebeschäftigung*) for up to two weeks with a prospective employer.

You directly transition to a full Skilled Worker Visa (§ 18a/b) or an EU Blue Card (§ 18g) from within Germany without having to leave the country, provided the new role meets the respective salary and qualification criteria.

The initial card is strictly for 12 months. It cannot generally be extended, with one major exception: If you have found a qualified job but need to wait for the Federal Employment Agency's final approval, you can occasionally apply for an extension up to two further years to bridge the administrative gap.