In Germany, for those seeking employment without a confirmed employment contract, professional experience is one of the most important criteria in the Chancenkarte system, which allows one to earn 6 points

This is especially true for applicants who have been working in the same profession for a long time;

"How many points does 2 years of work experience earn?"

"How many points is 5 years of professional experience worth?"

"Would 10 years of experience earn me more points?"

"Does my work experience need to be in the same field as my degree?"

"Is the Social Security Institution (SGK) service record sufficient for professional experience?"

"Is it necessary to submit an employer reference letter?"

These questions are frequently raised during Opportunity Card applications.

As of 2026, the legal basis for professional experience points 20b of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz – AufenthG) .

According to the current regulations:

At least 2 years of relevant professional experience within the last 5 years: 2 points

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience within the last 7 years: 3 points

It is profitable.

However, there is a critical detail here:

Not every period of employment counts towards Chancenkarte professional experience points.

The experience must be related to the applicant's formal professional or academic qualifications and must have been acquired after obtaining the relevant qualifications in accordance with the requirements of the law.

Therefore, the Opportunity Card only includes:

"How many years have I been working?"

not to the question;

"Based on what qualifications, between what dates, in what roles did I work, and what documents can I use to prove this?"

The question must be answered.

How many points does professional experience get on the German Opportunity Card?

According to the current regulation of AufenthG §20b/1, professional experience is scored at two levels.

At least 2 years of professional experience in the last 5 years

If the applicant has acquired at least two years of professional experience related to the relevant formal qualification within the last five years after obtaining that qualification:

2 points

can get it.

At least 5 years of professional experience in the last 7 years

If the applicant has demonstrated at least five years of professional experience related to their formal qualification within the last seven years, after obtaining that qualification:

3 points

can get it.

Therefore, for individuals with a long professional history, 3 points alone can provide half of the 6 points required for the Chancenkarte.

How many points are awarded for 2 years of professional experience?

2 points.

However, just two years of study is not enough.

The study:

happening within the last five years

acquired after obtaining the relevant formal qualification

And

related to formal qualifications

is necessary.

For example, if someone applies for the Opportunity Card in 2026 and has worked in their field of engineering for two years between 2022 and 2024, that would be considered in terms of this criterion, provided other conditions are also met.

How many points are awarded for 5 years of professional experience?

3 points.

For this, experience must be at least 5 years within the last 7 years

Additionally, the experience must be related to formal professional or academic qualifications.

For example;

Graduates of university in 2019,

Between 2019 and 2025, six years of work in a profession related to their diploma

and applying for Chancenkarte in 2026

A person may meet the professional experience criterion, provided that other conditions are also met:

3 points

can obtain.

How many points are awarded for 10 years of professional experience?

Even with extensive professional experience, the maximum score achievable from this criterion in the Chancenkarte system is:

It's 3 points.

For example;

5 years of experience → 3 points

10 years of experience → 3 points

15 years of experience → 3 points

it could be.

The official statement from the Federal Government also indicates that the professional experience category a maximum of 3 points .

Therefore, a person with 10 years of professional experience;

"3 points for 5 years of experience, and 3 points for the second 5 years."

They cannot get a total of 6 points in that way.

Can 2-year and 5-year experience points be obtained together?

No.

These points do not add up.

AufenthG §20b explicitly stipulates that the two-year experience criterion applies only if the individual does not receive points from the five-year experience criterion.

Therefore, a person with five years of relevant experience:

2 points + 3 points = 5 points

He won't take it.

Only the higher one:

3 points

obtains.

Does professional experience need to be in the same field as the degree?

The law requires that experience be linked to formal qualifications .

Therefore, while having the exact same title is not mandatory in every case, it is necessary to establish a professional link between education and the work performed.

For example:

Computer engineering graduate → software developer

The connection may be open.

Mechanical engineering graduate → production engineer

It is still a strong connection.

Vocational training in the field of electricity → industrial electrical maintenance technician

They can be considered related.

Against this;

Mechanical engineering degree → completely unrelated retail sales job

Experience points should not be expected to be automatically accepted in this regard.

The specific job descriptions need to be examined.

Is it mandatory for the job title to match the diploma title?

