Apply for a Red-White-Red Card in Austria
Obtain the points-based work-and-residence permit for qualified third-country nationals. You need a binding job offer, enough points across qualifications, experience, language and age, and a salary meeting the statutory minimum for your category.
- Timeline
- Around 8-12 weeks after a complete application
- Cost
- Application fees plus certified translations and document authentication
- Steps
- 6 stages
Deadline — read this first
A very highly qualified worker may first obtain a six-month jobseeker visa; once a qualifying job offer exists, the card application should follow promptly.
Who can file
Third-country nationals in categories such as very highly qualified workers, skilled shortage-occupation workers, other key workers, graduates and start-up founders.
Step by step
- 1
Check your category and points
Use the official points self-assessment to confirm which Red-White-Red Card category fits and that you reach the required score (generally 55) across qualifications, work experience, language skills and age.
- 2
Secure a qualifying job offer
Obtain a binding offer from an Austrian employer at or above the statutory minimum salary for your category. For shortage occupations, the role must appear on the current shortage list.
- 3
Gather and legalise documents
Collect diplomas, references, proof of language skills and identity documents, with certified translations and, where required, apostille or legalisation.
- 4
Submit the application
The applicant or the employer submits the application to the competent Austrian authority — at a representation abroad or, if lawfully in Austria, to the settlement authority. The employer’s declaration is filed in parallel.
- 5
Labour-market check by the AMS
The Public Employment Service (AMS) verifies the points, salary and, for some categories, the labour-market conditions before issuing its opinion.
- 6
Receive the card and register
On approval, collect the Red-White-Red Card, register your residence (Meldezettel) and enrol in social insurance once employment begins.
Documents you must produce
- Valid passport
- Binding job offer meeting the minimum salary
- Diplomas and proof of qualifications, translated and legalised
- Evidence of relevant work experience
- Proof of German or English language skills
Common mistakes that sink cases
- Falling short on points because language or experience evidence is incomplete.
- A job offer below the statutory minimum salary for the category, which disqualifies the application.
- Missing legalisation or certified translations, a frequent cause of delay.
- Assuming free labour-market access; the standard card ties you to the specific employer until you qualify for the plus card.
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