Austria has a developed economy and a strong presence in engineering, manufacturing, electronics, food, craft, and related industries. It is also a major small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) economy, which can make it an attractive environment for innovators and career starters.
In addition to work opportunities, you can expect good working conditions in Austria. The country continues to place well in international well-being rankings, ranking 19th in the 2026 World Happiness Report.
Together, these attract foreign nationals to migrate and work. This article outlines the process of working in Austria, including eligibility requirements and a checklist of documents.
Steps to Apply for an Austrian Work Visa
In general, the Austrian work visa or residence permit route depends on your category and whether you already have a job offer.
You can follow these steps:
Step 1. Apply for a Work and Residence Permit
If you are applying for a Red-White-Red Card, you generally need a concrete job offer from an Austria-based employer. Your prospective employer may file the Red-White-Red Card application with the competent residence authority in Austria, and the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS – Arbeitsmarktservice) will assess the employment-related requirements.
Your employer will normally provide employer documents, such as an employer’s declaration, a job description, and details of the job classification or work contract. If AMS gives a positive evaluation and the residence-law requirements are met, the residence authority can issue the Red-White-Red Card.
If you are applying for a Job-Seeker Visa, you apply personally at the competent Austrian representation in your country of residence. This visa is not a work permit; it allows very highly qualified applicants to enter Austria for up to six months to look for suitable employment. Once you receive a matching job offer, you can apply for the Red-White-Red Card.
Step 2. Book an Appointment with the Embassy
If you are applying from abroad, schedule an appointment with the competent Austrian representation. This may be an embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You will submit your requirements, including the application form and any required employer documents.
Submit your requirements and prepare for identity checks and biometric data collection, if required. The application fee for a temporary residence permit card, including the Red-White-Red Card, is €218. Additional fees may apply for supporting documents, and applicants who need a visa to enter Austria may also need to apply for a Visa D to collect the residence permit.
Step 3. Receive Your Authorization
After you submit your application, the Austrian representation checks that the application is complete and forwards it to the competent authority in Austria. Processing time varies depending on the permit type, the authority, and whether the documents are complete.
The Red-White-Red Card is generally issued for up to 24 months and allows fixed-term settlement and employment with the employer specified in the application. The Job-Seeker Visa is valid for six months and allows eligible applicants to look for suitable employment in Austria.
Step 4. Travel to Austria
Make your travel arrangements to Austria. After arrival, contact the competent domestic authority to collect your residence permit if it has not already been issued. You must also register your place of residence with the competent registration authority within three days of moving into accommodation.
After holding a Red-White-Red Card for two years, you may be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card Plus if you were employed under the required conditions for at least 21 months during the previous 24 months. The Red-White-Red Card Plus provides fixed-term settlement and unrestricted labor market access.
Documents Needed for an Austrian Work Visa
Third-country nationals who want to live and work in Austria may apply for the Red-White-Red Card if they meet the requirements of an eligible category. The Red-White-Red Card serves as both a residence permit and an employment authorization for the specific employer or activity stated in the application.
The Red-White-Red Card is available for categories such as very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, other key workers, graduates of Austrian universities and colleges of higher education, regular workers in tourism, agriculture and forestry, self-employed key workers, and start-up founders. If you do not yet have a job offer, the Job-Seeker Visa may be available if you qualify as a very highly qualified worker.
Some categories use a points system. Very highly qualified workers and Job-Seeker Visa applicants must usually reach at least 70 points. Skilled workers in shortage occupations and other key workers usually need at least 55 points, while start-up founders usually need at least 50 points. Graduates of Austrian universities and colleges of higher education do not have a points system. You can review your eligibility through the Austrian points calculator.
The following documents are commonly required, depending on your category and personal situation:
| WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS |
|---|
| Basic Requirements |
- Fully completed application form
- Valid travel document or passport
- Passport photo taken within the last six months
- Proof of accommodation in Austria, if required
- Proof of health insurance covering all risks, if required
- Proof of secure livelihood, if required
- Qualification-related documents, such as diplomas, certificates, or proof of completed training
- Proof of language skills, if needed for your category
- Employer documents, such as an employer’s declaration, job description, job classification details, or employment contract, if applying with a job offer
- Police clearance certificate, if required
|
| ADDITIONAL WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS |
| Applicants with Special Skills and Qualifications |
- Proof of graduation or successful completion of a tertiary education program
- Document confirming completion of a program in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, or technology, if applicable
- Proof of gross annual salary, if applying under a senior management-related criterion
- Proof of research activities, such as scientific publications or patents, if applicable
- Document confirming awards or prizes, if applicable
|
| Applicants with Work Experience |
- Work certificates, references, or testimonials
- Relevant training certificates
- Proof of business activity or investment, if applying as a self-employed key worker or start-up founder
- Proof of applicable training or skills, if applying as a worker in a shortage occupation
|
| Applicants who have Studied in Austria |
- Degree certificate, diploma, confirmation of completion, or similar study record from the Austrian institution
|
You should submit copies and show the originals of the required documents when requested. Foreign documents may need legalization or an apostille. If documents are not in German or English, they may need to be translated by a sworn and court-certified translator, depending on the authority’s requirements.
Other work and residence routes include fixed-term employment, seasonal workers, posting of workers, transnational hiring, and intra-corporate transfers. These categories do not all follow the same process as the Red-White-Red Card or Job-Seeker Visa, so you should check the category-specific rules before applying.
If you wish to bring your family members with you, eligible family members can apply separately for the Red-White-Red Card Plus through family reunification.
Austria is open to individuals who want to pursue their careers in the country. Whether you already have a job offer or are still searching for one, there may be an appropriate work or residence route available to you. To improve your chances, plan ahead and make sure to submit all required documents.
We hope this article on how to get a work visa in Austria was helpful! If you’re interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out the Austria Page and Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
