🇦🇹 Austria

Very Highly Qualified Workers

Red-White-Red Card for Top International Professionals

Austria offers a dedicated immigration pathway for very highly qualified third-country nationals, including experienced professionals, researchers, scientists, senior managers and other individuals with exceptional qualifications.

Applicants who meet the required points threshold may qualify for a Red-White-Red Card. Those who do not yet have a suitable Austrian job offer may also have the opportunity to enter Austria with a Job Seeker Visa for up to six months.

CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists applicants in assessing their profile and coordinates the immigration process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.

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Who Qualifies?

Applicants must achieve at least:

70 out of 100 Points

Special Qualifications & Skills
Professional Experience
Language Skills
Age
Previous Studies in Austria

The Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) makes the official assessment of whether the required points are achieved.

Points System

1. Special Qualifications & Skills

Maximum: 40 Points

Degree program (min. 4 years) at a tertiary institution: 20 points
MINT/STEM degree (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology): 30 points
PhD / Habilitation: 40 points
Senior management gross annual salary €50,000–€60,000: 20 points
Senior management €60,000–€70,000: 25 points
Senior management more than €70,000: 30 points
Research & innovation (patents, scientific publications): 20 points
Recognised professional or academic awards: 20 points

2. Professional Experience

Maximum: 20 Points

Relevant professional experience or senior management experience: 1 point per 6 months
Six months of professional experience in Austria: 10 points

3. Language Skills

Maximum: 10 Points

German or English A1: 5 points
German or English A2: 10 points
French B1: 5 points
Spanish B1: 5 points
Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian B1: 5 points

4. Age

Maximum: 20 Points

Up to 35 years: 20 points
Up to 40 years: 15 points
Up to 45 years: 10 points

5. Previous Studies in Austria

Maximum: 10 Points

Completion of the second stage of a diploma program or at least half of the required ECTS credits: 5 points
Completion of an Austrian diploma program or a Bachelor's and Master's degree: 10 points

Minimum Requirement

Maximum available points: 100.

Minimum Required: 70 Points

Meeting 70 points does not automatically guarantee approval. The Austrian authorities and AMS assess the applicant's evidence and eligibility.

No Job Offer Yet?

Austria Job Seeker Visa

One of the major advantages of the Very Highly Qualified Workers category is the possibility of applying without already having an Austrian employer.

Applicants who achieve at least 70 points may apply for a 6-month Job Seeker Visa. This allows eligible applicants to enter Austria and search for employment corresponding to their qualifications.

The Job Seeker Visa application is generally submitted personally to the competent Austrian embassy or consulate abroad.

6-Month Job Seeker Visa

What Happens After You Find a Job?

If you receive an employment offer during the validity of your Job Seeker Visa and the position corresponds to your qualifications, you may apply for a Red-White-Red Card – Very Highly Qualified Workers.

The employment must correspond to your qualifications and be appropriately remunerated. An employer declaration containing information about the proposed employment must also be provided.

Already Have an Austrian Job Offer?

Applicants who already have a suitable Austrian employment offer do not necessarily need to use the Job Seeker Visa route. Subject to the applicable requirements, they may apply directly for the Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers.

The application may generally be submitted through the competent Austrian representation abroad. Under certain circumstances, applications can also be submitted during lawful residence in Austria. An Austrian prospective employer may also submit the Red-White-Red Card application in Austria.

Validity

The Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers is generally issued for up to 24 months. It provides temporary settlement and employment authorization for the employer specified in the application.

Up to 24 Months

Red-White-Red Card Plus

Greater Freedom After Establishing Yourself in Austria

A qualifying holder may subsequently apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus if they have worked in accordance with the applicable eligibility requirements for at least 21 months during the previous 24 months.

The Red-White-Red Card Plus provides unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.

21 Months During the Previous 24 Months

Who May Benefit From This Pathway?

Senior Executives
Scientists
Researchers
IT Specialists
Engineers
Technology Professionals
Highly Qualified Managers
PhD Holders
Innovation Professionals
Experienced International Specialists

Our Process

01
Profile Assessment
We review your education, professional experience, age, language skills and other relevant qualifications.
02
Points Assessment
Your profile is assessed against Austria's official points criteria.
03
Immigration Strategy
Depending on whether you already have an Austrian job offer, we identify the appropriate application pathway.
04
Documentation & Application
The required documentation is prepared and coordinated together with the relevant professional partners.
05
Job Search / Employment
Where applicable, eligible applicants can use the Job Seeker Visa pathway to search for suitable employment in Austria.
06
Red-White-Red Card
Once the applicable requirements and qualifying employment conditions are fulfilled, the Red-White-Red Card application can proceed.

Related Pathways

Red-White-Red Card Plus Red-White-Red Card Family Reunification

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need?

Applicants need at least 70 out of 100 points.

Do I need a job before applying?

Not necessarily. Very Highly Qualified Workers who satisfy the applicable requirements can apply for a six-month Job Seeker Visa before having an Austrian employer.

How long can I search for work in Austria?

The Job Seeker Visa is valid for six months.

What happens if I do not find a suitable job?

If you do not find qualifying employment within the six-month validity period, you generally have to leave Austria. A new Job Seeker Visa can generally only be applied for after a waiting period of 12 months.

Does reaching 70 points guarantee approval?

No. The points calculator provides an initial indication only. The AMS officially assesses the submitted qualifications and supporting documentation.

How long is the Red-White-Red Card valid?

It is generally issued for up to 24 months.

Can I later change to unrestricted labour market access?

Eligible holders may subsequently qualify for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which provides unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.

Start Your Professional Future in Austria

Find Out Whether You Qualify

Your education, career history, age, language skills and professional achievements can determine whether you qualify as a Very Highly Qualified Worker in Austria.

CETO can help you assess your profile and understand the appropriate immigration pathway.