No.

Here, one shouldn't only look at the title written on the job card.

For example, a person's degree might be in "Industrial Engineering," but their job title could be:

Supply Chain Specialist

Production Planner

Operations Specialist

or

Process Engineer

it could be.

The key issue here is the extent to which a person's duties are related to their education and professional qualifications.

Therefore, the employer's letter should include not only the position name;

tasks,

responsibilities,

technical work done

and area of ​​expertise

It should be clearly stated.

The Federal Government explicitly states that employer documents submitted for professional experience must detail the duties and responsibilities .

Should professional experience come after receiving the diploma?

Yes, this is especially important in terms of the experience being scored.

AufenthG §20b links the 2 and 5-year professional experience criteria to professional experience gained after obtaining the relevant professional qualification or university degree

Therefore, it should not be assumed that all studies conducted while a person is a student will automatically be included in their Chancenkarte professional experience score.

For example:

University graduation date: June 2023

Start date of the study: January 2022

Application deadline: July 2026

The calculation of points for the period between 2022 and June 2023 should be considered, taking into account the legal requirement of "after obtaining the qualification.".

Therefore, dates should be carefully calculated, especially for applicants who started working before graduating.

Does an internship count as professional experience?

It cannot be said that every internship will automatically be recognized as Chancenkarte professional experience.

Particularly with regard to mandatory internships undertaken while attending university or vocational training, it is important that the law requires experience to be gained after formal qualifications have been acquired.

Conversely, the evaluation of certain positions held after graduation, which actually constitute professional work, may depend on specific circumstances.

Therefore, only on the document itself;

"Intern"

or

"Intern"

The writing itself should not be the focus; the nature and dates of the employment relationship should be examined.

Does part-time work count as professional experience?

The law outlines the duration and connection requirements for professional experience; however, one should not assume a simplistic general rule that every part-time job will be calculated in exactly the same way as full-time experience.

The study;

duration,

weekly working hours,

scope of duty,

actual nature

and the documents submitted

They should be evaluated together.

Therefore, the specific assessment of the visa authority can be important, especially with regard to very low-hours or intermittent work.

It would be helpful to clearly state the working hours and the nature of the employment relationship in the application file.

How to Prove Professional Experience?

The Federal Government's official Opportunity Card Q&A guide provides a specific explanation on this matter.

those who wish to receive points for professional experience must document their experience in their visa application .

The official source specifically mentions three groups of documents:

1. Employment Certificates – Employer/Employment Documents

These documents contain information from previous workplaces;

tasks

And

areas of responsibility

It should be specified in detail.

2. Detailed CV

In the resume;

working hours,

type of study,

the profession practiced,

career history

It should be clearly understood.

3. Reference Letters from Previous Employers

Employers must ensure that a person;

professional skills,

experience

and work history

Verified reference letters can be used.

Is the Social Security Service Record Sufficient for Professional Experience?

For individuals applying from Türkiye, a Social Security Institution (SGK) service record can be an extremely useful supporting document.

Because a person;

in which workplace,

on which dates

insured

It can help show that it's working.

However, the Social Security Institution (SGK) service record may not always show in detail what kind of work a person actually did and what their responsibilities were.

The federal government requires that the employer's document clearly define the duties and responsibilities.

Therefore, in a stronger file:

Social Security Institution (SGK) service record + employer's employment certificate + detailed CV + reference letter (if needed)

They can be used together.

For example, in a situation where only the company name appears in the SGK (Social Security Institution) record but it is unclear whether the person is working as an engineer, sales representative, or manager, a letter from the employer specifying the job title becomes particularly important.

What should the employer include in the employment certificate?

If professional experience points are required, it is beneficial to prepare the work certificate as clearly as possible.

The document specifically states that;

employer's name,

applicant's position,

start date of employment,

Date of leaving employment or information regarding current employment,

the nature of the work,

main tasks,

areas of responsibility

It may be included.

It is particularly important to clearly describe tasks that demonstrate the link between the work performed and the diploma or professional qualification.

The Federal Government specifically requires employer documentation to contain detailed information regarding the roles and responsibilities of its employees.

Is a letter of recommendation mandatory?

