Job Seeker Visa: Austria's Application Process And Requirements

If you're a highly skilled non-EU citizen without a job offer, you can apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa. This visa is valid for 6 months, allowing you to search for a job in Austria legally. To qualify for the Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the same 70-point requirement as for the Very Highly Qualified Workers visa. You can apply for the visa at the responsible Austrian representative authority (embassy/consulate) in your country of residence.

How to apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa

If you're a highly skilled non-EU citizen without a job offer, you can apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa. This visa is valid for 6 months, allowing you to search for a job in Austria legally. To qualify for the Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the same 70-point requirement as for the Very Highly Qualified Workers visa. The application costs €150 and you need to provide proof of payment when applying.

You can apply for the Job Seeker Visa at the responsible Austrian representative authority (embassy/consulate) in your country of residence. In addition to the regular visa application documents, you must enclose documents that prove you reach the required minimum number of points to receive the Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers. These documents are then sent for review to the Austrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice, or AMS) in Austria. If this assessment is positive, and you fulfil the other prerequisites for a visa, the responsible representative authority will grant you the Job Seeker Visa.

Documents that prove you reach the required minimum number of points include:

• University diploma
• Proof of professional experience
• Language certificates
• Education qualifications such as a course record book and related examination certificates
• Proof of completion of a program of studies in Austria
• Post-doctoral qualification or PhD
• Proof of a gross salary of the previous year earned in a senior management position with a company listed on the stock exchange or a company for which the Austrian foreign trade office has given a positive report regarding their business activities
• Patent applications and publications
• University qualifications for a minimum period of 4 years, which should be in connection with the nominated occupation
• Confirmation of German or English language skills in the form of an internationally recognised diploma
• Local residence proof, which includes lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks for six months

The documents you need to apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa

To apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa, you must submit your application to the responsible Austrian representative authority (embassy/consulate) in your country of residence. This visa is for highly skilled non-EU citizens without a job offer and is valid for six months.

• Proof of payment of the €150 application fee
• Documents proving you reach the required minimum number of points to receive the Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers, such as a university diploma, proof of professional experience, and language certificates
• Proof of German or English language skills in the form of an internationally recognised diploma
• Local residence proof, such as lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights, or ownership evidence
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks for six months
• Education qualifications, such as a course record book, related examination certificates, or a document showing completion of a programme of studies in Austria
• Post-doctoral qualification or PhD
• Proof of a gross salary from the previous year earned in a senior management position with a company listed on the stock exchange or a company for which the Austrian foreign trade office has given a positive report regarding their business activities
• Patent applications and publications
• University qualifications for a minimum period of four years, which should be in connection with the nominated occupation.

The qualifications you need to apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa

To apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa, you must be a highly skilled non-EU citizen without a job offer. The visa is valid for six months, during which you can legally search for a job in Austria. Once you have found a job, you will need to apply for an Austrian work permit, such as a Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers.

To qualify for the Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the same 70-point requirement as for the Very Highly Qualified Workers visa. You can prove your points by submitting documents such as university diplomas, proof of professional experience, and language certificates. You will also need to provide proof of payment for the €150 application fee.

The Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice - AMS) must confirm that you have reached the required number of points for admission. You will need to show confirmation of German or English language skills in the form of an internationally recognised diploma.

Other documents that may be required include local residence proof (such as lease contracts or ownership evidence) and proof of health insurance covering all risks for six months.

The costs of applying for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa

The Austrian Job Seeker Visa is a six-month visa for highly skilled non-EU citizens without a job offer. It allows you to search for a job in Austria legally, and once you have found a job, you will need to apply for an Austrian work permit. To qualify for the Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the same 70-point requirement as for the Very Highly Qualified Workers Visa. The application costs €150 and you will need to provide proof of payment when applying.

In addition to the regular visa application documents, you will need to enclose documents that prove you reach the required minimum number of points to receive the Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers. These documents are subsequently sent for review to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) in Austria. If the assessment by the AMS is positive, and you fulfil the other prerequisites for a visa, the responsible representative authority (embassy/consulate) will grant you the Job Seeker Visa.

Documents required to prove you meet the 70-point requirement may include:

• University diploma
• Proof of professional experience
• Language certificates (German or English)
• Education qualifications (e.g. course record book, examination certificates, PhD)
• Proof of a gross salary from the previous year earned in a senior management position with a company listed on the stock exchange or a company for which the Austrian foreign trade office has given a positive report regarding their business activities

The length of time an Austrian Job Seeker Visa is valid for

The Austrian Job Seeker Visa is valid for six months. During this time, you can search for a job in Austria legally. Once you have found a job, you will need to apply for an Austrian work permit, such as a Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers.

To qualify for the Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the same 70-point requirement as for the Very Highly Qualified Workers visa. The application costs €150, and you will need to provide proof of payment when applying. You will also need to show confirmation of German or English language skills in the form of an internationally recognised diploma.

Frequently asked questions