Austria

Requirements

• At least 70 of 100 points (qualification, experience, salary, language, age, publications/patents)
• Job offer with employer's declaration (Arbeitgebererklaerung) for the RWR Card
• For the Jobseeker Visa: proof of accommodation and subsistence funds
• Valid passport, all-risk health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport and photo 45x35 mm required
• Degree certificates and transcripts required
• Employment certificates and points evidence (publications, patents, salary records, age proof) required
• Language diplomas
• Accommodation and subsistence proof (for Jobseeker Visa)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Optional Jobseeker Visa

   Enter on the 6-month Jobseeker Visa to find a matching job.

2. 2

   Sign employment

   Conclude employment with the employer's declaration.

3. 3

   Lodge RWR application

   File at embassy or have employer file with the residence authority.

4. 4

   AMS points check

   AMS verifies at least 70/100 points.

5. 5

   Collect card

   Convert before the Jobseeker Visa expires; collect the RWR Card.

Official Sources

• Official Very Highly Qualified Workers - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• At least 55 of 90 points
• Vocational training/diploma matching a listed shortage occupation
• Job offer with adequate pay
• Occupation must be on the current year's shortage-occupation regulation

Required Documents

• Vocational training certificate/diploma required
• Work-experience testimonials required
• Language certificate not older than 5 years
• Criminal-record extract
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm listed occupation

   Verify the occupation is on the current shortage-occupation list.

2. 2

   File application

   File at embassy or via employer with the residence authority.

3. 3

   AMS examination

   AMS verifies at least 55/90 points and job/pay adequacy.

4. 4

   Card issued

   Card issued (24 months); obtain Visa D if required.

Official Sources

• Official Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• At least 55 of 90 points
• Employer's declaration showing gross pay at least EUR 3,465/month (2026)
• AMS labour-market test (no equally qualified registered jobseeker)
• Bonus +20 points for professional athletes/coaches

Required Documents

• Qualification and experience evidence required
• Employer's declaration showing gross pay at least EUR 3,465/month required
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure job offer

   Obtain a qualifying job offer meeting the salary threshold.

2. 2

   File application

   File at embassy or via employer with the residence authority.

3. 3

   AMS labour-market test

   AMS runs the labour-market test and verifies at least 55/90 points.

4. 4

   Card issued

   Collect the card; obtain Visa D if required.

Official Sources

• Official Other Key Workers - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Completed Austrian degree
• Job offer at customary graduate salary
• Valid passport, health insurance

Required Documents

• Proof of completed Austrian degree required
• Graduate-level job offer with customary salary required
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Extend for job search

   On graduating, extend the student permit by 12 months to job-search before it lapses.

2. 2

   Secure graduate job

   Find a qualifying graduate-level job.

3. 3

   Switch in-country

   Switch to the RWR Card at the residence authority (MA 35 in Vienna).

Official Sources

• Official Graduates - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• At least 7 months registered seasonal work in last 2 years in the same sector
• German A1 certificate
• Binding permanent job offer

Required Documents

• Proof of at least 7 months registered seasonal work in last 2 years required
• German A1 certificate required
• Binding permanent job offer required
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Document seasonal work

   Gather proof of qualifying seasonal employment.

2. 2

   File application

   File at embassy or via employer.

3. 3

   AMS examination

   AMS examines the application.

4. 4

   Card issued

   Collect the card.

Official Sources

• Official Regular Workers in Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Holding/held qualifying RWR Card or being a family member of a qualifying sponsor
• Secure subsistence (pay slips/contract/pension)
• Locally customary accommodation
• Family members: German A1 and proof the sponsor holds the qualifying title

Required Documents

• Subsistence proof (pay slips/contract/pension) required
• Accommodation proof required
• Family: German A1 and proof sponsor holds qualifying title
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Determine filing location

   First-timers file abroad; existing residents file with the Provincial Governor / District Authority.

2. 2

   Submit application

   Lodge with required documents.

