The Austria Job Seeker visa is a temporary residence permit that allows foreign nationals from non-EU/EEA countries to stay in Austria for six months to seek employment opportunities. It enables applicants to explore the job market, attend interviews, and secure a suitable job. During the visa duration, applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves and hold valid health insurance. Once they find a job, they can convert the visa into a work permit. However, if unsuccessful in finding employment, they must leave the country after the visa expires. The visa attracts skilled workers to contribute to Austria’s economy and workforce.
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Cards Issued by the Austrian Government
Red-White-Red Card
A firm job offer is the main prerequisite for a Red-White-Red Card. This position must meet your qualifications and pay a fair wage. If the conditions are satisfied, the Red-White-Red Card will be issued to you, provided that you also meet the general requirements under Austrian settlement and residency law (except housing and income).
You have the right to a fixed-term settlement and employment with the employer listed on your application if you have a Red-White-Red Card. Typically, the Red-White-Red Card is given out for 24 months. If this is a side job to your paid employment and all other legal conditions are met, you may also work for yourself.
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Red-White-Red Card Plus
If you are a Very Highly Qualified Person with a Red-White-Red Card and you worked for at least 21 months within the previous 24 months while meeting the requirements for employment, you may apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus at the Austrian residence authority (Provincial Governor, authorised Regional Administrative Authority, or Local Administrative Authority) to be evaluated by the AMS.
A Red-White-Red Card plus entitles its possessor to fixed-term settlement and unrestricted access to the work market.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to get the cards, you must receive at least 70 points based on the list of requirements below:
| Eligibility criteria for very highly qualified persons | Points |
| Special qualifications and skills | Maximum allowable points: 40 |
| Graduation from an institution of higher education, the minimum duration of the programme: four years | 20 |
| – in the subjects mathematics, informatics, natural sciences or technology (MINT subjects) | 30 |
| – Post-doctoral qualification (habilitation) or PhD | 40 |
| Gross salary of the previous year earned in a senior management position with a company listed on the stock exchange or a company for which the Austrian foreign trade office in charge issued a positive report about its activities or business segment: – €50,000 to 60,000 – €60,000 to 70,000 – More than €70,000 | 20 25 30 |
| Research and innovation activities(Patent applications, publications) | 20 |
| Awards (recognised prizes) | 20 |
| Work experience (adequately reflecting applicant’s qualification or senior management position) | Maximum allowable points: 20 |
| Work experience (per year) Six months of work experience in Austria | 2 10 |
| Language skills | Maximum allowable points: 10 |
| German or English language skills for the elementary use of the language on a basic level – (A1 level) | 5 |
| German or English language skills for the intensified elementary use of the language – (A2 level) | 10 |
| Spanish language skills for the independent use of the language – (B1 level) | 5 |
| French language skills for the independent use of the language – (B1 level) | 5 |
| Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian language skills for the intependet use of the language – (B1 level) | 5 |
| Age | Maximum allowable points: 20 |
| Up to 35 years of age Up to 40 years of age Up to 45 years of age | 20 15 10 |
| Studies in Austria | Maximum allowable points: 10 |
| Second part of diploma programme (Diplomstudium) or half of the required total ECTS points | 5 |
| Completed diploma programme (Diplomstudium)or Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme | 10 |
| Sum total of maximum allowable points: | 100 |
| Required minimum: | 70 |
Fees Required
- Jobseeker Visa: € 150 (13,590 INR)
- Red-White-Red Card:
- Application: € 120 (10,873 INR)
- Granting: € 20 (1,812 INR)
- Costs of personalisation: € 20 (1,812 INR)
- Fingerprints
- Scan of photography
- Signature
How to apply?
- You must personally submit an application for the Job Seeker Visa (category D visa) at the relevant Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of origin or current residence.
- Documents required
- Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
- Photo (dimensions: 45x35mm) which is not older than six months
- Proof of locally customary accommodation (e.g. lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence)
- Proof of health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)
- Proof 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)
- Academic transcripts
- 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
- The gross annual salary in a senior management position
- Tax assessment notice or pay certificate
- Confirmation by the previous employer that you worked in a senior management position
- Proof that the company is listed on the stock exchange or a positive report from the competent Austrian foreign trade office 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 you 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
- Work experience
- Testimonials and work certificates
- Language skills
- Language diploma or language course certificate at the A1 or A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The certificate should not be older than five years. OR
- German language diplomas and certificates may in particular be obtained from the following institutions: ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, Telc GmbH, Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) OR
- The following diplomas and certificates in particular are recognised as evidence of proficiency in English: Cambridge Certificate, TELC, IELTS diploma, TOEIC diploma, TOEFL diploma.
- Studies in Austria
- Course record book and related examination certificates
- Document reflecting the successful completion of a programme of studies in Austria
Note: You have to submit originals and copies of the above-mentioned documents. If the documents are not available in German or English, translations into German or English must be provided.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Austria Job Seeker visa offers a valuable opportunity for non-EU/EEA nationals to explore potential employment prospects in Austria. By granting a six-month stay, the visa encourages skilled individuals to actively engage with the job market and contribute to Austria’s economy. While it provides an avenue for securing a work permit upon successful job acquisition, it also ensures that those unable to find employment return to their home country after the visa expires. This balanced approach supports the nation’s workforce requirements while maintaining immigration control. Overall, the Austria Job Seeker visa demonstrates Austria’s commitment to attracting talent and fostering a diverse and dynamic workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Who is eligible for the Austria Job Seeker visa?
Non-EU/EEA nationals with a recognized qualification, relevant work experience, or special skills can apply. They must demonstrate sufficient funds, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
Q. How long does the Austria Job Seeker visa allow me to stay?
The visa is valid for six months, during which you can explore the job market, attend interviews, and secure employment.
Q. Can I convert the Austria Job Seeker visa into a work permit?
Yes, if you find a job during the visa duration, you can convert it into a work permit to stay and work in Austria legally.
Q. What happens if I can’t find a job within the visa period?
If you are unsuccessful in finding employment, you must return to your home country before the visa expires.
Q. Can I apply for the Austria Job Seeker visa again if I need more time to find a job?
Generally, applicants are allowed to apply for the visa only once. Once the visa expires, you may explore other visa options or seek employment in your home country before applying again.
