Immigrate To Austria: Steps To Take For A Successful Move

Austria is a highly desirable country to immigrate to, with its high standard of living, excellent work-life balance, and high safety ranking. The process of immigrating to Austria depends on where you are immigrating from. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can move to Austria permanently without a visa, as long as they are working, studying, or have an Austrian family member. Non-EU/EFTA nationals will need a visa and a residence permit. This includes a D visa (a long-stay visa) and a type of residence permit, which can be obtained at an Austrian embassy or from the immigration authorities.

Visa requirements for non-EU citizens

If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for a visa to enter Austria. The type of visa you will need depends on the purpose and duration of your visit.

Short-Stay Visas

For visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, non-EU citizens may need a short-stay visa, also known as a Schengen visa. This depends on their citizenship. The following types of short-stay visas are available:

• Austrian Airport Visa: For transiting through an Austrian airport to reach a destination outside the Schengen Area.
• Austrian Tourist Visa: For holidays or sightseeing in Austria.
• Austrian Visitor Visa: For visiting friends or family members in Austria.
• Austrian Business Visa: For business-related activities in Austria.
• Austrian Visa for Official Visit: For official delegations attending events in Austria.
• Austrian Medical Visa: For seeking medical treatment in Austria.
• Austrian Study Visa: For attending a course for up to three months at an educational institution in Austria.
• Austrian Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews: For participating in or organizing cultural, sports, or film events in Austria.

Long-Stay Visas

For stays exceeding 90 days, non-EU citizens need to obtain a long-stay visa (D visa) and a residence permit. The D visa allows entry into Austria, after which individuals can apply for the desired type of residence permit. The long-stay visa is typically issued for purposes such as work, study, or family reunification.

#### Work Visa

To work in Austria, non-EU citizens need to apply for a work permit and a D visa. Austria issues the Red-White-Red Card work permit to highly skilled non-EU nationals. This permit is valid for up to two years and requires meeting specific eligibility criteria. The application for this visa can be submitted by the individual or their prospective employer.

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

#### Student Visa

Non-EU citizens intending to study in Austria need to obtain a student visa, specifically the Visa D, which is a long-term visa that can be converted into a student residence permit. To initiate the application process, individuals must first enrol in an Austrian university and receive an acceptance letter. The visa application is then submitted at the local Austrian embassy or consulate in their home country.

#### Family Reunification Visa

Third-country nationals legally residing in Austria can apply for a family reunification visa to bring their family members to join them. This visa is valid for one year and can be renewed based on the residency type. It also permits the visa holder to work in Austria. Eligible family members include minor children under 18, partners in long-term relationships, and other relatives under specific circumstances.

Residence Permit

Non-EU citizens planning to stay in Austria for more than six months must obtain a residence permit. This permit is granted by the Austrian authorities based on specific criteria, including adequate means of subsistence, valid health insurance coverage, and suitable accommodation.

Visa Application Process

The Austrian visa application process typically involves providing biometric data, such as fingerprints, and submitting the required documentation to an Austrian embassy or consulate. The visa fees and specific requirements may vary depending on the type of visa being applied for. It is recommended to consult the official Austrian government sources and immigration services for detailed and up-to-date information.

Residence permits

There are several types of residence permits in Austria. The right one for you will depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay.

Short-term residence permits allow you to stay in Austria for up to six months. They do not automatically include work authorisation.

Temporary residence permits are for those planning to stay longer than six months or for a specific purpose, such as study or research.

Permanent residence permits are for people who plan to stay in Austria for an indefinite period and for those who want to work. This includes people with employment contracts as well as those hoping to bring their family over through the family visa.

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you will need a residence permit to stay in Austria for longer than six months. You can obtain this before settling at an Austrian embassy or from immigration authorities.

Red-White-Red Card

The Red-White-Red Card serves as both a residence permit and work authorisation. It is usually obtained on the basis of employment. It is typically valid for 24 months and is renewable. With it, you can travel freely throughout the Schengen area.

The following people can apply for this permit:

• Very highly skilled workers
• Self-employed key workers
• Skilled workers in occupations experiencing a staff shortage
• Graduates of Austrian universities and higher education colleges
• Regular workers in tourism, agriculture and forestry

Red-White-Red Card Plus

Third-party nationals who wish to bring their families to Austria will need to apply for a family visa, also called a Red-White-Red Card Plus. This permit allows certain family members to stay in Austria as long as their sponsor has their own residence permit. The initial permit lasts for one year but can be renewed, and you can travel throughout the Schengen zone with it.

Blue Card

The Blue Card provides an Austrian residence permit with the right to work for two years. It is issued to citizens of non-EU countries. To obtain one, you must:

• Have a university degree recognised in Austria
• Conclude an agreement with a local employer
• Have a salary of at least €66,593 per year before taxes

Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons

Austria provides an opportunity to obtain a residence permit for people who can confirm their financial independence. The conditions are:

• An income of €2,000 per month for each family member
• A bank account with a deposit of €20,000 for an adult and €10,000 for each child
• A certificate of no criminal record and a diploma of higher education
• Elementary-level German (when extending the status, knowledge of the language will have to be improved)

Student Residence Permit

Full-time students of Austrian universities are entitled to a student residence permit. Applicants must know basic German and present a document confirming their admission to the university. One of the advantages of a student residence permit in Austria is the ability to work 20 hours a week.

