1. Managers
The applicant must demonstrate the relevant managerial role.
- An Austrian Branch
- A Department of the Branch
- Important Areas of the Company's Operations
🇦🇹 Austria
Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT)
Transfer Key Employees to Austria
← Back to Austria
Austria offers a dedicated residence and employment pathway for third-country nationals who are temporarily transferred within the same company or corporate group to an Austrian branch or affiliated entity.
The Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) route is designed for managers, specialists and trainee employees who remain part of the international company or group while carrying out a temporary assignment in Austria.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international companies and employees in assessing ICT eligibility and coordinates the immigration process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
What Is an Intra-Corporate Transfer?
An intra-corporate transfer allows an eligible employee of a company outside the EU to be temporarily transferred to an Austrian branch or company within the same corporate group. The Austrian ICT residence permit combines:
- Temporary Residence in Austria
- Authorization to Carry Out the Approved Employment
- International Corporate Mobility
- Temporary Assignment Within the Same Company or Group
The ICT route does not apply to personnel leasing companies or placement agencies.
Who Can Qualify?
Austria recognises three principal categories of intra-corporate transferees.
2. Specialists
Specialists are employees who possess specialised knowledge essential to the Austrian branch or corporate entity.
- Highly Specialised Technical Knowledge
- Advanced Professional Qualifications
- Company-Specific Expertise
- Specialist Industry Knowledge
- Expertise Essential to the Austrian Operation
3. Trainee Employees
Trainee employees are generally university graduates transferred for:
- Career Development
- Industry-Specific Training
- Technical Training
- Methodological Training
- Professional Development
Prior Employment Requirement
Before the transfer to Austria, applicants generally need to have already worked within the company or corporate group.
Managers & Specialists
9 Months
Of employment within the company or group immediately before the transfer.
Trainees
6 Months
Of prior employment within the company or group.
Temporary Transfer
The transfer must be temporary. Applicants must submit an employment contract or assignment documentation demonstrating:
- The Need for the Temporary Transfer
- The Position in Austria
- Employment Conditions
- The Relationship Between the Companies
- The Temporary Nature of the Assignment
The documentation should also demonstrate that the employee can return to a branch or company within the same group outside the EU following completion of the transfer.
Genuine Business Activity
The Austrian host company or branch must conduct genuine economic activity.
- Company Register Extract
- Business Activity Documentation
- Corporate Structure
- Evidence of Active Operations
The Austrian host entity must not merely exist for the purpose of facilitating immigration.
Maximum Duration
Managers & Specialists
3 Years
Trainee Employees
1 Year
Mobile ICT
Transfer from another EU Member State to Austria.
Long-Term Mobile ICT
Over 90 Days
The employee generally requires an Austrian Mobile ICT residence permit and must continue to hold a valid ICT residence permit issued by another participating EU Member State.
Short-Term Mobile ICT
Under 90 Days
A separate Austrian ICT residence permit is generally not required. Instead, the applicable Austrian rules governing short-term intra-EU corporate mobility and worker posting apply.
Employment Conditions & AMS Assessment
The employment conditions in Austria must satisfy the applicable legal requirements, and the employer must generally provide an employer declaration detailing the conditions of the proposed employment.
The competent Austrian residence authority forwards the application to the regional AMS office responsible for the Austrian host branch. The AMS assesses matters including:
- Whether the applicant falls within an ICT category
- Prior Employment within the Group
- Employment Conditions
- Qualifications
- Corporate Relationship
- Genuine Economic Activity of the Host Company
- Applicable Labour-Market Requirements
Where Can You Apply?
For a direct transfer from a third country to Austria, applicants generally submit the application personally at the competent Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
Alternatively, the owner or authorised representative of the Austrian host branch may submit the application to the competent Austrian residence authority. For applicants intending to reside in Vienna, the competent residence authority is generally MA 35.
