Immigration & Residency in Austria

Austria's Red-White-Red Card is one of the country's principal immigration pathways for qualified third-country nationals seeking to live and work in Austria.

Different categories are available depending on the applicant's qualifications, professional experience and intended activity.

The EU Blue Card provides a residence and employment pathway for qualifying highly skilled third-country nationals who have an eligible job offer in Austria.

Eligibility depends on factors including qualifications, employment and the applicable salary requirements.

Very highly qualified professionals may qualify for Austria's Red-White-Red Card system based on a points-based assessment.

Eligible applicants may also have access to Austria's Job Seeker Visa pathway under the applicable requirements.

Qualified professionals in occupations officially classified as shortage occupations may be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card when the applicable qualification, employment and points requirements are satisfied.

Qualified third-country nationals who have an eligible employment offer in Austria may qualify as Other Key Workers when the applicable employment, salary, labour-market and points requirements are met.

Entrepreneurs planning to establish an innovative company in Austria may qualify for a Red-White-Red Card under the Start-up Founder category.

Eligibility is assessed according to specific business, capital, ownership and points-based requirements.

Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals whose proposed activity provides broader economic benefit to Austria may qualify under the Self-employed Key Worker pathway.

Applications are assessed according to the economic value and circumstances of the proposed activity.

Eligible third-country nationals who graduate from an Austrian university or other qualifying Austrian higher-education institution may have pathways to remain in Austria and transition into employment.

The Red-White-Red Card Plus provides eligible third-country nationals with temporary settlement and unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.

It may be available, among other cases, to qualifying holders of a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card and certain eligible family members.

Austria provides residence pathways for eligible family members of Austrian citizens and qualifying foreign residents.

Depending on the sponsor's residence status and the family's circumstances, different residence titles may apply.

International students admitted to qualifying Austrian educational institutions may apply for an appropriate residence permit for their studies, subject to the applicable requirements.

Austria provides specific immigration and residence pathways for qualifying researchers and academics undertaking eligible research activities in Austria.

International companies may be able to temporarily transfer eligible managers, specialists and trainees from a company outside the EU to an Austrian entity under applicable intra-corporate transfer rules.

Eligible third-country nationals who have been lawfully and continuously settled in Austria for the required period may qualify for Long-Term Residence – EU, provided the applicable legal and integration requirements are satisfied.

Experienced third-country nationals who have previously worked in Austria as registered regular seasonal workers may transition to permanent employment and longer-term residence.