The Federal Government lists letters of recommendation as one of the acceptable documents to prove professional experience.

However, this does not mean that an application cannot be submitted unless a letter of recommendation is included in every file.

What matters is that professional experience is clearly proven with reliable documentation.

However, in particular;

The previous employer's employment certificate was too brief

no job description,

The connection between the position and education needs to be explained

In these cases, a detailed letter of recommendation can significantly strengthen the case.

Can the documents be in Turkish?

The official Chancenkarte guide of the Federal Government includes documents proving professional experience:

It should be in German or English

or

translated into one of these languages

It clearly states that it is necessary.

Therefore, it is important to prepare Turkish-language work documents obtained from Türkiye with the necessary translations.

The current translation and document format requirements of the German diplomatic mission to which the application is being submitted should also be checked.

How to prove professional experience if the employer has closed down?

If the former employer has closed down or is no longer able to issue work certificates, the applicant may not be required to completely forgo their experience.

Present in files such as these;

old employment contracts,

Social Security Institution (SGK) service records,

pay slips

Documents previously prepared by the former employer,

references,

Job descriptions

tax and company records

Documents such as these can be evaluated together.

However, it should be noted that the Federal Government officially specifically counts employer documents, CVs, and letters of recommendation.

The authority examining the specific application will decide on the adequacy of alternative documents.

Therefore, if any employer documentation is missing, the reason should be explained in the file, and the experience should be supported by as many independent documents as possible.

Does freelancing count as professional experience?

For individuals with a history of self-employment or independent work, the assessment should be more document-based.

The law's fundamental criterion is that professional experience is linked to the relevant formal qualifications and meets the required time frame.

While the Federal Government's Chancenkarte guide specifically lists classic employer documents as proof of professional experience, it does not provide a separate, detailed list of standard documents in the same section regarding the situation of self-employed individuals.

Therefore, a freelancer, for example;

tax records

company or sole proprietorship records,

customer agreements,

invoices,

project delivery documents,

customer testimonials,

official records showing the duration of professional activity

It is advisable to support their actual professional experience with documents such as these.

However, the extent to which these will be considered sufficient will be assessed by the competent German authorities in the specific case.

Therefore, in a freelance work history, it is particularly to clearly demonstrate the variety of documents and the content of the activities .

Can freelance work experience be used?

Freelance work may be considered if it is a genuine, regular, and formally qualified professional activity; however, relying solely on claims made in one's CV is risky.

For example, if a software engineering graduate claims to have provided freelance software development services for many years;

customer agreements,

invoices,

tax records

project documents,

customer testimonials

The duration and content of the activity should be supported by evidence such as these.

The purpose of the application is solely;

"I worked at it."

that does not mean,

"I am proving for what period of time, within what professional scope, and with what objective documents I performed this work."

It is being able to say.

Can experience working under the Bağ-Kur system in Türkiye be used as proof of employment?

A Bağ-Kur or other social security registration can provide evidence that a person engaged in independent activity during a specific period.

However, as with the social security service record, the record alone may not show exactly what professional activity a person is engaged in .

Because;

tax certificate

activity certificate

invoices,

customer agreements,

professional chamber records,

project documents

Providing additional evidence to clarify the nature of the activity may be helpful.

The adequacy of the concrete evidence is subject to the assessment of the applicant authority.

Does working two jobs simultaneously double the experience?

No.

A person working for two different employers in the same calendar period;

One year of experience does not equate to two years of professional experience.

The key factor in the points system is the individual's total professional experience over the required time period.

For example, having worked simultaneously for two different companies during the same 12-month period does not create a chronological 24-month history.

Therefore, overlapping work periods should not be counted twice when calculating duration.

Can intermittent work periods be added together?

The law requires a specific total professional experience within the reference periods of the last five or seven years.

Therefore, there is no explicit requirement that the experience must have been spent continuously with a single employer.

For example, the applicant;

One year at Company A,

I spent 8 months at Company B

Company C, 1 year

If there is a work history related to the same profession, it may be possible to evaluate the total of the relevant periods.

However, each era;

related to competence,

documentable

and the correct date

It should be.

How is the last 5 years calculated?