Required Documents
Standard Documents
- Valid Passport
- Birth Certificate or Equivalent Document
- Recent Passport Photograph
- Health Insurance Evidence
- Evidence of Sufficient Financial Means
- Employer Declaration
Direct ICT Transfers
- Employment Contract
- Assignment Letter
- Evidence of Temporary Transfer
- Evidence of Required Prior Employment
- Proof of Corporate Group Relationship
- Company Register Extract
- Evidence of Genuine Economic Activity
Managers
- Employment Contract
- Evidence of Management Function
- Evidence of Authorization for Regulated Professions where applicable
Specialists
- Relevant Professional Qualifications
- University or Higher-Education Degree where applicable
- Professional Experience
- Specialist Knowledge
- Employment Certificates
Trainees
- Training Agreement
- Evidence of University Graduation
- Employment Documentation
- Details of the Training Program
Translation & Legalization
The Austrian authorities may require originals and copies of documents. Documents that are not in German or English may require certified translation, legalization or apostille.
Family Members
Eligible family members of ICT and Mobile ICT holders may obtain Austrian residence rights through the applicable family reunification pathway.
- Spouses
- Registered Partners
- Minor Unmarried Children
Eligible family members may also obtain access to the Austrian labour market if the applicable requirements are fulfilled and they have a legally binding Austrian employment offer.
Government Application Fee
€218
- Translations
- Apostilles
- Legalization
- Professional Services
- Supporting Documents
Who May Benefit From ICT?
- International Executives
- Senior Managers
- Technical Specialists
- Engineers
- IT Specialists
- Corporate Experts
- International Project Managers
- Trainee Employees
- Multinational Companies
- International Corporate Groups
Our Process
- 01
Corporate Structure Assessment
We review the relationship between the overseas employer and Austrian host company.
- 02
Employee Eligibility Assessment
We determine whether the employee qualifies as a manager, specialist or trainee.
- 03
Prior Employment Review
The required previous employment within the corporate group is assessed.
- 04
Documentation
Employment contracts, assignment documents, corporate evidence and residence documents are coordinated.
- 05
Application Submission
The ICT application is submitted according to the applicable Austrian procedure.
- 06
AMS Assessment
The AMS reviews the employment-related requirements.
- 07
Residence Approval
If all applicable requirements are satisfied, the competent residence authority can issue the ICT residence permit.
ICT vs. Permanent Immigration
Managers and specialists can generally remain under ICT status for a maximum of three years, while trainees are limited to one year. Employees wishing to remain in Austria on a longer-term basis may need to assess another Austrian immigration pathway.
Temporary Corporate Transfer
- Red-White-Red Card
- EU Blue Card
- Other Key Workers
- Long-Term Employment Pathways
Related Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use the ICT route?
Managers, specialists and trainee employees temporarily transferred within the same company or corporate group may potentially qualify.
How long must I have worked for the company?
Managers and specialists generally need at least nine months of prior employment within the company or group. Trainees generally need at least six months.
How long can I stay in Austria?
Managers and specialists can generally remain under the ICT route for a maximum of three years. Trainees are generally limited to one year.
Can I be transferred from another EU country?
Yes. If you already hold an ICT residence permit issued by another EU Member State, Austria provides a Mobile ICT pathway.
What if my Austrian assignment lasts less than 90 days?
A separate Austrian Mobile ICT residence permit is generally not required for assignments of less than 90 days, although other notification and employment rules can apply.
Can my family come with me?
Eligible spouses, registered partners and minor unmarried children may qualify for family residence rights.
Can my spouse work?
Potentially yes. Access to employment depends on the family member's Austrian residence title and the applicable employment requirements.
Is ICT a route to permanent residence?
ICT is primarily designed for temporary corporate transfers. Longer-term residence usually requires assessment of another Austrian immigration pathway.
Move Your Key Employees to Austria
Corporate Mobility with Professional Support
Whether you are transferring a senior executive, specialist or trainee to an Austrian branch, CETO can help assess the applicable ICT route and coordinate the immigration process.