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The residence permit for non-EU students admitted to an Austrian university or recognised institution. It lets you study full time, work up to 20 hours a week (with an employment permit, no labour-market test for that cap), and stay on for up to 12 months after graduating to look for a job or start a business. From there, the Red-White-Red Card for graduates is a natural next step.
Austria does issue the EU-wide Blue Card for highly qualified professionals. You need a degree (or, for IT and managerial roles, three years of comparable experience), a job offer of at least six months, and a salary at or above the Austrian threshold. It runs in parallel to the Red-White-Red Card and, after 21 of 24 months in qualifying work, opens the door to a Red-White-Red Card plus with open labour-market access.
A simpler route for international students who finished a degree in Austria and want to stay and work. Unlike the other Red-White-Red tiers, there is no points test here. You just need a graduate-level job offer paying the locally customary minimum for comparable junior staff. After studying here, it is often the most direct way to move into the Austrian workforce.
The general key-worker tier of the Red-White-Red Card, for roles that are not very-highly-qualified or shortage-listed but still meet a points threshold and a minimum salary. A labour-market test applies: the AMS checks that no equally qualified jobseeker is already available for the role before approving it.
Austria's permanent-residence status for non-EU nationals after five years of continuous lawful residence. Before you apply you must complete Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, which includes a German-language and integration requirement. It grants near-equal treatment with Austrian nationals and the right to move to other EU states under certain conditions.
A dedicated Red-White-Red Card tier for non-EU entrepreneurs who want to build an innovative company in Austria. Eligibility is assessed on a points test that weighs your business plan, education, experience and the capital you bring. It is a distinct category from the self-employed key-worker route.
For self-employed people whose work brings a wider economic benefit to Austria, not just to their own business. You qualify by meeting at least one macroeconomic criterion, such as a substantial capital transfer, creating or securing jobs, bringing new technology or know-how, or being significant for a whole region. Issued for 24 months, with a path to a longer settlement permit afterwards.
Lets the spouse, registered partner and minor children of a settled resident or Austrian citizen join them in Austria. Most adult applicants need basic German (A1) before arriving, and for some categories the number of permits issued each year is capped by quota. Importantly, family of Red-White-Red Card holders, EU Blue Card holders, researchers and Austrian citizens are exempt from that quota.
For trained workers in occupations Austria has officially flagged as short of staff. You need a job offer in a listed shortage occupation and to pass a points test (55 of 90). Both a nationwide and a regional shortage-occupation list apply, so the qualifying jobs change from year to year. The card is normally issued for 24 months.
Austria's flagship route for top-tier talent, scored on a points test. If you reach 70 of 100 points across qualifications, experience, language and age, you can come to find work on a Job Seeker Visa and then switch to this card once you have a matching job offer. It is the premium tier of Austria's Red-White-Red (Rot-Weiss-Rot) Card system.
