Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria is an attractive country for foreign workers due to its strong economy and good work conditions. However, the process of obtaining a work permit in Austria can be complex and bureaucratic. The type of work permit and visa you need will depend on your situation, and you will likely need to apply for a work permit and a visa separately. This article will outline the different types of work permits and visas available in Austria and explain the application process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa-free regime | No need for a Job Seeker Visa if you find a job matching your qualifications during your stay |
| Job Seeker Visa | Allows you to stay in Austria for six months while you search for employment |
| Red-White-Red Card | Requires a concrete employment offer with adequate pay and matching qualifications; valid for 24 months; allows applicants to live in Austria but restricts employment to the specified employer |
| EU Blue Card | Requires completion of tertiary education at an accredited university (minimum three-year program) and a salary at least 1.5 times higher than the annual salary in Austria |
| Points-based system | Applicants must score a minimum of 70 points based on factors like qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age |
| Labour market test | Required for certain types of work permits and can lengthen the processing time |
| Processing time | Austrian work permits typically take 6-12 weeks to process, while Schengen visas can take 15-45 days |
| Required documents | Passport, job contract, proof of accommodation, health coverage, proof of connection to home country, etc. |
| Application process | Submit application form, pay the fee, set up an appointment, and attend the visa interview with completed form and documents |
| Residence permit | Required for non-EU citizens staying in Austria; must be obtained separately from the work permit |
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What You'll Learn
Red-White-Red Card
The Red-White-Red Card is a combination of residence permit and employment permit for qualified third-country workers. It is the most common type of work visa in Austria. The primary requirement for a Red-White-Red Card is a concrete employment offer from an Austrian employer that provides a competitive salary and matches your qualifications.
If you do not have a job offer, you can come to Austria to look for work for six months on a Job-Seeker Visa. You may apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the competent Austrian representation in your home country or your country of residence, provided that you have received an employment offer. You can also apply for a Red-White-Red Card during your lawful visa-free stay in Austria.
To be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card, you must score a minimum of 70 points based on a list of criteria, which includes factors like qualifications, work experience, language skills and age. The Red-White-Red Card is generally issued for a period of 24 months. As a holder of a Red-White-Red Card, you are entitled to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application. You can also work self-employed, provided that all other legal requirements are fulfilled.
The Red-White-Red Card has seven subcategories, including the Red-White-Red Card for Graduates, which is for individuals who have completed their studies in Austria and received a job offer. Another subcategory is the Red-White-Red Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, which is aimed at third-country nationals who have a job offer and training in an occupation that is in high demand in Austria.
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Job Seeker Visa
The Austria Job Seeker Visa is a points-based visa that allows very highly qualified workers to enter Austria and search for a job for up to six months. The visa requires a minimum of 70 points based on factors such as age, qualifications, work experience, and language skills.
To apply for a Job Seeker Visa, you must submit your application personally at the competent Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in your home country or country of residence. Application forms are available at the Austrian representative authority. You will need to provide proof of health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks. The authorities will accept travel health insurance, provided it covers costs above €30,000 and includes potential rescue and return costs.
Upon receiving an offer letter from an employer in Austria, you can convert your Job Seeker Visa to a Red-White-Red (RWR) Card. The RWR Card is a combination of residence and employment permit, allowing you to work for the specified employer in Austria. To qualify for the RWR Card, you must have a concrete job offer with a competitive salary that matches your qualifications. The card is generally issued for a period of 24 months.
After 21 months on the RWR Card and working for the specified employer, you can apply for an RWR Card Plus, which allows you to work for any employer in Austria. The entire process, from the Job Seeker Visa to the RWR Card Plus, can take around 29 months to complete.
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EU Blue Card
To work in Austria, you must first apply for a work permit. One type of work permit in Austria is the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is not based on a points system and has a maximum processing time of eight weeks.
To qualify for an EU Blue Card, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have completed your tertiary education at an accredited university (at least a three-year program).
- Your salary must be at least 1.5 times higher than the annual salary in Austria (around €65,000 in 2021).
- There must be no one qualified for the position who is registered as a job seeker with the Public Employment Service.
