With its high standard of living and high average salary of €4,388, Austria is a popular destination among foreigners looking for new job opportunities. To work in Austria as a non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen, you need to obtain an Austrian work visa and work permit. This can be done either by finding a job from abroad and having your employer apply for your work visa, or applying for an Austrian job seeker visa and look for work once you arrive. This guide will simplify the process by explaining visa types, requirements, and the application process.
Do I need a visa to enter Austria?
If you're from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and want to work in Austria for more than 90 days, you must apply for an Austrian work visa (Visa D) in your home country. You'll also require a work and residence permit for stays longer than 6 months.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens planning to stay in Austria for more than 3 months must only obtain a registration certificate (Aufenthaltsbescheinigung) from the local town hall within 4 months of arriving in Austria.
Types of work permits in Austria
Austrian work permits are usually valid for 2 years and allow you to work for a specific employer. The permit you need to work in Austria depends on your job and qualifications.
Typically, requirements for Austrian work permits include either a labour market test or evaluation on a point-based system. Permits without a labour market test are usually easier and faster to get.
Here're the common types of Austrian work permits:
1. Red-White-Red card for very highly qualified workers
You're eligible for the Red-White-Red card for very highly qualified workers if you meet these requirements:
- You must have a concrete job offer from an Austrian employer that provides a competitive salary.
- You must score a minimum of 70 points based on a list of criteria, which includes factors like qualifications, work experience, language skills and age.
2. Red-White-Red card for graduates
If you're graduating from an Austrian university, you can extend your student residence permit for 1 more year to search for a job in Austria. Once you've landed a job offer, you can apply for a Red-White-Red card for graduates if:
- You received an employment offer matching your education level.
- You'll earn a gross minimum salary comparable to the salary of Austrian junior employees.
- You fulfil the general requirements for an Austrian residence permit.
3. Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers in shortage occupations
You can apply for a Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers in shortage occupations if you meet these criteria:
- Your job is listed on the shortage occupation list in the region where you will work.
- You'll earn at least a minimum salary according to law or collective agreement for your field.
- You must score at least 55 points according to the list of criteria, which includes factors like qualifications, work experience, language skills and age.
4. EU Blue Card
You're eligible for the EU Blue Card if you meet these requirements:
- You've completed a study of at least 3 years (or have equivalent professional experience for ICT workers and service managers).
- Have an employment contract or job offer valid for at least 6 months.
- You'll earn at least 1.5 times the average gross income of full-time employees (in 2023, at least €45,595).
- The labour market test proves that there are no equally qualified Austrian or EU citizens available for the job.
Job seeker visa Austria
If you're a highly skilled non-EU citizen without a job offer, you can apply for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa. This visa is valid for 6 months, allowing you to search for a job in Austria legally.
As soon as you find your new job, you'll have to apply for an Austrian work permit, such as a Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers.
To qualify for the Job seeker visa, you must meet the same 70-point requirement as for the Very highly qualified workers visa. The Job seeker visa application costs €150 and you need to provide proof of payment when applying.
Austrian work visa requirements
Besides meeting the criteria for a specific work permit, you must prepare these documents for every work visa application in Austria:
- Completed visa application form
- Valid travel document
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Employment contract
- Proof of accommodation
- Sufficient travel health insurance
- Proof of connection to your home country (e.g. family ties)
How much do Austrian visas cost?
Here's a breakdown of the costs associated with getting your Austrian work visa and permit:
| Type visa | Price |
|---|---|
| EU Blue Card | €160 |
| Austrian work permit | €140 |
| Job Seeker Visa | €150 |
| Personalisation (fingerprints, scan of photography and signature) | €20 |
How to apply for an Austrian work visa?
Once you meet all the criteria, you can start the application process for getting a work visa in Austria. Follow the points below for the step-by-step guide to getting your work visa in Austria:
1. Land a job in Austria
Unless you're applying for an Austria Job Seeker Visa, you must have a concrete job offer before applying for the work visa in Austria. Explore online platforms like LinkedIn and research company career pages to find a job in Austria..
2. Apply for an Austrian work and residence permit
You or your Austrian employer can apply for your work and residence permit card, which you'll receive upon your arrival in Austria. Begin the process 4-6 months before your planned arrival date to ensure you have enough time to complete the required steps.
The required documents for your work permit may vary but typically include the following:
- Valid passport
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Proof of sufficient income (€1,110.26/month for singles, €1,751.56/month for couples, additional €171.31/month for each child)
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of completion of a course at a higher educational institution with a minimum duration of 3 years
- Employer's declaration
- Proof of accommodation in Austria
- Police clearance certificate, not older than 3 months
- Evidence for any claim made in the application, such as work experience, proof of language skills, diplomas, awards and prizes
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3. Apply for the Austrian work visa
Even though people often use 'work visa' and 'work permit' interchangeably, they're different, and you need to apply for each separately. A work permit lets you live and work in Austria, while a Visa D is what you need to enter Austria legally for work.
Here's how to apply for a work visa at your local Austrian embassy or consulate:
- Once you receive an invitation from the Austrian Embassy/Consulate to apply for your Visa D, fill out the application form and pay the fee.
- Collect necessary documents like your passport, job contract, proof of accommodation, and health coverage.
- Set up an appointment at the Austrian consulate or embassy.
- Attend the visa interview with your completed form and documents.
Is it easy to get a work visa in Austria?
For non-European citizens, obtaining a work visa in Austria can be tough if you’re not considered very highly qualified. You'll usually require a job contract, and your employer might need to prove they couldn't find a local worker through a labour market test. Plus, you'll need approval from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS), which makes it a strict process. However, if you're a skilled professional with ample experience, valuable skills, and a solid educational background, you can skip the labour market test.
How fast can you get a work visa?
Schengen visas generally take around 15 days to process, but this duration can extend to 45 days if extra checks are necessary. On the other hand, Austrian work permits have processing times of 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the permit type. Red-White-Red cards tend to be quicker to get as they don't require a labour market test.
Now that you know what type of work visa you need and how to apply for it, you can gradually prepare for a new chapter in your career and easy relocation to Austria.
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