Scoring criteria are evaluated according to the application date.

For example, if someone applies for a Chancenkarte on August 1, 2026, the period considered for the two-year experience criterion will be roughly the previous five-year period.

Therefore, even if extensive professional experience is valuable in terms of a person's overall CV, it may not be usable in the Chancenkarte score.

For example, a person's:

They have 10 years of experience between 2008 and 2018

however, if they have not worked in their profession at all during the 2021–2026 period

It should not be assumed that 3 points will be automatically earned from the entire previous 10 years.

The law specifically requires at least 5 years of experience within the last 7 years for those 3 points

Does Long-Term Work Experience Earn Points?

Previous experiences outside the reference period may not be used in calculating the Chancenkarte score.

For example, in a 2026 application, if a person has 10 years of experience between 2005 and 2015 but has not worked at all in the last seven years, this does not automatically meet the 5-year experience criterion.

This does not negate the overall professional value of the experience; however, the time window must also be met.

What happens if I change jobs?

In cases involving a change of occupation, the link between formal qualifications and experience should be particularly evaluated.

For example;

electrical engineering graduate,

two years after graduation electrical engineer,

restaurant owner for the next four years

It should not be expected that a person's entire six-year work history will be automatically included in their professional experience score.

A two-year program related to electrical engineering can be considered.

As a result, provided other conditions are also met:

2 points

It may come up on the agenda.

Is working as a manager related to having a degree?

It depends on the specific task.

For example, a computer engineer after working as a software developer for a few years:

Software Development Manager

or

IT Project Manager

If so, the management role may still be related to their education and area of ​​expertise.

However, the decision should not be made solely based on the title "Manager".

The relationship between the tasks and the technical profession must be clearly indicated in the employer's documentation.

Are periods of unemployment counted as experience?

No.

Professional experience consists of periods of actual work that can be proven.

Periods spent unemployed;

It is not added to the professional experience period.

For example, in the last seven years:

He worked for 5 years

He was unemployed for 2 years

A person can still meet the 5-year professional experience criterion if their work periods meet the requirements.

However, it is not possible for someone who worked for three years and was unemployed for four years to claim seven years of experience based solely on the entirety of the last seven years.

Does military service count as professional experience?

This situation should be examined specifically according to the nature of the task performed.

The time spent in military service alone does not automatically equate to formal professional experience.

However, if a person claims that during their military service they performed a professional duty directly related to their professional qualifications, then this activity;

task type,

duration,

professional content

and official documents

This should also be considered.

Is it possible to obtain a Discount Card without professional experience?

Yes.

Professional experience is one of the criteria in the Chancenkarte points system, but it is not a mandatory point item for all applicants.

If the applicant can meet the required 6 points from the other criteria, they may not need points for professional experience.

For example;

Partial equivalence → 4 points

B1 German → 2 points

total:

6 points

it could be.

Furthermore, if a person's qualifications are fully recognized in Germany and the Fachkraft path, they may not be subject to the points system at all. Section 20a of the AufenthG stipulates that the Chancenkarte can be awarded in two separate ways: to a Fachkraft or to a person who has achieved the required points.

Does someone with a Fachkraft (vocational skill) need professional experience points?

Generally, no.

In Germany, a person who has obtained Fachkraft status thanks to a recognized academic or professional qualification is not required to apply through the points system under §20a/3.

Therefore, the person:

professional experience 0 points,

Age 0 points

Even so, the Chancenkarte conditions can also be evaluated separately in terms of the direct Fachkraft route.

Therefore, the applicant must first:

"Do I really need a points system?"

He needs to answer the question.

How to reach 6 points with Professional Experience Points?

Professional experience is used in conjunction with other criteria.

Example 1 – 30 years old, 2 years of experience, B1 German

Age → 2 points

2 years of professional experience → 2 points

B1 German → 2 points

Total: 6 points

This is one of the strong and frequently seen combinations in terms of Chancenkarte.

Example 2 – 42 years old, 5 years of experience, B1 German

Age → 0

5 years of professional experience → 3

B1 German → 2

Missing profession → 1

Total: 6 points

This example shows that a person over 40 can achieve the required score thanks to strong professional experience.

