Immigration Guide: Americans Moving To Austria

Austria is a highly developed country that offers a high standard of living to its residents. It is an attractive country for visiting students or researchers to work, but its rules surrounding residency and permission to work can be complex and bureaucratic. For US citizens, there is no need for a visa if visiting Austria for less than 90 days. However, if an American citizen wishes to remain in Austria for a period exceeding 90 days, they must obtain an Austrian visa. This involves applying for a residence permit and providing various documents, such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and confirmation of financial means to cover their stay. Additionally, those seeking employment in Austria will need to obtain a work permit, which can be a complex process.

Visa requirements for short stays

US citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. However, if they intend to stay longer than 90 days or seek employment in Austria, they must obtain an Austrian visa.

The visa application process can be completed at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to Austria or in Austria before their 90-day stay has expired. It is important to note that the application does not automatically extend the right to stay beyond the permitted 90 days if the processing of the residence permit takes longer. The entire process can take up to six months, so it is advisable to apply well in advance.

The visa application must be submitted no earlier than six months before departure and no later than 15 days before the intended start of the trip. The application requires a valid passport, proof of health insurance, and a recent photograph, among other documents.

US citizens should be aware that Austria collects the fingerprints of all visa applicants. Additionally, they may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket upon entry. It is also recommended to have at least two blank pages in the passport for entry stamps.

It is important to note that overstaying the permitted duration can result in monetary fines, bans on re-entry, and even arrest and deportation. Therefore, US citizens planning to stay in Austria for an extended period should carefully review the visa requirements and apply for the appropriate visa in a timely manner.

Visa requirements for long stays

US citizens who want to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period will need to obtain a visa. The visa-free period for US citizens in Austria is 90 days in any 180-day period.

To stay in Austria for longer than 90 days, US citizens must obtain a residence permit. This can be done by applying for a long-stay visa (D visa) first. This will allow entry into Austria, after which the holder can apply for the type of residence permit they want.

The D visa is issued for different reasons, including work, study, and family reunification. Austria issues a work permit, known as the Red-White-Red Card, to highly skilled non-US nationals wishing to move to Austria for work. This type of work permit is issued for a period of up to 2 years, and there is a set of requirements that must be met to be eligible.

Before applying for a work permit in Austria, employment must be secured; otherwise, the applicant will not be allowed to apply for the Red-White-Red Card visa. The application for this type of visa can be completed by the applicant or their employer.

Highly skilled workers can also apply for an EU Blue Card if they have a job offer from an Austrian employer and have the necessary professional qualifications and experience for the position. The EU Blue Card also allows the holder to bring their family members to Austria.

If a US citizen wishes to move to Austria for study purposes, they will need to obtain a student visa. Austria issues two types of student visas: Visa C and Visa D.

In this case, the applicant will need to get a Visa D, which is a long-term visa issued for a longer period and can be switched to a student resident permit. The applicant must be enrolled in an Austrian university before starting the application process for a student visa. Once they receive an acceptance letter, they can continue to apply for a student visa at the local embassy or consulate in their home country.

After obtaining a student visa, the holder can move to Austria and register at the registration office. Since it is a D student visa, the holder can immediately apply for a student residence permit.

Third-country nationals residing legally in Austria and wanting to bring their family members to join them can do so by applying for a family reunification visa at the Austrian embassy or consulate. The following family members can come to Austria on a family visa: minor children (under 18), partners in long-term relationships, and other relatives under specific circumstances.

The family reunification visa is valid for one year and can be renewed depending on the residency type. It also allows the holder to work in Austria.

Austria does not issue retirement visas. However, if a US citizen wants to move to Austria for retirement and is financially independent, they can obtain a residence permit, known as a "settlement permit except for gainful employment." Austria issues a limited number of these permits per year, so applicants must be quick to find a quota place. There are also other requirements that must be met to be eligible for this type of residence permit.

This type of residence permit is issued for a period of 12 months and does not allow the holder to do any type of work.

Work permits

Americans intending to work in Austria must obtain a work permit and a visa before travelling to the country. US citizens must first secure a job offer and then apply for a work visa, known as the Red-White-Red Card. This type of visa is issued to highly skilled workers from outside the EU and is valid for up to 2 years.

The Red-White-Red Card acts as both a residence and work permit, allowing the holder to live and work in Austria for a specified period. The application for this type of visa can be completed by the individual or their prospective employer.

To be eligible for the Red-White-Red Card, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having a concrete job offer with adequate pay that matches their qualifications. The job offer must also meet the current conditions of the labour market, allowing the employment of foreigners without opposing important public and macroeconomic interests.

In addition to the job offer, applicants must provide various documents, including a valid passport, proof of health insurance, and proof of accommodation in Austria. They must also demonstrate proficiency in German or English at a basic level.

It is important to note that the work permit application process can be complex, and it is recommended to seek legal advice or assistance from immigration lawyers or the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) to ensure compliance with all requirements and regulations.

For those who have not yet secured a job offer, there is the option to apply for a Job-Seeker Visa, which allows individuals to stay in Austria for six months to look for employment. This visa requires a minimum of 70 points based on criteria such as qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age.

