Key Takeaways

  1. To live and work in Austria, you must obtain a job-binding offer from a registered company. 
  2. Foreigners without an employment offer can enter the country and search for jobs for up to six months, provided they’re highly skilled and can support themselves financially. 
  3. The Red-White-Card is Austria’s primary work permit, and it’s issued on a points-based system. 
  4. The type of visa you need depends on your duration and purpose of stay.

Austria is one of the hot spots for immigrants, and it’s not hard to see why. This country has a booming economy, ranking 5th in the European Union (EU) in terms of GDP per capita, and offers competitive salaries that attract skilled professionals from all over the world. 

What’s even better is their 14-month pay system. Unlike other countries, employees in Austria receive two additional salary payments in June and November. This creates opportunities for savings, and investments, especially if you’re looking to start your family there. Its robust healthcare system, low crime rate, and high level of education are additional perks that allow residents to live a comfortable life. 

To live and work in this country, you need a work permit and a visa. In this article, we’ve compiled all the vital information you need to know about obtaining an Austrian work visa. Let’s get started! 

Austria’s Work Visa System Explained

All countries have unique prerequisites that must be met before issuing work permits to foreigners who wish to enter and work. The U.S., for example, employs a single-work visa system that enables immigrants to enter the country and work legally. 

In Austria, however, skilled workers need to be employed by a registered business before applying for a visa and entering the country to work. 

Austria Employment Authorization

Before you’re granted a work permit, your employer has to apply for an employment authorization from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). This process ensures that your skills are in demand in the country and will not disrupt the local labour market.  

Austria Work Permit

Once the employment authorization is approved, your employer (or you) can proceed to apply for a work/residence permit. There are two main types of permits:

Red-White-Red Card

This permit grants you free access to live and work in Austria for up to 24 months, or longer, depending on your job offer and the validity of your passport.  

Also, to qualify for this permit, your application will be evaluated based on a point-based system. This is calculated based on your: 

  • Educational qualifications
  • Age
  • Relevant work experience
  • German and/or English proficiency
  • Previous studies on employment in Austria

For example, if your role falls in the shortage occupations category, the minimum allowable points is 55. So, it’s important you calculate your score before applying for a permit. 

Who’s this for: The Red-White-Red permit is best for self-employed workers and skilled workers in the shortage occupations. 

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is ideal for highly skilled workers who hold higher professional qualifications from a recognised university. This permit allows you to work and live in Austria, as long as you earn at least €51,500 annually and have a binding job offer that matches your qualifications. 

Both permits offer the opportunity to renew or transition to the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which comes with more benefits and flexibility. 

To better understand what professionals earn, take a look at our guide on the average salary in Austria.

Austrian Work Visa

Once the permit is approved, you can proceed to apply for a work visa at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country or country of residence. You can also obtain the application form(s) from there. 

Since Austria is part of the Schengen Area, citizens of EU member states, European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland don’t need a visa to enter the country. Additionally, citizens of Australia, Bosnia, Serbia, and the USA are permitted entry without a visa. 

Types of Austria Work Visas and Permits

To enter Austria via the work route, you can apply for a Job seeker, short-stay, or national visa. Your final choice depends on your purpose of visit and duration of stay. 

Job Seeker Visa

The job seeker visa (also known as Visa D) is issued to highly qualified individuals who wish to enter Austria and seek employment. 

In this case, the applicant does not need to have a binding offer beforehand; it’s strictly for job searching. This visa is only valid for six months. If you don’t find a job within this period, you’ll be required to return to your home country. 

To qualify for this visa, the applicant must score at least 70 points under Austria’s point-based system. 

Other required documents

You also need to provide proof of subsistence, accommodation, and health insurance that covers all risks during your stay.  

Visa D (National Visa)

The national visa (or Visa D) is for non-EU/EEA citizens who want to stay in Austria for more than 90 days. It’s usually issued to foreigners who already hold a work or residence permit (such as the Red-White-Red Card).

Visa C (Business Visa)

The Visa C is a short-stay visa, perfect for foreigners who need to visit Austria for business or tourism purposes. This visa permits you to stay in the country for up to 90 days. 

Visa for Gainful Employment

If you’re a digital nomad, want to work for a company in Austria for a short period, or are applying for an internship, you can apply for a visa for gainful employment. 

To qualify for this visa, you have to meet the general visa requirements and submit any extra document that proves the purpose of your stay. 

Requirements for an Austria Work Permit

To apply for an Austrian work visa, you first need to affirm that you meet all the criteria and are eligible to receive one. As we mentioned above, you need a signed employment contract from a registered company in Austria. Also, the job must match your qualifications/experience and meet Austria’s minimum salary thresholds. 

Additionally, individuals who are currently unemployed but wish to enter the country to work can apply for the Job Seeker Visa. This visa is valid for 6 months and is only issued to highly qualified workers. 

Required Documents

The required documents for an Austrian visa depend on the consulate in your country and your purpose. Here are the documents needed for an Austrian work visa: 

  • Visa Application form: You’ll need to fill out the visa D application form. You can obtain this from the Austrian Representative Authority in your home country.  
  • EU Passport photographs: You need to provide a recent biometric photograph (45 x 35 mm) that’s not older than 6 months. Also, attach the invoice for the photo. 
  • Passport Copy: You’re also required to provide a photocopy of your passport. It should have at least two blank pages and must have been issued within the last 10 years. 
  • Letter from Austrian employer: Provide a signed employment contract or binding job offer from your Austrian employer. This document should contain your job title, salary, working hours, and duration of employment. 
  • Employer’s declaration: Except that your employer submitted this for you, you’ll also need a signed and completed employer declaration. 
  • Proof of your employer’s business registration: You’ll need to attach evidence of your employer’s business license or company registration certificate. 
  • Proof of accommodation: You’ll need to provide proof that you’ve secured a place to stay upon arriving in Austria.  
  • Schengen travel insurance: You must also submit proof of travel health insurance that covers a minimum of €30,000. 
  • Flight Reservation: You must submit a flight booking confirming your planned date of entry. Keep in mind that you can only purchase your ticket after your visa has been approved. A booking confirmation will suffice for your application.

Checklist For an Austria Work Permit Application

Finding the right information on how to obtain the Autrain work visa is a lot of work. Luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting and provided a step-by-step guide to help you get started: 

1

Get a Job Offer

Before you start the application process, you must obtain a binding job offer or employment contract from a registered Austrian company. The only exception is if you’re applying for the Job Seeker visa. 

2

Employee applies for Employment Authorization

Once you’ve gotten a job offer, your employer can apply for an employment authorization (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) on your behalf at the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). This will only be approved on the following grounds:

  • The labor market is stable, and the job cannot be filled by an Austrian or EU citizen.
  • The job does not conflict with public or microeconomic interests.
  • The federal quota for foreign applicants has not yet been maximised.
  • The condition of the labor market, that is, whether it requires hiring foreign talent or not. If there are limited opportunities, priority is given to highly qualified professionals or skilled workers in shortage occupations, such as train drivers and roofers.

You can check the full list of shortage occupations here. 

3

Employer/Employer Applies for a Work Permit

After the employment authorization is approved, the next step is to apply for a work permit. This application can be done in two ways:

  • By the employee: You can apply for the Red-White-Red card from the Austrian embassy or consulate of your home country or country of residence.  
  • By the employer: The future employer can also apply for the Red-White-Red card from the competent residence authority in Austria. This can either be from the Provincial Governor, the Regional Administrative Authority, or the Local Administrative Authority. 

However, in both cases, the application must include an employer’s declaration, which provides key details about the job and place of employment. You can submit this application yourself if you’re already in Austria legally.

4

Employee Applies For a Work Visa

Once the work permit and employment authorisation are approved, apply for a Visa D (valid for 91 days to 6 months) at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country. 

This visa is valid for a short period (91 days to six months) and allows you to enter Austria to collect your Red-White-Red card from the local residence authority. 

5

Travel to Austria and Start Working

Once your visa is approved, you can travel to Austria to collect your work or residence permit and finalise your residence application at the local registration office. 

Find out more about what employers are required to provide—read about employee benefits in Austria.

Work Permit Processing Time in Austria

The time and cost to process an Austrian visa depend on the volume of applicants, the type of visa, and the complexity of the entire process. 

Usually, it takes 15 working days (or two working weeks) to process an Austrian working visa after you submit your application at the embassy. This period may be extended – up to two more weeks – if immigration officers require additional clarification or documentation to complete the processing.

Austria Work Permit Costs and Fees

The cost of an Austrian visa depends on your nationality and the type of visa you’re applying for. If you’re going through the Red-White-Red immigration system, you’ll need to pay €120 for the application, €20 for the granting, and €20 for fingerprints, photography, scan, and signature. 

Foreigners applying for a visa to Austria through the Job Seeker option will pay £150 for the application. 

What Are The Paths to Becoming a Permanent Resident of Austria?

Considering its stringent immigration system, Austria offers a clear and structured pathway for foreigners seeking to become permanent residents. Once granted, this permanent residency gives you the rights to live and work indefinitely in Austria. 

Here are some of the ways to obtain permanent residency in Austria:

Legally Reside in Austria for at Least 5 years

To qualify for permanent residency in Austria, you must have lived and worked legally in the country for a minimum of 5 years. This covers the time spent under residence permits, such as the Red-White-Red Card, EU Blue Card, or family reunification visas. 

Demonstrate Financial Independence

Applicants must also prove that they’re financially self-sufficient and not resort to Austrian welfare benefits.

To apply, applicants must prove that their monthly income equals the equalization supplement reference rate of the General Social Insurance Act, which is as follows:

Household TypeMonthly Minimum Living Income
Singles€1,273.99
Couples€2,009.85
Per Child€196.57

Clear Criminal Record

Austria has a strict policy for public safety. So, to apply for permanent residency, immigrants must have a clean criminal record. This means your stay must not affect public security or Austria’s relations with other countries. 

Real Estate

While you don’t have to own a property, it’s mandatory that you provide proof of accommodation for yourself and your family. Also note that free accommodation doesn’t count in this case, since you have no legal title to it.

Secure Your Austria Work Visa and Start Your Dream Job Today!

Austria remains a top destination for immigrants and skilled workers seeking a place to add value, build a rewarding career, and enjoy an exceptional quality of life. If you plan to migrate with your family, even better. It’s above-average income level, strong social ties, and high-quality medical care allow you to live comfortably – and in style. 

However, before you’re permitted to move into the country, ensure that you already have a work visa from a registered company. You can opt for the Visa D if you plan to stay long term, which automatically qualifies you for a Red-White-Red Card Plus for a longer stay.