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Work / Employment in Austria

7 documented routes of this kind in Austria, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.

Red-White-Red Card - Very Highly Qualified Workers (with Jobseeker Visa option)

Points-based RWR Card for very highly qualified third-country nationals; eligible candidates may first enter on a 6-month Jobseeker Visa to find a matching job.

Processing time
Jobseeker Visa decided by embassy; RWR decision after AMS points check, within 6-month ceiling
Validity
RWR Card up to 24 months; Jobseeker Visa 6 months
Language requirement
Language diplomas (A1/A2+) score points; no hard requirement
Permanent residence
Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
Citizenship
Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)

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

  • Jobseeker Visa 195 EUR
  • RWR Card application fee 218 EUR

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

Red-White-Red Card - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations

RWR Card for skilled workers with vocational training in occupations on the annually re-issued shortage-occupation list.

Processing time
Within 6-month ceiling; AMS checks points and adequacy of job/pay
Validity
24 months
Language requirement
Language certificate not older than 5 years scores points
Permanent residence
Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
Citizenship
Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)

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

  • Application fee 218 EUR

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

Red-White-Red Card - Other Key Workers

RWR Card for key workers whose job cannot be filled by an equally qualified registered jobseeker, with a minimum gross salary (EUR 3,465/month in 2026).

Processing time
Within 6-month ceiling; AMS labour-market test plus points check
Validity
24 months
Language requirement
Language scores points; no hard requirement
Permanent residence
Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
Citizenship
Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)

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

  • Application fee 218 EUR

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

Red-White-Red Card - Graduates of Austrian Universities

RWR Card for graduates of Austrian higher-education institutions with a qualifying graduate-level job; no labour-market test.

Processing time
Faster - no AMS labour-market test, only confirmation of graduate-level job/pay
Validity
24 months
Language requirement
None for issuance
Permanent residence
Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
Citizenship
Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)

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

  • Application fee 218 EUR

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

Red-White-Red Card - Regular Workers in Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry

RWR Card for workers with prior seasonal experience in tourism, agriculture or forestry transitioning to permanent employment.

Processing time
Within 6-month ceiling; AMS check
Validity
24 months
Language requirement
German A1 certificate required
Permanent residence
Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
Citizenship
Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)

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

  • Application fee 218 EUR

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

Red-White-Red Card plus

Follow-on title granting free access to the labour market, available to RWR Card holders after qualifying employment and to family members of qualifying sponsors.

Processing time
Within 6-month ceiling
Validity
1 year on first issuance. Extendable to 3 years if the holder has been lawfully settled in Austria for at least 2 years AND has fulfilled Module 1 of the Integration Agreement.
Language requirement
Family members require German A1
Permanent residence
Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
Citizenship
Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)

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

  • Application fee 218 EUR

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

ICT and Mobile ICT (Intra-Corporate Transfer)

Fixed-term residence titles for intra-corporate transferees (managers, specialists, trainees) seconded to an Austrian group entity.

Processing time
Within 6-month ceiling; AMS reviews labour-market requirements
Validity
Up to 3 years (1 year for trainees)
Language requirement
None

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

  • Application fee 218 EUR

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

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