3. 3

   Renewal timing

   Renew before expiry but no earlier than 3 months before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official Red-White-Red Card plus - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Work contract with employer's return-capability declaration
• At least 9 months prior group employment (6 for trainees)
• Company-register extract showing genuine activity
• Managers: contract showing managerial function; trainees: training agreement plus degree
• Mobile ICT: activity over 90 days transferring from another member state

Required Documents

• Work contract with return-capability declaration required
• Proof of at least 9 months prior group employment (6 for trainees) required
• Company-register extract showing genuine activity required
• Trainees: training agreement plus degree
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   File application

   Apply at the embassy or have the Austrian branch file with the Provincial Governor.

2. 2

   AMS expertise

   AMS reviews labour-market requirements.

3. 3

   Permit issued

   Permit issued (up to 3 years; 1 year for trainees).

Official Sources

• Official ICT - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Completed tertiary education of at least 3 years (or 3 years comparable experience in last 7 years for ICT/managers)
• Binding job offer / employment contract of at least 6 months matching qualifications
• Gross salary at least EUR 55,678/year (2026)
• Employer's declaration; for regulated professions, proof of right to practise
• Valid passport, all-risk health insurance, secure subsistence

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Recent photo 45x35 mm, not older than 6 months required
• Tertiary degree certificate (at least 3 years) with certified translation required
• Employer's declaration and employment contract showing qualifying salary required
• Proof of right to practise for regulated professions
• Criminal-record extract (recommended no older than 3 months)
• All-risk health insurance proof required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure qualifying job

   Sign an employment contract of at least 6 months matching your qualifications and meeting the salary threshold.

2. 2

   Lodge application

   Apply in person at the Austrian embassy/consulate abroad, or have the employer file with the residence authority in Austria.

3. 3

   AMS examination

   The Public Employment Service (AMS) examines qualification and salary criteria.

4. 4

   Enter and collect

   Visa-required nationals obtain a Visa D, enter Austria, collect the card and register residence (Meldezettel) within 3 days of moving in.

Official Sources

• Official EU Blue Card - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority (migration.gv.at)
• Official EU Blue Card Austria - European Commission · European Commission

Requirements

• University admission/Zulassung confirmation
• School-leaving certificate plus last-year transcript
• Proof of subsistence (ASVG-linked: roughly EUR 739/month under 24, EUR 1,334/month if 24+, verify current rate)
• Student health insurance
• Proof of tuition payment where applicable

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• University admission/Zulassung confirmation required
• School-leaving certificate plus last-year transcript required
• Photo (second photo) required
• Proof of subsistence (ASVG-linked monthly rate) required
• Student health insurance required
• Proof of tuition payment if applicable

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Get admission

   Obtain university admission/Zulassung.

2. 2

   Lodge permit abroad

   File the Student permit at the Austrian consulate abroad.

3. 3

   Enter and register

   Enter Austria and register residence.

4. 4

   Renew yearly

   Renew annually with proof of study progress.

Official Sources

• Official Temporary Residence - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority
• Official Study in Austria - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Proof of enrolment at a recognised school
• Guardianship/consent where the applicant is a minor
• Subsistence and health insurance

Required Documents

• Proof of enrolment at a recognised school required
• Guardianship/consent (for minors)
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Enrol

   Obtain enrolment at a recognised school.

2. 2

   File permit

   File the permit at the consulate abroad.

3. 3

   Enter and register

   Enter Austria and register residence.

Official Sources

• Official Temporary Residence (Pupils) - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Business plan
• Investment-capital transfer to Austria of at least EUR 100,000, or job creation / know-how transfer
• Relevant qualifications and company/trade authorisations
• Criminal-record extract

Required Documents

• Business plan required
• Evidence of investment-capital transfer of at least EUR 100,000 / job creation / know-how transfer required
• Qualifications and company/trade authorisations required
• Criminal-record extract
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Lodge application

   Lodge at the embassy with business plan and investment evidence.

2. 2

   AMS expertise

   AMS issues its macroeconomic-benefit expertise within 3 weeks.

3. 3

   Card and entry

   Card issued (24 months); obtain Visa D to collect.

4. 4

   Convert

   After 2 years convert to a 3-year settlement permit.

