Job Seeker Visa: Austria Application Process Simplified

Austria's Job Seeker Visa is a great option for highly qualified individuals who want to move to the country and are confident they can find a suitable job within six months. The visa allows you to enter Austria and search for employment for up to six months, but you are not permitted to work or study during this period. To be eligible, you must score a minimum of 70 points based on criteria such as age, qualifications, work experience, and language skills. If you receive a job offer, you can then apply for the Red-White-Red Card, which serves as a work and residence permit. The application process can take up to three months, and once approved, you can travel to Austria and register your address with the local authorities.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for an Austria Job Seeker Visa, you must be a "very highly qualified" person, which means reaching a minimum of 70 out of 100 points in the Austrian points system. Points are awarded based on age, qualification, relevant work experience, English language skills, and studies in Austria.

You will need to provide documentation to prove your qualification for the points-based system. This includes:

• Educational qualifications such as a course record book, examination certificates, or documents showing completion of a program of studies in Austria.
• A post-doctoral qualification or PhD.
• Proof of a gross salary from the previous year earned in a senior management position with a reputable company.
• Patent applications or publications.
• University qualifications for a minimum period of four years, relevant to the nominated occupation.
• Sufficient funds to be able to support yourself during your stay in Austria.

Additionally, you must have valid health insurance that will be valid for at least six months in Austria. The Job Seeker Visa allows you to stay in Austria for up to six months to seek employment, but it does not permit you to work or study. If you find suitable employment within six months, you can then apply for a work permit and a residence permit to stay and work in Austria.

Required documents

To apply for an Austria Job Seeker Visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Proof of educational qualifications, such as a course record book, related examination certificates, or a document showing completion of a program of studies in Austria.
• Post-doctoral qualifications or a PhD certificate.
• 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 that has received a positive report from the Austrian foreign trade office.
• Proof of patent applications or publications in the form of extracts from national or regional patent registers.
• University qualifications for a minimum period of four years, relevant to the nominated occupation.
• Sufficient funds to cover living expenses in Austria, to be presented at the time of application submission.
• Proof of relevant work experience, preferably in a senior management position.
• Valid health insurance that will last for at least six months in Austria.
• A valid passport.
• A residence permit application in German.
• Language proficiency certificates at the A1 or A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The certificate should not be older than five years. German language diplomas and certificates may be obtained from institutions such as ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, Telc GmbH, or the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). For English language proficiency, recognised diplomas and certificates include the Cambridge Certificate, TELC, IELTS diploma, TOEIC diploma, and TOEFL diploma.
• Documents proving that you meet the minimum point requirement of 70 out of 100 points. Points are awarded based on age, qualification, relevant work experience, English language proficiency, and studies in Austria.

Points system

The Austria Job Seeker Visa is a work permit that allows highly qualified applicants to search for job opportunities in Austria for up to six months. It is based on a points system, wherein an applicant must score a minimum of 70 out of 100 points to be considered for the visa. This visa is also known as the Austria Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card).

Points are awarded based on several factors, including age, educational qualifications, work experience, and language skills. For instance, a 30-year-old Russian informatics graduate with six years of work experience and good English language skills would receive 72 points: 30 points for informatics studies, 12 points for work experience, 10 points for language skills, and 20 points for age.

To apply for the Job Seeker Visa, applicants must submit their applications personally at the competent Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in their home country or country of residence. Along with the regular visa application documents, applicants must provide proof that they have reached the required minimum number of points to be eligible for the visa.

Once an applicant finds a suitable job and receives an employment offer, they can apply for the Red-White-Red Card, which is the actual work permit that allows them to work and reside in Austria. This application can be made to the competent residence authority in Austria or through the potential employer, who may file the application on their behalf.

Processing time

The processing time for the Austria Job Seeker Visa can vary depending on the case and the country from which the application is made. While some sources state that it typically takes around 1 to 3 months to process a job seeker visa application, others state that it can take up to 3 to 5 months. The legally stipulated deadline for processing the application is up to eight weeks after the application has been filed. However, it's important to note that the processing time can be as fast as 15 days or extend up to 45 days, depending on the level of scrutiny and the backlog of the Austrian Immigration Office.

Once you have your documents ready, you can begin the application process. Here are the general steps to apply for the Austria Job Seeker Visa:

• Create an account on the website of the VFS application center.
• Schedule an appointment at the nearest VFS center, or opt to submit your application online.
• Receive an email with the details of your appointment date and time.
• Submit your application form along with all the relevant documents on the appointment date.
• Await notification from the embassy or VFS once your application has been processed.

It's worth noting that the Austria Job Seeker Visa is exclusively meant for "Very Highly Qualified Workers" and follows a point-based system. To qualify, you must secure a minimum of 70 points, and the visa is issued for six months, during which you can seek job opportunities in Austria.

Red-White-Red Card

The Red-White-Red Card is a residence permit for third-country nationals who want to work as skilled employees in Austria on a permanent basis. It is intended for long-term employment, and holders are allowed to pursue self-employed activities in addition to their employed activity. There are seven subcategories of the Red-White-Red Card, and it is issued for a period of 24 months.

To be eligible for this card, you must have a fixed and regular personal income that enables you to cover your living costs without needing welfare aid from local authorities. This income must be equal to or above the equalisation supplement reference rate of the General Social Insurance Act. You must also have health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks. If you are employed in Austria and insured in the public social insurance system, this will suffice.

If you are a highly qualified person, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the competent Austrian representation in your home country or country of residence. You will need to have received a suitable employment offer, and you must score a minimum of 70 points according to the Austrian points system. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, educational qualifications, work experience, and language skills.

Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders can apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus, which grants them access to the Austrian labour market. They do not need to apply for a work permit and can carry out any job as long as the family relationship remains valid.

Frequently asked questions