Example 3 – 38 years old, 2 years of experience, B2 German

Age → 1

2 years of experience → 2

B2 German → 3

Total: 6 points

In this case, a B2 level of German and two years of experience together can provide the required score.

Example 4 – Applicant with 10 Years of Experience

Applicant:

33 years old,

Having worked in the relevant profession for at least five of the last seven years,

This meets the B2 level basic English language requirement.

Point:

Professional experience → 3

Age → 2

Missing profession → 1

Total: 6 points.

Despite having a total of 10 years of experience, the applicant will receive a maximum of 3 points from the professional experience criterion.

Example 5 – 5 Years of Experience + A2 German

Professional experience → 3

A2 German → 1

Age 38 → 1

Eligible past residence in Germany → 1

Total: 6 points.

As seen, experience, when combined with other lower-scoring criteria, can also help reach the 6-point threshold.

Does the language requirement disappear if one has extensive professional experience?

No.

A person who applies for Chancenkarte via the points system also has the following under §20a/4:

at least A1 level German

or

at least B2 level English

It needs to be shown.

For example, a person's:

20 years of professional experience,

3 experience points,

2 years old points,

1 missing professional points

It's possible, and the total could reach 6 points.

However, if applying through a points system, they must still meet the basic language requirement.

Professional experience the entry requirement .

If I have 6 points, do I need to document my experience?

If you are using professional experience points, then yes.

The Federal Government explicitly states that if a person requests points for professional experience under the Chancenkarte points system, they must provide proof of that experience at the time of their visa application.

For example, according to your own calculations:

age → 2

B1 → 2

professional experience → 2

Total → 6

If professional experience cannot be proven, the German authorities may not accept these 2 points, and the total score may drop to 4.

Because:

It's not the calculated score that matters, but the verifiable score.

Is it sufficient for the employer letter to simply state "Worked for 5 years"?

It can be risky.

The official statement from the Federal Government requires employers to include detailed information about the duties and responsibilities .

The reason is clear.

The competent authority must ascertain not only that the person has worked for five years, but also whether those five years constitute professional experience linked to formal qualifications.

Because:

"He/She worked for our company between 01.01.2020 and 01.01.2025."

instead of a single sentence like this:

position,

duty,

responsibility,

working dates

The most detailed document available should be preferred.

Is a CV alone sufficient?

The Federal Government considers a CV to be one acceptable form of proof of professional experience; however, it also specifies employer documents and letters of recommendation.

Since a CV is a document prepared by the individual, supporting it with objective external documents creates a stronger file.

Therefore, if professional experience alone is a key factor in determining the outcome of your application (either 2 or 3 points), you shouldn't rely solely on your CV.

Why are dates important in work experience documents?

Because Chancenkarte's experience criteria have two separate time limits:

2 years in the last 5 years

And

Five years out of the last seven.

Furthermore, the experience must have been gained after formal qualifications have been obtained.

Therefore, in the documents:

day/month/year or at least clear start and end dates

It is important to find it.

Uncertain;

"approximately three years"

or

"for many years"

Instead of using specific expressions, precise dates should be used.

Can professional experience and missing professional points be obtained together?

Yes, scores from different criteria can be used together if the individual conditions are met.

For example;

5 years of relevant experience → 3 points

Missing profession → 1 point

B1 German → 2 points

total:

6 points

it could be.

Professional experience and lack of professional experience are different criteria, so they can be evaluated together under appropriate conditions.

Can professional experience and partial equivalency together earn points?

Different scoring criteria can be evaluated together if the conditions are met.

For example, a decision regarding partial professional equivalency/compensatory measures:

4 points

and two years of relevant professional experience:

2 points

It can provide.

In this case, the person can reach the 6-point threshold.

However, each criterion must be met individually. The Federal Government explicitly states that a partial recognition decision provides 4 points.

What is the biggest advantage of professional experience points?

Professional experience, especially;

Over 35 years old,

Those whose German is not yet at B2 level

No prior residency in Germany

It is an important source of points for individuals.

For example, a 42-year-old person cannot receive age-related points.

However:

5 years of experience → 3

B1 German → 2

missing profession → 1

with:

6 points

It is accessible.

