Imiatlas

🇦🇹 Austria

Austria Work Visa: requirements and how to apply

Points-based combined work and residence permit tied to a specific employer.

Official Austria work visa page

Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)

Points-based combined work and residence permit tied to a specific employer.

Typical duration
2 years (leads to RWR Card Plus)
Path to permanent residency
Converts to Red-White-Red Card Plus (open labor market access) after 21 months

Main requirements

  • Points threshold met
  • Binding employment offer
  • Austrian health insurance

Official page

Documents usually needed for Austria

  • Binding job offer in Austria meeting statutory minimum salary floor
  • Minimum qualifying points score on the Red-White-Red criteria calculator (qualification, work experience, language skills, age)
  • Official proof of German (A1/A2/B1) or English language certification
  • Adequate accommodation in Austria and statutory social health insurance
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and a compliant photo (make yours here)

Application steps

  1. 1

    Points Calculator & Document Verification

    Reach minimum 70 points (for Highly Qualified) or 55 points (for Shortage Occupations) on official Austrian criteria grid.

    1 - 2 weeks

  2. 2

    AMS Labor Market Review & Embassy Filing

    Application is assessed by the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) for criteria fulfillment.

    6 - 8 weeks

  3. 3

    Red-White-Red Card Collection

    Pick up the plastic residence permit card at the Austrian representation or local Magistrat/Bezirkshauptmannschaft.

    1 - 2 weeks post-approval

More about moving to Austria

Find a licensed adviser

For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.

Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in Austria. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.

Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) & ABA (Austrian Business Agency)

General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) & ABA (Austrian Business Agency) on the official website before applying.