JoeH

Proving finances for Chancenkarte

I am currently trying to apply for a chancenkarte in Hamburg to stay here and look for a job as the three months on the end of my Blue Card runs out (after being made redundant).

The form online is clunky... I have selected the option 'I have a residence permit or settlement permit and I need a new residence permit (transfer).' but then I need to avoid selecting the button that says my 'current' Aufenthaltstitle is 18g, as this then notifies me that 'Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals' will receive the request. I did this last week and received an email from them saying they are NOT responsible for Chancenkarte and i must direct my request to the Hamburg Service vor Ort instead. So this time I'm selecting 'my nummber is not listed' (although it is) to force the form to direct me to the Hamburg Service vor Ort instead.

This seems like my only option for directing a request to them for a chancenkarte...

My question is to prove sufficient finances, must i have €1,091 x 12 or can you submit proof of less funds and then subsequently recieve a Chancenkarte for say, 6 months?

Thanks for any help!

4 Comments

Reply (4)

AnnaGapa_volunteer

Hi there!

I strongly recommend you read the information about the Opportunity card.

For it, you must prove that you can support yourself without state aid — typically showing funds of €1,027 to €1,100 per month.

If you can’t show funds for the full 12 months, authorities may still issue the Chancenkarte for a shorter period, e.g. 6 months, if your available means cover that time.

It’s best to note this in your application or discuss it directly with Hamburg Service vor Ort, since they make the final decision based on your financial proof.

Hope this helps,

Anna, volunteer

My_Community_Managerin

Thank you Anna!

Dear @JoeH Additionally, you can also have a part-time job (max. 20 hours/week) to show that you can provide for your own livelihood. if your earnings are not enough, a blocked account with the difference can also help.

Wish you all the best! Happy if you would like to share your experiences.

JoeH

Thank you both for your feedback on this. I'm going to apply try applying for a Chancenkarte for 4 months with the required finances for 4 months in a sperrkonto. I will update here when i get a response!

JoeH

Hi both, Unfortunately I'm having real difficulties actually making the application here in Hamburg.

The Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals, which has previously issued my residence permits, advised me to contact the Hamburg Service vor Ort – Standort Eimsbüttel Ausländerangelegenheiten to apply for the Chancenkarte.

Following this advice, I attempted to complete the application via the recommended online service “Aufenthaltserlaubnis Hamburg.” Unfortunately, even when I click 'my card is not listed' to avoid the application being sent to the Hamburg welcome center, (when i declare i currently have a Blue Card it tells me it will be sent to the welcome center...) the application is automatically forwarded to the Hamburg Welcome Center regardless. This likely happens because the form requests my current residence title number or passport information.

I also tried both of the following options in the online form:

“I have a residence permit and want to extend it (Extension).”
“I have a residence permit or permanent residence permit and need a new residence title (Transfer).”

Unfortunately, both options still result in the application being routed to the Hamburg Welcome Center. (I receive a notification in my email inbox, and have also today received a second email directly from them asking me again to direct the request to the Eimsbüttel branch.)

Since the Welcome Center explicitly informed me that the Hamburg Service vor Ort – Standort Eimsbüttel is responsible for processing Chancenkarte applications, I would like to ask whether there is a way to submit my documents or application directly to the responsible office, or if you can advise on how it can be forwarded correctly. I have already reached out to the Eimsbüttel branch by email and also received a reply asking me to use the form.

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