Is the Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) or the Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified) faster to get?

They are similar: the §§20a, 20b AufenthG takes about 2–4 months and the §18a AufenthG about 2–5 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

How much do the §§20a, 20b AufenthG and §18a AufenthG cost?

Both carry roughly $100 in official government fees. That figure excludes legal help, document translation, skills assessment, and relocation, which often dwarf the visa fee itself.

Can I get permanent residency with the Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) or the Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified)?

The §§20a, 20b AufenthG does not lead directly to permanent residency, while the §18a AufenthG leads to permanent residency in roughly 4 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Does the §§20a, 20b AufenthG or the §18a AufenthG need a job offer?

The Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified) (§18a AufenthG) requires a job offer or employer sponsor, while the Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) (§§20a, 20b AufenthG) does not, you can apply on your own profile. That makes the §§20a, 20b AufenthG more accessible if you don't yet have an employer lined up.

Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) vs Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified)

Germany · §§20a, 20b AufenthGvs Germany · §18a AufenthG

Quick answerUpdated 2026-05-02

Only the §18a AufenthG leads directly to permanent residency. Which fits depends on your nationality, profession, and whether you already have a job offer, the breakdown below maps each visa to a profile.

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to whether you already have a job offer lined up. Germany's Job Seeker Visa gives you a year to find employment without needing an employer sponsor first, while the Skilled Worker Visa fast-tracks you into a role you've already secured. Your situation determines which path makes sense.

Section 01

§§20a, 20b AufenthG vs §18a AufenthG: what are the key differences?

§§20a, 20b AufenthG

§18a AufenthG

Processing time

2–4 months

2–5 months

Application fee

$100

Initial validity

1 yr

4 yrs

Path to PR

Yes, ~4 yrs

Points-based

Yes

Employer sponsor

Not required

Required

Minimum salary

—

Language test

Not required

Verified

2026-05-02

official sources: §§20a, 20b AufenthG · auswaertiges-amt.de·§18a AufenthG · make-it-in-germany.com

Section 02

Which visa should you choose: §§20a, 20b AufenthG or §18a AufenthG?

01
You have a job offer
Pick §§20a, 20b AufenthG
Job Seeker Visa if you want flexibility to negotiate or explore other roles first.
Pick §18a AufenthG
Skilled Worker Visa if your offer is confirmed and you're ready to commit immediately.
02
Path to permanent residency
Pick §§20a, 20b AufenthG
Job Seeker Visa offers no direct PR pathway after the visa expires.
Pick §18a AufenthG
Skilled Worker Visa leads to PR in roughly 4 years of continuous employment.
03
Time to start working
Pick §§20a, 20b AufenthG
Job Seeker Visa gives you 1 year to find and secure a position.
Pick §18a AufenthG
Skilled Worker Visa is valid for 4 years once you're in the job.
04
Employer sponsorship needed
Pick §§20a, 20b AufenthG
Job Seeker Visa requires no employer sponsor to apply.
Pick §18a AufenthG
Skilled Worker Visa requires employer sponsorship and commitment.

Section 03

Common questions

Is the Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) or the Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified) faster to get?: They are similar: the §§20a, 20b AufenthG takes about 2–4 months and the §18a AufenthG about 2–5 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.
How much do the §§20a, 20b AufenthG and §18a AufenthG cost?: Both carry roughly $100 in official government fees. That figure excludes legal help, document translation, skills assessment, and relocation, which often dwarf the visa fee itself.
Can I get permanent residency with the Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) or the Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified)?: The §§20a, 20b AufenthG does not lead directly to permanent residency, while the §18a AufenthG leads to permanent residency in roughly 4 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.
Does the §§20a, 20b AufenthG or the §18a AufenthG need a job offer?: The Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified) (§18a AufenthG) requires a job offer or employer sponsor, while the Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) (§§20a, 20b AufenthG) does not, you can apply on your own profile. That makes the §§20a, 20b AufenthG more accessible if you don't yet have an employer lined up.

Section 04

Read the full pathway