Official Sources

• Official Self-employed Key Workers - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• At least 50 of 85 points (bonus for +EUR 50,000 investment, incubator admission, age under 35)
• Innovative business plan
• Proof of capital at least EUR 30,000 with at least 50% equity
• Qualifications/experience and company articles
• Criminal-record extract

Required Documents

• Innovative business plan required
• Proof of capital at least EUR 30,000 with at least 50% equity required
• Qualifications/experience and company articles required
• Language certificate not older than 5 years
• Criminal-record extract

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Lodge abroad

   Lodge the application abroad with business plan and capital proof.

2. 2

   AMS assessment

   AMS assesses points (at least 50/85).

3. 3

   Card issued

   Card issued for 24 months.

4. 4

   Convert

   Convert to RWR Card plus after 2 years.

Official Sources

• Official Start-up Founders - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Proof of substantial fixed income (pension/passive income, well above ASVG rates)
• No-work declaration
• Accommodation and all-risk health insurance
• Subject to annual quota (often lodged in early January when the quota opens)

Required Documents

• Proof of substantial fixed income well above ASVG rates required
• No-work declaration required
• Accommodation and health insurance proof required
• Valid passport and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm quota availability

   Confirm with the consulate; applications often lodged in the first weeks of January.

2. 2

   Lodge application

   Lodge with income and accommodation evidence.

3. 3

   Decision

   Decision within the 6-month ceiling, subject to quota.

Official Sources

• Official Other Forms of Settlement (Gainful Employment Excepted) - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Family relationship to a qualifying sponsor
• Income evidence (EUR 1,308.39 single / EUR 2,064.12 couple + EUR 201.88/child, 2026)
• Accommodation and all-risk health insurance
• Sponsor's residence-title proof
• German A1 certificate not older than 1 year (with exemptions)

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Children's birth certificate required
• Marriage/partnership/divorce certificate required
• Accommodation proof required
• All-risk health insurance required
• Income evidence per 2026 rates required
• Sponsor's residence-title proof required
• German A1 certificate not older than 1 year (with exemptions) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   File abroad

   File at the Austrian consulate abroad.

2. 2

   Completeness check

   Consulate checks completeness.

3. 3

   Forward to authority

   Forwarded to the Provincial Governor / District Authority.

4. 4

   Decision

   Decision issued; appeal to the Provincial Administrative Court if refused.

Official Sources

• Official Family Reunification - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority
• Official Residence (Family) - oesterreich.gv.at · oesterreich.gv.at (Federal Government portal)

Requirements

• Hosting/admission agreement with a certified research facility
• Valid passport, health insurance, subsistence
• Accommodation (exempt for Researcher-Mobility)

Required Documents

• Hosting/admission agreement with a certified research facility required
• Valid passport and photo required
• Health insurance and subsistence proof required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Obtain hosting agreement

   The research facility issues a hosting agreement.

2. 2

   Lodge application

   Lodge the application.

3. 3

   Permit issued

   Permit issued for 2 years, renewable once for 1 year.

4. 4

   Convert

   Convert to RWR Card plus after 2 years.

Official Sources

• Official Other Forms of Settlement (Researcher) - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• Descent from an Austrian citizen parent under the rules in force at birth
• Documentary chain linking applicant to the Austrian parent

Required Documents

• Applicant's birth certificate required
• Austrian parent's birth/citizenship certificate required
• Parents' marriage certificate

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Gather documents

   Assemble the birth/marriage/citizenship documentary chain.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at the provincial citizenship office or, from abroad, via the Austrian embassy/consulate (BMEIA).

3. 3

   Receive certificate

   Receive the Certificate of Citizenship.

Official Sources

• Official Citizenship by descent - oesterreich.gv.at · oesterreich.gv.at (Federal Government portal)

Requirements

• Evidence of the persecuted ancestor's status (Austrian/Austro-Hungarian successor nationality, or statelessness with Austrian main residence before 15 May 1955) and flight from NSDAP/Reich persecution
• Documents linking the applicant as a direct descendant
• No residence in Austria required; no renunciation of existing citizenship

Required Documents

• Evidence of the persecuted ancestor's status and flight from persecution required
• Birth/marriage chain proving direct descent required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Complete questionnaire

   Complete the online questionnaire (German/English/Spanish/Hebrew).

