Staying In Austria After Graduation: What Are Your Options?

Austria is an attractive country for international students, with its strong cultural scene, natural beauty, and low living expenses. For those who wish to stay in the country after graduation, there are several options available. For non-EU/EEA or Swiss students, the Austrian government has laid out several paths, including the point-based immigration system and the Red-White-Red Card. The latter is specifically designed to grant residence based on the skills of potential incoming workers and to fill shortages in the Austrian labour market. Graduates from third countries can renew their residence permit for up to twelve months to search for employment or start a business, provided they fulfil the general requirements under Austrian settlement and residence law. EU/EEA and Swiss students do not need a work permit or visa to enter the country and look for employment. They can take up any employment in Austria without a permit as long as their residence permit remains valid.

Requirements for permanent residency in Austria

Austria has four immigration systems for foreign nationals. One of these is permanent immigration, which is for individuals planning to live and work in Austria. To apply for permanent residency in Austria, you must meet the following requirements:

Legal Status

To apply for permanent residency, you must have had legal status in Austria for the past five years, uninterrupted.

Financial Self-Sufficiency

You must be financially self-sufficient, whether through independent means, a job, or self-employment. At the time of application, the regular monthly income must be equal to the equalisation supplement reference rate of the General Social Insurance Act.

Health Insurance

You must have had health insurance coverage for the five years preceding your application, providing benefits in Austria and covering all risks.

Accommodation

You must have maintained adequate accommodation for the preceding five years, and it must have been registered with the government.

No Threat to Security or Public Order

Your stay in Austria must not be contrary to public order or public security, nor should it substantially affect Austria's relations with other countries.

German Proficiency

You must complete Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, which includes attaining a B1 level of German.

Application Process

To apply for Austrian permanent residence, you will need to apply in person at the provincial government authority in your city. The application fee is €210 for adults, and processing times vary. Once approved, you will receive a credit-card-shaped residence permit valid for five years.

Work permits for non-EU citizens

Non-EU citizens are required to obtain a work permit and a residence permit for employment in Austria, including for Au-Pair jobs. If the intended stay is shorter than six months, a work permit and a visa are needed. The future employer must apply for the work permit before the employee enters the country. The work permit will not be issued during the visit to Austria.

The work permit application process typically takes around seven weeks. Applications must be submitted in German to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). The necessary allowance is issued by the Austrian employer. The basic assumption for an employment approval is an appropriate condition and development in the labour market, allowing the occupation of a foreigner as long as important public and macroeconomic interests are not opposed.

Non-EU citizens can apply for three types of work permits:

• Restricted work permit (valid for one year)
• Two-year work permit
• Unrestricted work permit (valid for five years)

These permits must be applied for sequentially and require substantial documentation. The Red-White-Red Card is the primary route for non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit. It is issued for 12 months and facilitates the immigration of qualified workers and their families with the prospect of permanent settlement.

Extending a student visa

If you are a non-EU student in Austria and you want to extend your student visa, you must apply for a renewal of your residence permit. Here are the steps you need to take:

Check the Expiry Date of Your Current Visa:

Before your current residence permit expires, make sure to apply for a renewal. The earliest you can apply is three months before the expiry date. It is important to be mindful of this deadline, as missing it will result in your application being classified as a first-time application.

Prepare the Required Documents:

When applying for a renewal, you will need to submit various documents, including:

• A completed application form.
• A valid travel document (passport).
• A passport-sized photograph that meets ICAO criteria (colour, size 3.5 x 4.5 cm), not older than six months.
• Proof of accommodation in Austria, such as a rental contract or confirmation of residence registration ("Meldebestätigung").
• Proof of health insurance that covers medical treatment in Austria and all risks.
• Proof of sufficient funds to finance your stay in Austria. The required amount is EUR 1,217.96/month for individuals, EUR 1,921.46/month for couples, and an additional EUR 187.93 for each child.
• A current extract from an officially recognised credit reference agency, such as KSV 1870 Information GmbH.
• Confirmation of your continuing university enrolment and proof of successful studies, such as passed examinations or credits.

Submit Your Application:

You must submit your application for renewal to the locally competent Austrian residence authority. In Vienna, this is the Municipal Department 35 ("Magistratsabteilung 35", or MA 35). In other federal provinces, you will submit your application to the competent district administrative authority or the municipal authority, depending on your place of residence. Remember to apply in person and allow sufficient time for processing.

