The March 2026 amendment to § 20a of the Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) makes one material change to the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card):
Extended validity
The residence permit issued under § 20a is now valid for 24 months, doubled from the original 12-month period. Holders who entered Germany before the amendment came into force may apply for an extension at the responsible Ausländerbehörde.
Scoring criteria remain unchanged
The four pillars — qualifications, language proficiency, professional experience, and connection to Germany — continue to apply. The points threshold and scoring methodology are unaffected by this amendment.
Practical implications for applicants
The extended validity period provides significantly more runway to secure an employment offer, reducing the time pressure that made the original 12-month window challenging in competitive job markets.
This change applies to applications submitted on or after the amendment's entry into force. Pending applications will not be adjudicated under the new rules unless re-submitted.