The following residence titles are foreseen for highly-qualified workers:
Red-White-Red – Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte)
Very highly-qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, other key-workers who achieve a minimum amount of points or Graduates of universities and colleges of higher education in Austria, Self-employed Key Workers, Start-up Founders.
Third-country nationals who have completed studies lasting more than three years at institutions of tertiary education and who earn a gross annual income of at least one and a half times the average gross annual income of full-time employees have access to the EU Blue Card in Austria.
To obtain one of these titles, you must meet the specific conditions of the title and prove that you meet the general conditions for residence titles in Austria, in particular:
- adequate accommodation corresponding to Austrian standards (not necessary for EU Blue Card);
- full medical insurance;
- adequate means of subsistence.
The Austrian system of employment and residence of highly-qualified workers according to the residence title Red-White-Red – Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte) is governed by a points system based on personal criteria, such as academic qualification, professional experience, language skills and age.
In addition to this, you must find a job that meets the requirements of the residence title.
If you are a highly-qualified worker at the top level, you can obtain a job-seeker visa to enter Austria and seek employment.
Where and how to apply | You must, in general, apply for your residence title and visa in your home country before entering Austria. You should submit your application to the competent representation authority in your country and wait for the decision. Applications for a Red-White-Red – Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte) or an EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) may also be filed by the potential employer with the competent residence authority in Austria. |
Documents required | Your documents must prove that you meet the specific and general conditions for the residence title. Your necessary professional qualifications must also be recognised by the competent Austrian authority. |
Duration of validity of permits | The residence title EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) and the residence title Red-White-Red – Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte) are valid for a maximum of two years. |
Further requirements | N/A |
Appeals | Applications submitted from outside Austria can be refused by the competent Austrian representation authority abroad for formal reasons. Appeals against decisions of the regional administrative authority or magistrate can be filed at the Provincial Administrative Court. Decisions of the regional Public Employment Service can be appealed before the Federal Administrative Court. |
Further information | More on working in Austria |
Change of employment | Depending on the specific residence title, you can change employment during your stay in Austria. For example, the residence title Red-White-Red – Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte) does not allow for a change of employment. The residence title Red-White-Red – Card plus (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus) allows for a change of employment. |
Long-term residence | To obtain a long-term residence title you must prove settlement in Austria for the past five years and must fulfil of Module 2 of the Integration Agreement. |
No information available at the moment.