🇦🇹 Austrian Work Permit
For foreign nationals wishing to travel to Austria, the type of visa required depends on the duration and purpose of the visit. For short stays of up to 90 days, a Schengen visa is sufficient, while for longer stays exceeding 90 days, a national visa (Type D) or residence permit is required. Applicants whose work permit scope is less than 90 days can enter the country with their Schengen visa without any additional procedures. However, those planning a long-term work and residence must hold both an Austrian work permit and a residence permit.
Austria has implemented the “Red-White-Red Card” (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte) system to address labor shortages in certain sectors and to employ highly qualified workers. To be eligible for this right, applicants must present documents proving their professional qualifications and obtain the minimum score from the points-based system set by the country. The scoring system evaluates criteria such as education level, professional experience, language proficiency, and age. Applicants who achieve the required score are granted the card, which allows them to work for a specific employer in Austria for 12 months. The card also enables the applicant to bring family members to the country and allows them to participate in the labor market.
🏢 Types of Austrian Work Permits and Application Method
Those wishing to obtain a work permit in Austria must first apply for a long-term national visa. It is not possible to obtain a work permit with a Schengen visa. National (Type D) visas are issued for purposes such as work, family reunification, and education. Work permit applications are divided into different categories depending on the applicant’s qualifications:
- Qualified labor migration with the Red-White-Red Card
- Highly Qualified category
- Specialized Personnel for Occupations with Labor Shortages
- Other Key Workforce Categories
- Foreign University Graduates
Applicants in the highly qualified category can travel to Austria without an existing job offer for up to six months with a “Job-Seeker Visum” to find employment. In addition, applications from those specialized in occupations with labor shortages, such as certain engineering fields, are evaluated more favorably.
📌 The Red-White-Red Card System
This system, which is Austria’s adaptation of the Blue Card used in other European countries, scores applicants based on professional qualifications, education level, language skills, age, and integration criteria. Candidates who exceed the minimum score are granted the card, which is valid for 12 months and allows work only for the employer specified in the application. It can be renewed before its expiration.
Cardholders can also bring family members to Austria. No quota is applied for family members, and they may join the Austrian labor market depending on their professional, educational, and age qualifications.
📝 Austrian Work Permit Application Process
Work permit applications are submitted to the nearest Austrian Consulate or Embassy in the applicant’s country of residence. For applications from Turkey, the first step is to apply for a long-term (Type D) visa. The documents required for the visa application vary depending on the category applied for. Having complete and consistent documentation is critical for a positive outcome.
📄 Required Documents for an Austrian Work Permit
The documents required for a work permit application may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances, but generally include the following:
- Application Form: Must be completed fully and accurately, with no contradictions to other documents.
- Biometric Photograph: Taken within the last six months, with the face and ears clearly visible, and a white background.
- Passport: Must not be older than 10 years, have at least two blank pages, and include photocopies of all used pages.
- Proof of Residence: Document showing the address where you will reside in Austria.
- International Birth Certificate: With a German translation if required.
- Marriage Certificate: Apostilled and translated.
- Declaration of Intent to Work in Austria: Confirmation from an employer or a personal work intent statement.
- Financial Documents: Bank account statements proving the ability to support yourself and your family financially.
- Travel Health Insurance: With a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Accommodation Details in Austria: Proof of the exact address where you will reside during your stay.
🕒 Residence Permit and Renewal Procedures
Applicants entering Austria with a work permit must apply for a residence permit within the first week of arrival. Approved residence permits are usually valid for 12 months and must be renewed before expiration. Expired permits are treated as new applications, extending the process. If your employment lasts longer than 12 months, the residence permit renewal should be completed before the job ends.
Work permit holders with the Red-White-Red Card can also bring their family members to Austria without any quota restrictions. Depending on their qualifications, family members can join the labor market in Austria under specific procedures.