Do you qualify?
The Chancenkarte lets you move to Germany without a job offer and search for Java development roles for up to 12 months. To apply, you need a qualifying higher-education degree of at least 3 years. A 4-year B.Sc. CS from a Pakistani university meets the requirement.
Route 1 applies if your degree is fully recognised in anabin. Route 2 if not: you need at least 6 points.
Which route applies to you?
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| 4-year B.Sc. CS / B.Eng. from H+ university, programme listed as "entspricht" | Route 1: no points needed |
| 4-year degree from H+ university, programme not listed | Route 2: 6 points required |
| 3-year BCS or B.Sc. (Hons) | Route 2: 6 points required |
| No degree or degree below ISCED level 6 | Not eligible |
Route 2: calculating your points
| Criterion | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ZAB partial equivalence decision | 4 | Formal ZAB assessment required |
| Shortage occupation (Java development qualifies) | 1 | ISCO-08 group 25 |
| At least 2 years qualifying experience in last 5 years | 2 | Post-graduation, in your field |
| At least 5 years qualifying experience in last 7 years | 3 | Replaces 2-year tier |
| German at A2 | 1 | |
| German at B1 | 2 | Replaces A2 |
| English at C1 (with certificate) | 1 | Certificate required |
| Age under 35 | 2 | |
| Age 35 to 39 | 1 | Replaces under-35 |
| Prior lawful residence in Germany, at least 6 months in last 5 years | 1 | |
| Spouse applies jointly | 1 |
Points example:
Profile: 4-year B.Sc. CS (programme unlisted), 5 years Java / Spring Boot experience at a banking software house, age 29, IELTS 7.0 (C1): 1 (shortage) + 3 (5-year exp) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (English C1) = 7 points ✓
Financial requirement
€13,092 in a Sperrkonto before your visa appointment (§ 20a(4) AufenthG). The figure German missions apply in 2025-2026 is €1,091/month. Verify the current amount with your mission before opening an account. Budget €500 for the return ticket reserve.
Worked example: Waqas's Chancenkarte application
Waqas Ali, 30, Java developer, Multan to Germany
Waqas holds a 4-year BS Computer Systems Engineering from Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan (2017). He checks BZU in anabin and his specific programme is not listed in the comments as "entspricht." Route 2.
Profile: 6 years Java and Spring Boot experience at a Multan-based banking software house, age 30, IELTS Academic 7.5 (C1 English), German A2 started six months ago. Points: 1 (shortage) + 3 (5-year exp) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (English C1) + 1 (German A2) = 8 points ✓.
HEC attests his degree and transcript; MOFA attests on top. No apostille: Germany formally objected to Pakistan's Hague accession. His registered address is in Multan, Punjab, so he applies to Embassy Islamabad.
He opens a Sperrkonto with Expatrio (€13,092). After arriving in Hamburg, he works part-time (18 hours per week) at a Java consultancy while interviewing for permanent roles. Converts to a Blue Card five months later.
Document checklist
- Valid passport (at least 2 empty pages)
- Biometric passport photograph
- VIDEX application form
- Degree certificate with HEC attestation and MOFA attestation (no apostille)
- Academic transcript with HEC attestation and MOFA attestation
- anabin printout or ZAB Statement of Comparability
- Language certificate
- Experience letters (Java version, Spring Boot, Hibernate, Kafka, specific engineering scope, seniority) and payslips
- Sperrkonto certificate (€13,092)
- Travel health insurance
Which German mission handles your application
| Mission | Jurisdiction | Visa applications |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy Islamabad | ICT, Punjab, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK | Yes, via CSP portal (digital.diplo.de) |
| Consulate General Karachi | Sindh, Balochistan | Yes, via CSP portal |
| Honorary Consul Lahore | Lahore and Sargodha | No visas. Certified document copies only. |
Common mistakes
Adding a Pakistani apostille. No legal effect. Use HEC and MOFA attestation.
Applying to the wrong mission. Punjab, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, and ICT: Embassy Islamabad. Sindh and Balochistan: Consulate General Karachi.
Paying for APS. APS is for student visas only.
Sources
- § 20a AufenthG: Chancenkarte, Bundesministerium der Justiz
- Chancenkarte: Make it in Germany, Federal Government
- anabin database, KMK / ZAB
- German Embassy Islamabad, Auswärtiges Amt
- HCCH: Pakistan accession and German objection, Hague Conference on Private International Law
We are not a law firm. This page provides general information only, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the relevant German mission before applying.