Therefore, a long professional history can be an important balancing factor in cases where age points are lost.

The Most Common Mistakes in Professional Experience

1. Counting Each Period of Employment as Professional Experience

Experience must be linked to formal qualifications.

2. Automatically Including Pre-Graduation Work

The law requires that the relevant experience be gained after obtaining the qualification or university degree.

3. Giving 5 points for 5 years of experience

Five years of relevant experience is worth 3 points.

4. Accumulating 2-Year and 5-Year Points

A person with 5 years of experience cannot receive 2 + 3 = 5 points. The highest experience criterion will be applied.

5. Giving 6 points for 10 years of experience

The maximum score for the professional experience category is 3.

6. Taking Past Experience into Account

For 3 points, at least 5 years out of the last 7 years are considered; for 2 points, at least 2 years out of the last 5 years are considered.

7. Believing that the Social Security Institution (SGK) Statement Alone is Sufficient

The Social Security Institution (SGK) can show the duration of employment, but it doesn't always disclose the duties and responsibilities. It's helpful to have this information supported by employer documentation.

8. Failure to Include Job Description in Employer Letter

The Federal Government requires detailed descriptions of duties and responsibilities in employment documents.

9. Presenting Documents Only in Turkish

According to the official Chancenkarte guide, experience certificates must be in German or English, or translated into these languages.

10. Calculating the 6 Points and Thinking About the Evidence Later

The score that the German authorities will accept in the application is the one that the applicant can prove, not the one they calculated themselves.

Professional Experience Document Checklist

When an applicant requests points based on professional experience, the following points should be checked in their application:

When was the diploma or professional qualification obtained?

Is the experience for which points are being requested after this date?

Do you have at least two years of relevant experience within the last five years?

Do you have at least 5 years of relevant experience within the last 7 years?

Is experience linked to formal qualifications?

Are the employment dates clearly stated in the employer's documents?

Does it say position?

Are the duties and responsibilities detailed?

Are the SGK (Social Security Institution) records consistent with the employer's certificate?

Are the dates on your CV consistent with those on other documents?

Is it possible to obtain a letter of recommendation?

Are the documents in German or English?

Are the necessary translations of the Turkish documents ready?

These checks are particularly critical for applications that are right on the edge of the 6-point threshold.

Why is legal support important regarding professional experience?

The professional experience criterion for the Opportunity Card seems simple at first glance:

2 years = 2 points

5 years = 3 points.

However, in practice, the main legal issue is not so much the calculation of time, but rather the characterization and proof of experience.

For example, the applicant:

"I've been working here for the last five years."

he can say.

However, upon examination;

two years before graduation,

a year unemployed,

and the remaining time in a job completely different from their education

It may turn out that it passed.

In this case, the 3 points the person sees in their own account may not be accepted by the German authorities.

Similarly, a person may have genuinely worked in the same profession for five years, but if the documents they submit only contain company names and dates, and not job descriptions, it can be difficult to establish a link between qualifications and professional experience.

The Federal Government therefore specifically requests that job documents detail the duties and responsibilities.

A proper assessment should be made in these four stages:

1. To determine formal qualifications

2. Determine the date on which the qualification was acquired

3. Calculate the relevant experience period over the last 5 or 7 years

4. To prove each work period with objective documents

Therefore, the main question is:

"How many years did I work?"

not;

"Within the timeframe allowed by law, how many years of experience related to my qualifications can I document?"

should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points does 2 years of work experience earn on the German Opportunity Card?

Within the last five years, at least two years of relevant professional experience gained after obtaining formal qualifications 2 points .

How many points are awarded for 5 years of work experience?

Five years of relevant professional experience within the last seven years is worth 3 points.

How many points are awarded for 10 years of professional experience?

The maximum score that can be obtained from the professional experience criterion is 3.

Does 15 years of experience earn more points?

No. The maximum score for the experience category is 3.

Can 2-year and 5-year experience points be counted together?

No. Those who meet the five-year criterion receive 3 points; no additional 2 points are added from the two-year criterion.

Does the experience need to be related to the degree?

Yes. The law requires that professional experience be linked to formal qualifications.