Work visas

Austria issues a work permit, known as the Red-White-Red Card, to highly skilled non-EU nationals wishing to move there 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 for it.

Before applying for a work permit in Austria, you must secure a job; otherwise, you will not be allowed to apply for the Red-White-Red Card. The application for this type of visa can be completed by either the applicant or their employer. The Red-White-Red Card costs 120 EUR to apply for, with an additional 20 EUR fee for granting and personalisation of the card.

The eligibility criteria for the Red-White-Red Card are divided into the following categories:

• Special qualifications and skills
• Work experience
• Language skills
• Age
• Studies in Austria

The application process for the Red-White-Red Card requires the following documents:

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
• Photo (dimensions: 45x35mm) which is not older than six months
• Proof of locally customary accommodation (e.g. lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence)
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)
• Proof of adequate means of subsistence (payslips, pay certificates, employment contracts, insurance benefit certificates, etc.)

In addition to the above documents, applicants must also submit proof of their qualifications, work experience, and language skills as per the eligibility criteria.

For those who do not yet have a job offer, there is the option to apply for a Job-Seeker Visa, which allows individuals to come to Austria to look for work for six months. The requirements for this visa are the same as those for the Red-White-Red Card, and applicants must achieve a minimum of 70 points based on the eligibility criteria. The Job-Seeker Visa costs 150 EUR.

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 allows the holder to bring their family members to Austria and provides equal work rights to Austrian citizens, free movement within the EU, and social rights such as unemployment benefits. The application fee for the EU Blue Card is 120 EUR, with an additional 20 EUR fee for granting and personalisation.

Student visas

If you are a non-EU 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. In this case, you need to get a Visa D, which is a long-term visa that can be switched to a student residence permit.

To get started, you must first be enrolled in an Austrian university. Once you receive your acceptance letter, you can apply for a student visa at the local embassy or consulate in your home country. After obtaining your student visa, you can move to Austria and register at the registration office. Since you will have a D student visa, you can immediately apply for a student residence permit.

To be admitted to an Austrian university as a foreign citizen, you must meet certain requirements. Firstly, there must be an available place for you at the university for your desired course of study. Secondly, you must have completed secondary education with qualifications that are equivalent to an Austrian Matura examination certification. This could include an A-level or high school diploma, which may need to be assessed by the vice-chancellor of the university. Additionally, you must have sufficient German language knowledge, and an examination may be required to assess your proficiency.

It is important to note that there may be admission restrictions for certain courses of study, such as other medical courses, bachelor's studies, and specific programmes in journalism and communication studies. The vice-chancellor of the respective university decides on the admission procedure, which can include an entrance examination.

As a student visa holder in Austria, you will have the advantage of being allowed to work up to 20 hours a week. However, if you are a citizen of a third country, you will need an employment permit, even for marginal employment. Companies will need to apply for this permit on your behalf at the Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice - AMS).

After successfully completing your studies in Austria, you can switch from the residence permit for students to the Red-White-Red Card. This card will allow you to stay and work in Austria, and you can file for a one-time renewal of your residence permit for up to twelve months to continue your job search or start a business.

Family reunification

If you are a third-country national residing in Austria and want to bring your family members to join you, you 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 the age of 18).
• Spouses or registered partners in a long-term relationship (over 21 years of age).
• Other relatives under specific circumstances.

It is important to note that you must have Austrian citizenship or a residence permit for your family members to be eligible for the family reunification visa. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed depending on the residency type, and it allows visa holders to work in Austria.

Types of Residence Permits for Family Members

The type of residence permit granted to family members depends on several factors, including the relationship to the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, the type of residence permit held by the skilled employee in the family, and how long they have been in Austria. Here are the different types of residence permits that may be relevant:

• Residence Permit – Family Member: This permit is relevant if you are a third-country national married to or in a civil partnership with an Austrian citizen. It provides unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market, allowing you to work as an employee and/or self-employed person.
• Settlement Permit – Dependant: If you are in a relationship with an Austrian but are neither married nor in a civil partnership, this permit could be suitable. It is also applicable when there is a close connection to the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, and children under the age of 21 can receive a residence permit as dependants.
• Red-White-Red – Card Plus: If the skilled worker in your family has a Red-White-Red Card, an EU Blue Card, a Settlement Permit – Researcher, or a Long-Term Resident EU permit, family members can apply for this permit.
• Settlement Permit: Family members can apply for this permit if the skilled worker has a Settlement Permit as a self-employed individual, a Settlement Permit – Artist, a Settlement Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment, or a Settlement Permit – Relative. However, a quota place must be available.
• Residence Permit – Family Reunification: This permit is applicable when the skilled worker in the family has a Residence Permit – Researcher Mobility, Residence Permit – ICT, Residence Permit – Mobile ICT, Residence Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment, or a Residence Permit – Student.
• Settlement Permit – Gainful Employment Excepted: For other relatives of third-country nationals, this permit is offered, but a quota place must be available.

The validity of residence permits can vary from one year to five years, depending on various factors. It is important to note that each family member, including children, needs a separate residence permit.

Frequently asked questions