Why apply for an Austria Job Seeker Visa?

This is a six-month permit that is given to highly qualified applicants to come to Austria and search for a job. This visa is again issued based on a points-based system.

An applicant who scores 70 out of 100 points is considered highly- qualified worker.

If a person fails to find a job within the six-month validity of the visa, he must go back to his home country and can apply for a fresh jobseeker visa after a waiting period of 12 months.

The job seeker visa allows to:

• Search for a suitable job in Austria in six months
• Convert the visa into a Red-White-Red visa on receiving a job offer from an Austrian employer
• Apply for a Red-White-Red plus visa after 21 months of working for the same employer

• Proof of educational credentials
• Proof of professional credentials
• Recent medical report
• Police clearance certificate

• Migrants play a vital role in Austria’s economic development
• The country requires skilled immigrants to solve the skills shortage in various sectors.
• Immigrants are needed due to the reduced growth in population

Work visa for EU/EEA residents

People belonging to the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) do not require a work visa. They do not need a work permit to work in the country.

EU Blue card

The EU blue card allows highly qualified non-EU citizens to live and work in Austria for a period of two years. The work visa is granted provided there is a valid job offer. Another condition is that the AMS (the Austrian Labor Market Service) should declare that the specific work cannot be done by any Austrian or EU citizen.

Red-white-Red card

The Austrian government provides the Red-White-Red card visa option for highly skilled workers. It is a combination of a residence permit and a work permit.

It is valid for two years and the visa is linked with a specific employer. If you change your employer within those two years, you will have to apply for a new Red-White-Red card.

Work visa for EU/EEA residents

People belonging to the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) do not require a work visa. They do not need a work permit to work in the country.

EU Blue card

The EU blue card allows highly qualified non-EU citizens to live and work in Austria for a period of two years. The work visa is granted provided there is a valid job offer. Another condition is that the AMS (the Austrian Labor Market Service) should declare that the specific work cannot be done by any Austrian or EU citizen.

Red-white-Red card

The Austrian government provides the Red-White-Red card visa option for highly skilled workers. It is a combination of a residence permit and a work permit.

It is valid for two years and the visa is linked with a specific employer. If you change your employer within those two years, you will have to apply for a new Red-White-Red card.

What are the eligibility requirements for the various Austrian work visas?

Red-white-Red card

• The Red-White-Red card is given to applicants after assessing them on a points-based system.
• The applicants must have enough points based on criteria like age, education, professional experience, language skills, etc.
• Applicants are assessed by the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) which will evaluate the applicant and decide on the number of points.
• Individuals who have had the Red-White-Red card for more than two years can apply for the Red-White-Red card plus provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements and has worked with the same employer for a minimum of 21 months.

Work visa for EU/EEA residents

• Must be employed in an Austrian organization or are self-employed
• Must prove that they have enough income and insurance to support themselves and their family
• Must register at the local immigration office within three months of their entry

EU Blue card

• Must have completed a university course of at least three years
• Qualifications must suit the job profile
• Salary specified in the job offer must be 1.5 times higher than the average annual income of full- time employees in Austria

The Austria Job Seeker visa is valid for up to 6 months, allowing highly qualified professionals to enter the country and seek employment. The Job seeker visa in Austria, however, is non-renewable and cannot be extended. Once you secure a job offer in the country, you will be required to apply for the Red-White-Red Card, which grants you legal access to reside and work in Austria.

The Austrian Job Seeker visa uses a points-based system to check the eligibility of highly qualified workers. The points system for the Austria Job Seeker visa assesses eligibility based on factors such as age, work experience, education, language skills (German/English), and additional points for studies or research conducted in Austria. Job seeker visa applicants must score a minimum of 70 points to qualify for the visa.

The minimum points required for an Austrian Job Seeker Visa is 70 out of 100. The points-based system assesses applications based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and whether the applicant has completed their studies or research work in Austria. To qualify for an Austria Job seeker visa and score the minimum required points, you must be a highly qualified individual in a skilled job role or in any of the shortage occupations. 

