Other key workers

• Where to file the application?
• Which documents to submit?
• When will a Red-White-Red Card be issued?
• When will a Red-White-Red Card plus be issued?
• Further information and useful links

Third-country citizens who are to take up employment in undertakings as key workers due to their qualifications, may apply for a Red-White-Red Card valid for twelve months if they fulfil the following requirements:

• The prospective employer will pay the statutory minimum salary:
  • for key workers over 30 years of age: € 2,664 (2013) gross monthly pay plus special payments (holiday and Christmas pay),
  • for key workers under 30 years of age: € 2,220 (2013) gross monthly pay plus special payments (holiday and Christmas pay)
• No equally qualified person registered as a jobseeker at the Public Employment Service (AMS) can be placed (labour market test/Arbeitsmarktprüfung).
• The key workers reach a minimum of 50 points according to the following list of criteria:

* Key workers with special know-how or skills do not have to furnish proof that they have completed formal training (e.g. musicians, designers or professional athletes)

Where to file the application?

The application for the Red-White-Red Card can either be filed personally with the Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) for the applicant’s country of residence or by the potential employer with the competent residence authority in Austria, which can be the Provincial Governor (Landeshauptmann), the authorised Regional Administrative Authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the Local Administrative Authority (Magistrat). An employer’s declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) has to be submitted along with the application.

Persons who are permitted to enter Austria under a visa-free regime or already have a valid residence title may also file their applications with the competent residence authority in Austria.

Which documents to submit?

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
• Birth certificate or similar document
• Photo (dimensions: 45x35mm) which is not older than six months
• Evidence of locally customary accommodation (e.g. lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence)
• Evidence of health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)

Evidence of adequate means of subsistence (payslips, pay certificates, employment contracts, insurance benefit certificates, evidence of retirement or other pension or insurance benefits, investment capital or sufficient own assets)

The following documents have to be submitted for examination of the individual criteria under the points system (see above):

1.  Qualification

Vocational education/training

• Certificate or diploma of completed vocational education/training

Proof of eligibility for admission to university (Matura, Abitur, matriculation certificate)

• Certificate furnishing proof of general eligibility for admission to university

Graduation

• Document furnishing proof of successful completion of a three-year programme at a university or another institution of tertiary education
• Document reflecting the status of the university or other institution of tertiary education

2.   Work experience

• Testimonials and work certificates

3.   Language skills

• Language diploma or language course certificate at the A1 or A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages for German or the B1 or B2 levels for English. German language diplomas and certificates may in particular be obtained from the following institutions: ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, Telc GmbH, Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)
  The following diplomas and certificates are in particular recognised as evidence of proficiency in English: Cambridge Certificate, TELC, IELTS diploma, TOEIC diploma, TOEFL diploma.

4.   Professional athletes or professional sports coaches

• Testimonials and work certificates

Please note:

Originals and copies of the above-mentioned documents must be submitted. For easier review, the authority may require the documents to be translated into German or English; possibly, certified versions of documents may be required.

When will a Red-White-Red Card be issued?

The Austrian representation or residence authority will send the application and supporting documents to the Public Employment Service (AMS). The AMS will examine

• if the required number of points has been reached,
• if the prospective salary conforms with the statutory minimum (see above) and
• if no equally qualified person registered as a jobseeker can be placed.

If all requirements are fulfilled, the AMS will send confirmation to the residence authority and the residence authority will then issue the Red-White-Red Card, provided that the other requirements under settlement and residence legislation are met (such as locally customary accommodation, health insurance coverage etc.).

The Red-White-Red Card entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in the application.

When will a Red-White-Red Card plus be issued?

Key workers who hold a Red-White-Red Card may apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus with the competent residence authority in Austria (Provincial Governor, authorised Regional Administrative Authority or Local Administrative Authority) if they were employed in accordance with the criteria decisive for eligibility for a minimum of ten months during the preceding twelve months.

The Red-White-Red Card plus entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and unlimited labour market access. 

Further information and useful links

Fees

• Red-White-Red Card: €100
• Costs of personalisation (photography and signature): €20

Forms

• Application forms (German)
• Employer’s declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) (pdf - 615 KB; German)

Laws and provisions

• Settlement and Residence Act (German)
• Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals (pdf - 538 KB; English)
• Visa requirements (German)

Links

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (English)
• Austrian consular representations (English)