Does my work experience before receiving my diploma count?

The experience criterion in §20b is linked to professional experience gained after obtaining the relevant formal qualification or university degree.

Is the SGK (Social Security Institution) service record sufficient?

It's an important supporting document, but since it doesn't always outline duties and responsibilities, it may be even stronger if supported by a detailed employer document.

What should be written on the employer document?

The employment history, position, duties, and areas of responsibility must be clearly stated. The Federal Government specifically requests detailed information regarding duties and responsibilities.

Is the CV sufficient?

A CV is considered an acceptable document in official sources; however, supporting it with employer documents and letters of recommendation can provide stronger proof.

Can a letter of recommendation be used?

Yes. The Federal Government considers letters of recommendation from former employers that verify professional skills and experience to be acceptable documents.

Can the documents be in Turkish?

Professional experience documents must be in German or English, or translated into these languages.

If I change jobs, will I not receive experience points?

The employer does not need to be the same. What matters is that the relevant work periods are linked to and documented with formal qualifications.

What happens if I change jobs?

Only experience periods directly related to your formal qualifications will be considered for point calculation.

Can freelance experience be used?

If professional activity is linked to formal qualifications, it may be eligible for assessment; however, since a classic employer certificate is not available, it is important to strongly prove the duration and content of the activity with objective documents such as tax records, contracts, invoices, etc. The final assessment rests with the competent German authority.

Is it possible to obtain a Chancenkarte without professional experience?

Yes. Six points can be accumulated from other criteria, or the individual may not be subject to the points system as a Fachkraft based on recognized qualifications.

If I have 20 years of experience, do I not need a language certificate?

The points system still requires meeting at least the A1 German or B2 English language proficiency requirement.

Can professional experience and B1 German be used together?

Yes. For example, 2 years of experience gives 2 points, B1 German proficiency gives 2 points, and being 35 years old or younger gives 2 points, bringing the total to 6 points.

Conclusion

In the German Opportunity Card, professional experience is one of the strongest criteria in the points system.

According to AufenthG §20b as of 2026:

At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the last 5 years = 2 points

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the last 7 years = 3 points

It is profitable.

The maximum score that can be obtained from the professional experience category is 3.

Therefore, it is not possible for someone with 10 or 15 years of work experience to score 6-7 points on this criterion.

In addition, the experience;

being related to formal professional or academic qualifications

And

obtained after acquiring the relevant qualification

is required.

Therefore, calculating only the total number of years worked is not sufficient.

Professional experience must also be proven with documents during the visa application process.

Specifically, in the official Chancenkarte guide of the Federal Government;

detailed employer/employment documents,

CV detailing career history

And

Reference letters from previous employers

This is considered acceptable evidence. It is important that employer documents clearly explain the roles and responsibilities. The documents must be in German or English, or translated into these languages.

In applications from Türkiye, the Social Security Institution (SGK) service record can be an important document supporting employment dates; however, since it doesn't always show the specific professional role a person held, it's more reliable to support it with a job description from the employer and other evidence.

Particularly for freelancers or those operating their own businesses, proof of employment through classic employer documents is not possible. Therefore, the duration of the activity and the professional nature of the activity must be demonstrated as strongly as possible through objective evidence such as tax records, contracts, invoices, project documents, and similar documents. The competent German authority will decide on the adequacy of this documentation in the specific application.

Professional experience can be a significant advantage, especially for those who score lower due to age.

For example;

5 years of experience → 3 points

B1 German → 2 points

Missing profession → 1 point

A total of 6 points can be obtained.

However, having extensive professional experience does not negate the formal qualifications or A1 German/B2 English language requirements necessary for the points system

Therefore, the correct order of evaluation in terms of professional experience for Opportunity Card applications is:

Qualifications → Graduation/Qualification Date → Work History → Connection to Profession → 2 or 5-year Period → Documents and Translations → Point Calculation

It should be in this form.

In the applicant's own account;

"I've been working for 5 years and I have 3 points."

Saying that is not enough.

The most important thing is:

Within the last seven years, after acquiring the qualification, it is required to be able to prove at least five years of professional experience related to the formal qualification with documents acceptable to the German authorities.