Once individuals find suitable employment during their stay with the Job-Seeker Visa, they can then apply for the Red-White-Red Card through the competent residence authority in Austria.

Student visas

If you are a US citizen wishing to move to Austria for study purposes, you need to obtain a student visa. Austria issues two types of student visas: Visa C and Visa D.

To be eligible for a student visa, you must first be enrolled in an Austrian university. Once you receive an acceptance letter, you can apply for a student visa at the local embassy or consulate in your home country.

Visa D is a long-term visa issued for a longer period and can be switched to a student residence permit. With this visa, you will be allowed entry into Austria, after which you can apply for a student residence permit.

To obtain a student visa, you must provide the following documents:

• A valid passport with two full blank pages.
• Proof of accommodation.
• A cover letter mentioning the reasons for visiting Austria.
• Proof of financial means to cover the entire stay in Austria.
• Confirmation of enrolment.
• Proof of residence in the jurisdiction area of the Austrian Consulate General Los Angeles.
• Schengen Travel Insurance with a coverage of at least EUR 30,000.

It is important to note that the visa application must be submitted no later than 15 days before your planned trip. Additionally, the passport must be valid for at least three months before relocation to Austria.

Family reunification

Third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) who are legally residing in Austria and want to bring their family members to join them can do so by applying for a family reunification visa at the Austrian embassy or consulate. This includes American citizens. The family members who can join them in Austria on a family visa include minor children (under the age of 18), partners in long-term relationships, and other relatives under specific circumstances.

It is important to note that the family member residing in Austria must have Austrian citizenship or a residence permit for their relatives to be eligible for the family reunification visa. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed depending on the residency type. Family members are also allowed to work in Austria on this visa.

If the family member in Austria is an Austrian citizen, their relatives can obtain the "Residence Permit – Family Member" ("Aufenthaltstitel Familienangehöriger"). This permit grants unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market, meaning they can work as an employee and/or as a self-employed person and are not bound to one employer.

If the family member in Austria is a third-country national and is married to or in a civil partnership with an Austrian national, their relatives can obtain the "Residence Permit – Family Member" ("Aufenthaltstitel Familienangehöriger"). If they are in a relationship with an Austrian but are neither married nor in a civil partnership, the "Settlement Permit – Dependant" ("Niederlassungsbewilligung - Familienangehörige") may be the suitable residence permit.

For families where all members are third-country nationals and have no connection to Austrian or EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, the residence permit of the skilled worker in the family will determine the type of residence permit that their family members can apply for.

If the skilled worker has one of the following permits:

• Red-White-Red Card ("Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte")
• EU Blue Card ("Blaue Karte EU")
• Settlement Permit – Researcher ("Niederlassungsbewilligung Forscher")
• Red-White-Red Card Plus ("Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte Plus") (if the skilled worker previously had a Red-White-Red Card, an EU Blue Card, or a Settlement Permit – Researcher)
• Long-Term Resident EU permit ("Daueraufenthalt EU") (if the skilled worker previously had a Red-White-Red Card, an EU Blue Card, or a Settlement Permit – Researcher)

Their family members can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus.

If the skilled worker has one of the following permits:

• Settlement Permit ("Niederlassungsbewilligung") as a self-employed individual
• Settlement Permit – Artist ("Niederlassungsbewilligung – Künstler")
• Settlement Permit - Special Cases of Gainful Employment ("Niederlassungsbewilligung - Sonderfälle unselbstständiger Erwerbstätigkeit")
• Settlement Permit – Relative ("Niederlassungsbewillung - Angehörige")

Their family members can apply for a Settlement Permit ("Niederlassungsbewilligung"). However, a quota place must be available for this permit.

If the skilled worker has one of the following permits:

• Residence Permit – Researcher Mobility ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung Forscher – Mobilität")
• Residence Permit – ICT (intra-corporate transferee) ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung Unternehmensintern transferierter Arbeitnehmer ("ICT")
• Residence Permit – Mobile ICT ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung Mobiler unternehmensintern transferierter Arbeitnehmer ("mobile ICT")
• Residence Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung Sonderfälle unselbständiger Erwerbstätigkeit")
• Residence Permit – Student ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student")

Their family members can apply for the Residence Permit – Family Reunification ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Familiengemeinschaft").

Family members can also apply for a residence permit independent of the skilled worker in the family. For example, if they have their own job offer, they may be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card or an EU Blue Card.

General Requirements for Granting a Residence Title

The following requirements must be met for granting any residence title:

• Adequate means of subsistence: The third-country national must have a fixed and regular income to meet their livelihood without resorting to welfare aid. The income must be equal to or exceed the standard income rate, which in 2024 was €1,217.46 for singles, €1,921.96 for married couples, and an additional €187.93 for each child.
• Health insurance coverage: The third-country national must have health insurance coverage providing benefits in Austria and covering all risks.
• Adequate accommodation according to local standards: The third-country national must provide evidence of a legal title to accommodation that is considered adequate for their family size according to local standards.
• Providing evidence of German language skills: Family members must provide evidence of German language skills on an A1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages when first applying for certain residence titles, including the Red-White-Red Card Plus and the Settlement Permit – Dependant. Basic German language skills at the beginner level are required.

Frequently asked questions