Continue Your Stay Lawfully:

While waiting for a decision on your renewal application, you are allowed to remain in Austria. Even if your previous residence permit expires during this time, you are still considered lawfully resident. If you need to leave Austria temporarily before receiving your renewed permit, you can apply for an "emergency vignette" by providing well-founded reasons. This will allow you to re-enter Austria and is valid for a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen Area.

The Red-White-Red Card

Red-White-Red Card for Graduates

This category targets third-country nationals who have graduated from an Austrian university or university of applied sciences and received a suitable job offer that corresponds to their academic level. The prerequisites for obtaining this card are:

• Successful completion of university studies in Austria from a state-owned, accredited private, or university of applied sciences.
• A job offer from an Austrian company that matches the graduate's academic level and pays according to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

General Requirements for the Red-White-Red Card

In addition to the specific criteria for each subcategory, there are several general requirements that must be met to obtain the Red-White-Red Card:

• Adequate means of subsistence: A fixed and regular personal income is required to cover living costs without relying on local welfare aid.
• Health insurance coverage: Applicants must have health insurance that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks.
• Adequate accommodation: Provide evidence of legal title to locally customary accommodation, such as a lease contract.
• No threat to public order or security: The stay must not be contrary to public order, security, or Austria's international relations.

Application Process for the Red-White-Red Card

The application process for the Red-White-Red Card involves submitting the following documents to the competent Austrian representative authority:

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
• Passport photo: Must fulfil EU criteria and not be older than 6 months.
• Proof of qualifications: Updated CV, degree certificates, etc.
• Proof of professional experience: Recommendations, references, etc.
• Language certificates (if necessary)
• Employer documents: Employer's declaration, job description, skilled worker's classification, etc.
• Police Clearance Certificate: Not older than 3 months and may need to be legalised and translated.
• Additional personal documents: Depending on the case, further documents may be requested by the immigration authority.

The application fee for the Red-White-Red Card is typically EUR 160, but it can be higher if additional documents or a Visa D are required. The processing time may vary, and it is important to note that changing your place of residence in Austria during the application process is complicated and not recommended.

The EU Blue Card

If you are a graduate from a third country and wish to stay in Austria, you may be eligible for an EU Blue Card. Here is some detailed information about the EU Blue Card:

Eligibility

To be eligible for an EU Blue Card, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed a course of study at a university or other recognised tertiary educational institution with a minimum duration of three years. Alternatively, for information and communications technology professionals and service managers, proof of at least three years of relevant professional experience is sufficient if it is comparable to a university degree with a minimum of three years of study and was acquired within the last seven years.
• Have received a binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least six months in Austria, and the employment corresponds to your education.
• Meet the minimum salary threshold, which is reviewed annually. For 2024, the minimum salary is €47,855 gross annual income.
• Pass a labour market test by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) to ensure there are no equally qualified Austrian or EU/EEA citizens available for the job.
• For regulated professions, present documents proving that you meet the national legal requirements. For unregulated professions, present documents showing that you meet the relevant higher professional qualifications.
• Have a valid travel document, visa (if necessary), and residence permit or national long-term visa (if applicable).
• Provide proof of sickness insurance or proof of having applied for it.
• Not pose a threat to public policy or security in Austria.

Application Process

You can apply for an EU Blue Card before entering Austria or after you have legally entered and are residing in the country. The application can be filed by yourself at the competent Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in your home state or country of residence. Alternatively, your potential employer can submit it on your behalf with the competent residence authority in Austria (local Provincial Governor’s Office or district administration bodies). Along with the application, an employer’s declaration must be submitted, confirming the conditions of your employment.

The following documents are typically required for the application:

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
• Recent photograph (within six months)
• Marriage certificate or proof of registered partnership/dissolution
• Evidence or certificate of the family relationship
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Proof of completion of a course of study at a university or other tertiary educational institution with a minimum duration of three years (certificate of graduation and proof of the university's status)
• For ICT professionals: employer’s declaration pursuant to the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals
• For regulated professions: proof of entitlement to exercise the profession in Austria

The authority may request additional documents on a case-by-case basis, such as an extract from police records for first-time applications. All documents must be submitted in German or English, and their legalised versions may be required for review.

Validity and Benefits

After holding an EU Blue Card for a certain period, you may be eligible to apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus, which provides fixed-term settlement and unlimited labour market access.

Frequently asked questions