Very highly qualified 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 with a very high level of qualifications may apply for a six-month visa for the purpose of job search if they reach a minimum of 70 points according to the following list of criteria:

Where to file the application?

Visas for the purpose of job search have to be applied for at the competent Austrian representation (embassy, consulate) of the applicants’ home countries or countries of residence. Application forms are available at the Austrian representation. Visas for the purpose of job search will be granted if the Public Employment Service (AMS) confirms to the Austrian representation that the required points for admission have been reached.

Very highly qualified workers who have obtained a job search visa may apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the competent residence authority in Austria if they are able to submit an employment offer (work contract) during the period of validity of the visa. The competent authority can either be the Provincial Governor (Landeshauptmann), the authorised Regional Administrative Authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the Local Administrative Authority (Magistrat).

Applicants permitted to enter Austria under a visa-free regime do not require a Jobseeker Visa. They may apply for the Red-White-Red Card during their lawful visa-free stay in Austria if they find a job corresponding to their qualifications during this period.

Red-White-Red Card applications for "very highly qualified workers" must exclusively be made to the competent residence authority in Austria (Provincial Governor, authorised Regional Administrative Authority or Local Administrative Authority). An employer’s declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) has to be submitted along with the application.

Which documents to submit?

The following documents must be submitted upon application for the Jobseeker Visa:

• 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.      Special qualifications and skills

Graduation

• Document furnishing proof of successful completion of a four-year programme at a university or another institution of tertiary education
• Document reflecting the status of the university or other institution of tertiary education
• Document furnishing proof of successful completion of a programme in a MINT subject (= mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology)
• Document furnishing proof of habilitation

Gross annual salary in a senior management position

• Tax assessment notice or pay certificate
• Confirmation by the previous employer that the applicant worked in a senior management position
• Proof that the company is listed on the stock exchange or positive report from the Austrian foreign trade office in charge about its activities or business segment

Research and innovation activities

• Proof of scientific publications, stating titles and sources
• Certificate issued by a university or research institution that the applicant worked in R&D or academic scientific teaching
• Proof of patent application(s) through extracts from national or regional patent registers

Recognised awards and prizes

• Document proving the conferral of the award or prize

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.
  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.    Studies in Austria

• Course record book and related examination certificates
• Document reflecting the successful completion of a programme of studies in Austria

Please note:

Originals and copies of the above-mentioned documents must be submitted. If the documents are not available in German or English, translations into German or English must be provided. The Austrian representation will examine documents for completeness and send them to the Public Employment Service for assessment and awarding of points. Upon request by the AMS certified versions of documents must be furnished.

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

Very highly qualified workers with valid Jobseeker Visas may apply for a Red-White-Red Card for twelve months if, during the period of validity of their visas, they find an employer offering them a work contract corresponding to their level of qualification.

Very highly qualified persons permitted to enter Austria under a visa-free regime may apply for the Red-White-Red Card during their lawful visa-free stay in Austria.

In any event, a specific employment offer corresponding to the qualification of the applicant, with adequate pay, must be available.

The Red-White-Red Card is issued after examination by the Public Employment Service (AMS), provided that the intended employment corresponds to the applicant’s qualifications, is adequately paid and 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 a specified employer.

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

Very highly qualified persons who hold a Red-White-Red Card may apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus at 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.