While there is no official age limit for an Austria Job Seeker visa, you must be at least 18 years old to apply. However, candidates under 45 years of age have better chances of securing more points in the points-based system, which improves their chances of qualifying for the visa. The points-based system rewards individuals under 45 years of age with more points, and those below 35 years of age have a better chance of having their visa approved. 

The processing time for the Austrian Job Seeker Visa typically ranges from 4 to 12 weeks on average. The time taken to process job seeker visa applications may, however, vary depending on your country of origin, the overall workload at the embassy, and the completeness of your visa application.

No, you cannot bring your family on an Austrian job seeker visa, as the visa is only issued for a period of up to 6 months to enter the country and search for a job. Once you secure a job in Austria, you can, however, convert to a Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card), which supports family reunification, allowing you to bring your spouse and minor children to Austria.

No, the Austrian Job Seeker Visa is non-extendable and cannot be renewed. The Austrian Job seeker visa is only issued for 6 months, after which you can either get a job offer and switch to a Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card), or leave the country before the expiration of the visa if you do not get a job. While you cannot extend the Austrian Job Seeker Visa, you can, however, secure a job offer and apply for a residence permit (RWR Card), which allows you to remain in the country for an extended period of time.

Yes, you can convert an Austria Job Seeker Visa into a work permit if you secure a job offer during the 6 months. Once you get a valid job offer in Austria, on a job seeker visa, you can apply for a work permit (Red-White-Red Card) at the nearest official Austrian residence authority (Ausländerbehörde) by submitting proof of your employment contract, along with other requirements, to successfully change your status from a job seeker to an employed skilled worker.

If you do not find a job during the validity of your Austrian job seeker visa, you will be required to leave the country, as the job seeker visa is only issued for 6 months without the possibility of extension or renewal. The Austrian job seeker visa is a temporary stay visa that does not permit long-term employment or residence status. You can, however, reapply for the Austria job seeker visa after you improve and boost your skills, qualifications, and profile.

The main difference between the Austrian Job Seeker Visa and the Red-White-Red Card is that the job seeker visa is issued for only 6 months, allowing you to enter Austria to seek employment. In contrast, the Red-White-Red Card is a residence and work permit granted to highly qualified individuals with a job offer. Eligibility for the job seeker visa is determined through a points-based system, which allows you to convert to a Red-White-Red Card after securing a job offer. The Red-White-Red Card, on the other hand, has a different set of requirements, including a job offer, a minimum salary threshold, and points criteria based on your category (Key Workers, Shortage Occupations, Very Highly Qualified).

Yes, you will need German language skills for the Austria Job Seeker visa. Language proficiency skills are one of the main requirements for the Austria job seeker visa, wherein applicants must prove their German language skills at a minimum A1 level or higher, along with English language proficiency at a B1/B2 level in IELTS or TOEFL. While Austria has English-speaking job roles, having German Language proficiency improves your chances of securing a job in the country.

There are no minimum salary requirements set by Austria after finding a job. Generally, salary requirements vary based on the job role, your qualifications, type of residence permit, age, and whether you meet the collective agreement or minimum wage standards in Austria. Once you get a job offer with a job seeker visa, and convert to a Red-White-Red Card, you must ensure that the job role offered is meeting the minimum gross salary threshold in Austria.

Some of the high-demand professions under the Austria Job Seeker Visa include IT (Software Developers, Cybersecurity Specialists), Healthcare (Nurses, Medical Assistants), Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Renewable Energy Specialists), and jobs in the Construction, Skilled Trades, and Tourism/Hospitality sectors.

Yes, Indian citizens can apply for the Austrian Job Seeker Visa from India at the nearest Austrian embassy or consulate, provided they are highly qualified workers who meet the points-based criteria, including age, educational qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency (in German or English). You must also have sufficient funds to support yourself in Austria, with a clear intent of entering the country only for job search purposes.