1. Binding Job Offer in Austria
You must have a fixed employment position with an Austrian employer. The employment must correspond appropriately to your qualifications, skills or professional background.
🇦🇹 Austria
Other Key Workers
Red-White-Red Card for Qualified Professionals
← Back to Austria
Austria offers a dedicated immigration pathway for qualified third-country nationals who have received a suitable employment offer from an Austrian employer.
The Red-White-Red Card for Other Key Workers is designed for qualified employees, specialists and other key professionals who do not necessarily work in an officially designated shortage occupation.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists applicants in assessing their eligibility and coordinates the immigration process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants generally need to satisfy three main requirements.
2. Minimum Salary
€3,465 Gross per Month (2026)
Plus the applicable special payments. The salary threshold is linked to Austrian social-security rules and may change from year to year.
3. Minimum 55 Points
55 Points
Under Austria's official points system for Other Key Workers.
Labour Market Test – AMS Assessment
The Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) checks whether an equally qualified person who is already registered as a job seeker can be placed in the available position.
- Whether the applicant reaches the required points
- Whether the proposed salary satisfies the minimum requirement
- Whether the employment conditions meet the applicable requirements
Points System
1. Qualifications
Maximum: 30 Points
Applicants with special knowledge or skills may qualify even without formal vocational training in certain circumstances.
- Completed vocational education or relevant special knowledge: 20 Points
- General eligibility for university admission: 25 Points
- Tertiary education program lasting at least three years: 30 Points
2. Professional Experience
Maximum: 20 Points
- Relevant professional experience: 1 Point per 6 Months
- Professional experience acquired in Austria: 2 Points per 6 Months
3. Language Skills
Maximum: 25 Points
- German A1: 5 Points · A2: 10 Points · B1: 15 Points
- English A2: 5 Points · B1: 10 Points
- French B1: 5 Points
- Spanish B1: 5 Points
- Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian B1: 5 Points
- English as predominant company language: additional 5 Points
4. Age
Maximum: 15 Points
- Under 30 years: 15 Points
- Under 40 years: 10 Points
5. Professional Athletes & Coaches
20 Bonus Points
This category also recognises certain applicants with special knowledge or skills even if they do not have formal vocational training.
Points Summary
Maximum 90 · Minimum required 55
Additional points may apply in specific circumstances. Reaching 55 points alone does not guarantee approval — the employment, salary, AMS labour-market test and other immigration requirements must also be satisfied.
Who May Benefit From This Pathway?
- Qualified Professionals
- Managers
- Specialists
- Sales Professionals
- Technical Experts
- Designers
- International Employees
- Professionals with Special Skills
- Professional Athletes
- Professional Sports Coaches
Unlike the shortage occupation pathway, your profession does not necessarily need to appear on Austria's annual shortage occupation list.
Employer Declaration
The prospective Austrian employer must provide an official employer declaration containing information about the proposed employment and confirming that the stated employment conditions will be observed.
This declaration forms part of the Red-White-Red Card application.
Where Can You Apply?
- Personally at the competent Austrian embassy or consulate abroad
- By the prospective Austrian employer to the competent residence authority in Austria
- In certain circumstances, personally in Austria following lawful entry and during lawful residence
For applicants intending to live in Vienna, the competent residence authority is generally MA 35.
Required Documents
- Valid Passport
- Recent Passport Photograph
- Evidence of Professional Education or Training
- Evidence of Special Knowledge or Skills
- University Admission Qualification, where applicable
- University or Tertiary Education Diploma, where applicable
- Employment Certificates
- Evidence of Professional Experience
- German or English Language Certificates
- Employer Declaration
- Evidence required for additional points
- Additional Documents Requested by the Authorities
Foreign-language documents may require certified translations and, where applicable, legalization or apostille.
Professional Recognition
Formal recognition of foreign qualifications is generally required only for regulated professions.
- Healthcare Professions
- Teachers at Public Schools
- Kindergarten Teachers
- Lawyers
For many other professions, formal Austrian recognition is not required. The qualification is assessed on the basis of the documents submitted with the application.
Application Process
- 01
Initial Consultation
We assess your qualifications, professional experience, age, language skills and Austrian employment offer.
- 02
Points Assessment
Your profile is reviewed against Austria's official points criteria.
- 03
Employment & Salary Review
The proposed employment and salary are reviewed against the applicable requirements.
- 04
Documentation
The required documents and employer declaration are coordinated.
- 05
AMS Assessment
The application is forwarded to the Austrian Public Employment Service, which assesses the employment requirements, points and labour-market situation.
- 06
Residence Authority Decision
If the AMS confirms the employment requirements and the general residence requirements are met, the competent residence authority can issue the Red-White-Red Card.
Processing, Fees & Validity
Processing Time
8 Weeks
Applicants should submit the application sufficiently before the intended employment start date.
Government Application Fee
€218
Additional costs may arise for translations, certifications, legalization and professional services.
Validity
Up to 24 Months
Temporary settlement and authorization to work for the employer specified in the application.
Changing Employers
The initial Red-White-Red Card is linked to the employer specified in the application. If the holder wants to change employers, a new residence title or change-of-purpose application may be required.
Under current Austrian rules, where the required application documents are complete, a holder changing employer may in certain cases begin the new employment after a 45-day waiting period following submission of the relevant application.
Red-White-Red Card Plus
Greater Employment Freedom
The Red-White-Red Card Plus provides unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.
21 Months During the Previous 24 Months
Related Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer?
Yes. A fixed qualifying employment position with an Austrian employer is required.
Does my profession have to be a shortage occupation?
No. This pathway is specifically useful for qualified professionals who may not fall under Austria's shortage occupation system.
How many points do I need?
You generally need at least 55 points.
What is the minimum salary in 2026?
The statutory minimum for this category is currently €3,465 gross per month plus applicable special payments.
Is there a labour-market test?
Yes. The AMS checks whether an equally qualified worker registered as a job seeker can fill the position.
How long is the card valid?
It is generally issued for up to 24 months.
Can I later work for any employer?
Eligible holders may subsequently qualify for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which provides unrestricted labour-market access.
Start Your Career in Austria
Find Out Whether You Qualify as an Other Key Worker
If you have a suitable Austrian employment offer and the qualifications, experience or specialised skills required for the position, the Other Key Workers pathway may provide an opportunity to live and work in Austria.
CETO can help assess your points, employment situation and immigration options.