- You must have secured work for at least one year in Austria.
- You must have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment for at least six months.
- You must meet the minimum salary threshold in Austria.
- You must undergo a labour market test by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS).
- For regulated professions, you must present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met. For unregulated professions, you must present documents proving that you have the relevant higher professional qualifications.
- You must have a valid travel document, and you may need to apply for a visa or have a visa to enter Austria.
If your application for an EU Blue Card is granted, you will be informed by the residence authority. The EU Blue Card entitles you to fixed-term settlement and employment with a specific employer for a validity of 24 months. You can also work as a self-employed individual if this additional employment is subsidiary to your main employment and all other legal requirements are fulfilled.
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Work permit application process
To work in Austria, you must first apply for a work permit. The most common type of work permit in Austria is the Red-White-Red Card, which is valid for 24 months and allows applicants to live and work in Austria. The primary requirement for a Red-White-Red Card is a concrete employment offer that matches your qualifications and offers adequate pay. If you do not yet have a job offer, you can come to Austria to look for work for six months on a Job-Seeker Visa. You may then apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the competent Austrian representation in your home country or country of residence.
To obtain a Red-White-Red Card, you must reach a minimum of 70 points based on a list of criteria, including qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age. The card is typically processed within 6 to 12 weeks, and once you have it, you are entitled to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen or a citizen of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you do not need a work permit or visa to enter and reside in Austria for up to 90 days per 180 days. If you wish to stay longer, you must obtain a certificate of registration (Anmeldebescheinigung).
For non-EU residents, a work permit requires a lot of supporting documentation, which must be submitted in German at the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). The approval process typically takes about seven weeks. If approved, future employees are required to obtain a visa application in their usual country of residence. Work permits must be applied for by the prospective employer.
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Work visa application process
To work in Austria, you need both a work permit and a visa. The type of work visa and work permit you need will depend on your employee's category, your desired visa, and your personal circumstances.
The first step in the work visa application process is to determine which type of work visa you need. The most common type of work visa in Austria is the Red-White-Red Card. This visa is for very highly qualified workers and is generally issued for a period of 24 months. To be eligible for this visa, you must have a concrete job offer from an Austrian employer that provides a competitive salary and matches your qualifications. You must also score a minimum of 70 points based on a list of criteria, including factors like qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age.
If you do not yet have a job offer, you can apply for a Job Seeker Visa, which allows you to stay in Austria for six months while you search for employment. To be eligible for this visa, you must also score a minimum of 70 points. Once you have found a job, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card.
Another option for highly skilled workers is the EU Blue Card. This card is not based on a points system, but there are other criteria that must be met, including completing tertiary education at an accredited university and earning a salary that is at least 1.5 times higher than the annual salary in Austria.
Once you have determined which type of work visa you need, you can begin the application process. If you are applying for a Job Seeker Visa, you must apply for it in person at the competent Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in your home country or country of residence. For other types of work visas, you can apply at your local Austrian embassy or consulate, or your employer may apply for you in Austria. It is recommended to begin the process 4-6 months before your planned arrival date.
Regardless of the type of visa, you will need to submit various documents, including your passport, job contract, proof of accommodation, and health coverage. You may also need to provide proof of connection to your home country, such as family ties. If you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you will need to submit these documents in German.
After submitting your application and paying the required fee, you may be invited to attend a visa interview at the Austrian consulate or embassy. The processing time for a work visa can vary, but it typically takes around 8 weeks. However, Austrian work permits can take up to 12 weeks to process, depending on the permit type.
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Frequently asked questions
A work permit allows you to work and live in Austria, while a work visa (Visa D) is required to enter the country for work. You need to apply for both separately.
The Red-White-Red Card is the most common type of work permit, which is issued for very highly qualified workers.
You need a concrete job offer from an Austrian employer that provides a competitive salary. You must also score a minimum of 70 points based on criteria like qualifications, work experience, language skills and age.
It typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to process a work permit, but it can vary depending on the permit type.
You will need documents like your passport, job contract, proof of accommodation, and health coverage. Proof of connection to your home country (e.g. family ties) may also be required.
