Moving To Austria: A Guide For Filipinos

If you're considering migrating from the Philippines to Austria, there are several pathways you can take. Austria has a points-based immigration system called the Red-White-Red Card for qualified workers from non-EU countries, allowing them and their families to permanently immigrate. You can also apply for a Job Seeker Visa, which allows you to stay in Austria for six months to look for work. For students, you can apply for a Residence Permit - Student by submitting the required documents to the embassy. Additionally, if you've legally lived in Austria for five years, you can apply for a long-term EU resident permit, valid for about ten years.

Applying for a 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 issued for a period of 24 months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in the application.

To apply for a Red-White-Red Card, you must fulfil the following criteria:

• You must be a qualified worker and a citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU).
• You must have a concrete employment offer that matches your qualifications and offers adequate pay.
• You must have a fixed and regular personal income that enables you to cover your living costs without welfare aid.
• You must have health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks.
• You must provide evidence of a legal title to locally customary accommodation, such as a lease contract.
• Your stay must not be contrary to public order, public security, or Austria's relations with other countries.

The application process for a Red-White-Red Card can be done personally at the competent Austrian representation authority (embassy or consulate) in your home country or country of residence. You can also apply with the competent residence authority in Austria after legal entry and during your legal stay. The application process typically takes up to six months.

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport) and a recent photo.
• Proof of locally customary accommodation (e.g. lease contracts, tenancy agreements, or ownership evidence).
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks.
• Proof of funds: Bank statements, credit card statements, or bank certification showing regular income.
• Previous Schengen visa copy to demonstrate travel history.
• Proof of ties to your home country, such as employment certificates, property ownership, or family ties documents.
• Proof of occupation: Work and leave certificates, income tax returns, business registration, tax returns, or financial statements, depending on your employment status.
• If travelling with family, provide a marriage contract and children's birth certificates.
• If travelling with minors, consent from the non-travelling parent and a copy of their passport bio page may be required.

Getting a student visa

Filipinos need a visa to enter and stay in Austria as a student. The type of visa depends on the duration of your studies. A visa "C" is for a stay of up to 90 days, while a visa "D" is for 91 to 180 days. For longer stays, you will need to apply for a residence permit.

To obtain a student visa for Austria, you must first apply for a residence permit. This involves the following steps:

• Submit your application in person at the Austrian Embassy in Manila. You will need to provide a completed application form, a valid passport, a passport photo, proof of visa fee payment, and travel health insurance. The application fee for a residence permit is 120 euros for individuals aged 6 and older.
• Provide the required documents, including proof of enrolment at an Austrian educational institution. All documents must be legalised, and any documents in a language other than German or English must be submitted with certified translations.
• Show proof of sufficient financial means and accommodation. This can be done through a confirmation of maintenance payments, a preliminary rental contract, or a reservation of a room in a student hall of residence.
• Await the decision on your application in your home country. This process can take up to six months, so it is recommended to apply at least three months before your intended entry to Austria.

Once your residence permit application is approved, you can then apply for a Visa D at the Austrian Embassy in Manila. With your Visa D, you will be able to travel to Austria and finalise your residence permit.

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures may change, so it is always best to refer to the official websites and embassies for the most up-to-date and accurate information. Additionally, as a student in Austria, you will need to have health insurance. The Austrian National Student Union can provide counselling and information on health insurance, as well as other topics such as funding and work.

Job-seeker visa requirements

To migrate to Austria from the Philippines as a job seeker, you will need to apply for a Job Seeker Visa, which is a category D visa. This visa allows very highly qualified persons who do not yet have a job offer to come to Austria for six months to look for work. To be eligible, you must reach a minimum of 70 points based on the Austrian points system, which takes into account age, qualification, relevant work experience, English language skills, and studies in Austria.