2. 2

   Contact representation

   Contact the Austrian embassy/consulate (BMEIA) for an appointment.

3. 3

   Submit declaration

   Submit the declaration plus evidence.

4. 4

   Consular processing

   Consular processing completes acquisition.

Official Sources

• Official Citizenship for persecuted persons and their direct descendants - BMEIA London · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA)
• Official Declaration pursuant to section 58c StbG - BMEIA Washington · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA)

Requirements

• 5 years continuous lawful residence
• Integration Agreement Module 2 (German B1) certificate
• Stable income, health insurance, accommodation

Required Documents

• Proof of 5 years continuous lawful residence required
• Integration Agreement Module 2 (German B1) certificate required
• Stable income evidence required
• Health insurance and accommodation proof required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Complete Integration Module 2

   Complete the German B1 Integration Agreement Module 2.

2. 2

   File with authority

   File with the residence authority (MA 35 / Provincial Governor).

3. 3

   Decision

   Decision issued; status grants unrestricted labour-market access.

Official Sources

• Official Other Forms of Settlement (Long-term Resident-EU) - migration.gv.at · Austrian Migration Authority

Requirements

• 10 years lawful residence (or 6 with B2/sustained integration)
• 36 months of stable own income within the last 6 years (including last 6 months)
• German certificate (B1, or B2 for reduced route)
• Pass the citizenship test (democratic system + Austrian + provincial history)
• Criminal-record extracts (Austria and abroad)
• Renunciation of prior nationality (with exceptions)

Required Documents

• Passport plus all residence titles required
• Birth certificate required
• Marriage/divorce certificates
• Proof of 36 months stable own income within last 6 years (incl. last 6 months) required
• German certificate (B1, or B2 for reduced route) required
• Citizenship-test pass required
• Criminal-record extracts (Austria and abroad) required
• Evidence supporting renunciation of prior nationality required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility

   Confirm 10 years (or 6 with B2/sustained integration).

2. 2

   Book appointment

   Book an appointment at the provincial citizenship office (Amt der Landesregierung).

3. 3

   Submit

   Submit application, documents and test results.

4. 4

   Assurance and conferral

   Await Zusicherung (assurance), renounce prior citizenship, then final conferral.

Official Sources

• Official Citizenship - oesterreich.gv.at · oesterreich.gv.at (Federal Government portal)
• Official Citizenship Act (StbG) full text - RIS · Federal Legal Information System (RIS)

Requirements

• At least 5 years marriage/partnership in a joint household
• At least 6 years continuous lawful residence
• Stable income, German, citizenship test, clean record (as section 10)
• Renunciation of prior nationality (with exceptions)

Required Documents

• Marriage certificate required
• Proof of at least 5 years marriage in a joint household required
• Documents as for residence-based naturalisation (passport, income, German, test, records) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility

   Confirm marriage and residence periods.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at the provincial citizenship office with marriage and standard documents.

3. 3

   Assurance and conferral

   Await assurance, renounce prior citizenship, then conferral.

Official Sources

• Official Citizenship Act (StbG) section 11a - RIS · Federal Legal Information System (RIS)

Requirements

• Make the application to any police officer / station / border post or upon apprehension
• Referral to a BFA initial-reception centre
• Fingerprints and photo taken; personal interview(s)

Required Documents

• Any identity/travel documents held (none required to lodge)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Lodge application

   Apply to any police officer/station or border post, or upon apprehension.

2. 2

   Admissibility stage

   Dublin / safe-third-country check.

3. 3

   Substantive examination

   Refugee-status examination; subsidiary protection assessed automatically if asylum refused.

4. 4

   Appeal

   Appeal a BFA decision to the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG); unaccompanied minors have 4 weeks.

Official Sources

• Official Asylum in Austria - oesterreich.gv.at · oesterreich.gv.at (Federal Government portal)
• Official Asylum Procedure in Austria (BFA brochure) · Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA)