Austrian Red-White-Red Card – Very Highly Qualified Workers

Who it's for

Highly educated and highly experienced non-EU professionals — for example senior managers, MINT graduates, PhD holders, researchers and award-winners — who can accumulate at least 70 points and either already have, or intend to find, a qualified job in Austria.

Requirements

• Score at least 70 of a possible 100 points on the very-highly-qualified criteria
• Points come from special qualifications/skills (max 40), work experience (max 20), language skills (max 10), age (max 20) and prior Austrian study (max 10)
• A concrete job offer matching your qualifications is required for the card itself (not for the initial job-seeker visa)
• Valid travel document, health insurance and proof of accommodation
• Employer willing to pay at least the legally required minimum pay for the role

What you can do

• Enter Austria on a six-month job-seeker visa to find a qualifying position
• Work for the employer named on the card and settle in Austria for the card's term
• Bring family members, who can apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus with free labour-market access
• Progress to a Red-White-Red Card Plus with unrestricted work rights after qualifying employment

How to apply

Applications are lodged either at an Austrian embassy or consulate abroad, or, for those already legally in Austria (or visa-exempt), directly with the competent residence authority.

Applicants without a job offer who meet the points threshold first obtain the six-month job-seeker visa, then apply for the card once employment is secured. The employer usually submits a declaration supporting the application.

Documents

• Valid passport and a recent passport photo
• Evidence supporting each claimed points category (degrees, diplomas, references)
• Employment contract or binding job offer (for the card)
• Proof of work experience (employer certificates)
• Language certificates
• Proof of health insurance and accommodation in Austria