Points System:

• To reach the minimum of 70 points, you will need to provide documents proving your qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age.
• For language skills, you will need to provide a language diploma or language course certificate at the A1 or A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. German language diplomas and certificates can be obtained from institutions such as ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, Telc GmbH, or the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). For English language proficiency, recognized diplomas and certificates include the Cambridge Certificate, TELC, IELTS, TOEIC, and TOEFL.
• For qualifications, a university diploma or certificate from a research institution proving work in R&D or academic scientific teaching is required.
• If you have a spouse or civil partner, they can accompany you to Austria with a Red-White-Red Card Plus.

Application Process:

• You must apply for the Job Seeker Visa in person at the competent Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in your home country or country of residence.
• Along with the regular visa application documents, you will need to submit proof that you meet the minimum point requirement.
• These documents will be sent for review to the Austrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice - AMS), which will assess your qualifications and confirm to the Austrian representative authority that you meet the requirements.
• The processing time for the application can take up to six months, and you should submit your application within six months and not later than 15 calendar days before your intended departure.
• The Job Seeker Visa will allow you to enter Austria and look for work for six months. During this time, you cannot pursue gainful employment.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have valid travel documents, such as a passport with a photo that is no older than six months.
• You must provide proof of locally customary accommodation, such as lease contracts or preliminary agreements on tenancy rights.
• You need to have health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks.
• You may also need to provide proof of funds, such as bank statements or credit card statements showing regular income.
• If applicable, you will need to provide a previous Schengen visa copy, proof of ties to your home country, and proof of occupation or student status.

Health insurance and accommodation

Health Insurance

To migrate to Austria from the Philippines, you must 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 coverage is sufficient.

There is an annual charge of €13.80 for the E-card (social insurance card), although exceptions may apply. If you are unable to work due to illness, your employer will typically continue to pay your wages/salary for up to 12 weeks. After this period, a sickness benefit will be paid by the health insurance fund until you are certified fit to return to work. Please note that sickness benefit payments may not match your regular wage/salary.

Accommodation

When applying for a visa or residence permit, you must provide proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in Austria. This can be in the form of a hotel reservation or a rental agreement, such as a lease contract. If you are applying for a family visa, your accommodation must be considered adequate for your family size.

Additionally, you will need to provide a detailed travel itinerary, including your flight departure program, arrival date, and flight number. It is also worth noting that Austria offers various discount cards that can provide benefits during your stay, such as reduced admission fees for museums and attractions, as well as discounts on public transportation.

Long-term EU resident permits

To obtain a Long-Term Resident EU permit, you must have lived in Austria uninterruptedly for five years. During these five years, you must have had one of the following residence permits:

• Red-White-Red – Card Plus (“Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte Plus”)
• Settlement Permit (“Niederlassungsbewilligung´”)
• Residence Permit – Family Member (“Aufenthaltstitel Familienangehöriger”)
• Settlement Permit – Artist (“Niederlassungsbewilligung – Künstler”)
• Settlement Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment (“Niederlassungsbewilligung – Sonderfälle unselbstständiger Erwerbstätigkeit”)
• Settlement Permit – Gainful Employment Excepted (“Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit”)
• Settlement Permit – Relative (“Niederlassungsbewilligung – Angehöriger”)
• Red-White-Red – Card (“Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte”)
• EU Blue Card
• Residence Permit – Researcher
• Residence Permit – Student

Special regulations exist for those who have lived in Austria for two uninterrupted years on the basis of an EU Blue Card, or who have previously held an EU Blue Card or Residence Permit as a researcher or student in another EU member state. Corresponding periods of residence in another EU member state are considered when calculating the five-year requirement.

To apply for the Long-Term Resident EU permit, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of accommodation in Austria (residence registration, rental agreement, rental payments, etc.)
• Trade license, salary, and income tax assessment (if self-employed)
• B1 Integration Exam Certificate by ÖIF (only required for the first application, not for any extensions)
• Proof of German language skills at A1 level
• Proof of health insurance coverage

Frequently asked questions