Austrian job seeker visa requirements and eligibility  

Austria is one of the thriving economies in the European Union and has a notable history of being a major European imperial power for centuries. The historical affinities and geographical positioning of the country on the European continent made Austria a safe haven for refugees and other immigrants during the Cold War. Austria has always adopted generous policies for admitting emigrants from other countries. Owing to the country’s decades of post-war neutrality, several international organizations such as the United Nations, OPEC, OSEC, etc. have made Vienna, the Austrian capital city, their home. 

Austria is one of the economies in the world with the highest standards of living, ranking highly in per capita gross domestic product. Being the main trading partner, Germany shares close ties with the Austrian economy. The major economic sectors include services, industry, and agriculture, and the major industrial branches are:

1. Food industries. 
2. Machine and steel industries
3. Chemical and automobile industries
4. Electric and electronic industries
5. Wood and paper industries

Since German is the official language of Austria, it’s an important prerequisite to engage in Austrian economic and socio-political life. English is taught as the first foreign language in schools along with other major spoken languages in the country such as Croatian, Slovenian, and Hungarian. 

Job Seeker Visa (Category D)

It is the criteria based visa  that’s given to third country nationals i.e., non EU citizens, who wish to relocate to Austria for employment opportunities. It allows ‘very highly qualified workers’ to enter the country and gives them six months to secure a job.  After obtaining a job offer from an Austrian employer,  the visa holder will get a Red-White-Red card, the work permit that allows the third country nationals to work and stay in the country. 

Eligibility for Job seeker Visa:

Only those applicants who fall under the criteria of ‘very highly qualified workers’ and receive at least 70 points on the profile evaluation will be eligible for the Austrian job seeker visa. 

The point based profile evaluation for the Austrian job seeker visa calculates an individual’s eligibility using the following list of criteria. 

Documents Required For Job Seeker Visa:

1. Valid travel document (e.g Passport)
2. Birth certificate
3. Passport size photo (45 x35mm) which is not older than six months
4. Proof of local residence such as lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence
5. Proof of health insurance covering all the risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)
6. Proof of adequate funds -At least 4-5 lakhs per person (Bank statement for six months, insurance benefit certificates, evidence of retirement or other pension or insurance benefits, investment capital or sufficient own assets)

For the point based evaluation for Austrian job seeker visa, one must submit the following documents. 

A. Special qualifications and skills:

1. Convocation certificate (Proof of successful completion of a four year programme from a university or another institution of tertiary education)
2. Documents proving the status of the university or other institution of tertiary education. 
3. The proof of successful completion of a degree programme in Mathematics, informatics, natural science or technology, such as degree certificate and transcripts
4. Proof of habilitation 

B. Gross annual income in a senior management position:

1. Tax assessment notice or pay certificate
2. Affirmative proof from the previous employer that you worked in a senior management position. 
3. Proof of the company’s listing on the stock exchange or a positive report of the competent  foreign trade office in Austria.

C. Research and innovation activities:

1. Proof of scientific publications with titles and sources
2. A work experience certificate from a university or research institution indicating that you worked in R&D or academic scientific teaching. 
3. Proof of patent applications 

D. Recognized awards and prizes:

Documents proving the conferral of the award or prize.

E. Work Experience:

Testimonials and work certificates such as pay slips, offer letters, relieving letters, experience letters. 

F. Language skills:

1. A1 or A2 level language diploma or language course certificate based on the common European framework of reference for languages. 
2. English proficiency test results such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, TELC, Cambridge certificate

G. Studies in Austria:

1. Course record book and related examination certificates
2. Proof of successful completion of a study programme in Austria

Things to be aware of :

• You  have to submit the originals and copies of the above mentioned documents.
•  If the documents are not in English or German, they must be translated into either language.
• The Austrian authorities will examine the documents and send them over to AMS for further evaluation and awarding of points. 
• Upon request from Austrian authorities, you have to submit the notarized certificates. 

Where do I Submit the job Seeker Visa Application ?

The application process for an Austrian job seeker Visa in India is handled by the Austrian Embassy and their official partner, VFS global. 

Job seeker visa application process:

1. When you are ready to apply for the visa with all the required documents, download the application form either from the Embassy website or VFS global website. 
2. After collecting all the required documents, go to the VFS global website and book a slot for an appointment at the local VFS visa application centre. 
3. At the selected visa application centre, the biometric information (fingerprints and photos) collection will take place.
4. Pay the fees at the VFS application centre. 
5. Submit the fully filled application along with the supporting documents at the Austrian embassy in New Delhi in person or through a representative or an authorised travel agent, since the embassy doesn’t accept applications via post.  
6. You will receive a job seeker visa from Public employment service (AMS) once they evaluate your profile and award the points. 

 Fee for the job seeker’s visa: €150 for adults. 

Job seeker visa will allow the holder to officially enter Austria and look for job opportunities. However, in order to work in Austria, you need a Red-White-Red card.

Red-White-Red Card 

The Austrian government offers a ‘Red-White-Red card’ to third country nationals, those who are not EEA citizens or Swiss nationals,  to work in Austria under a concrete employment offer. The pay offered must be matching your qualifications. Once the qualifications are met, AMS will issue the Red-White-Red card to the applicant. The RWR card allows the holder to enjoy the fixed-term settlement and employment by the Austrian employer. The RWR card is issued for a period of 24 months. 

You are eligible for a Red-White-Red card if you belong to one of the following:

1. Very highly qualified worker 
2. Skilled workers in shortage occupations (e.g. specialists and engineers in power engineering and agricultural machinery, etc)
3. Other key workers
4. Graduates from Austrian universities or institutions of higher education. 
5. Regular workers in tourism, agriculture and forestry
6. Self employed key workers
7. Startup founders. 

Fees for the Red-White-Red card

Application: €120

Granting: €20

Costs of biometric collection:€ 20

EU blue card

The European Union blue card is a combination of residence permit and work permit for a third country citizen to work  in Austria for a temporary period or under a specific employer. It allows the applicant to stay in the country for 2 years. The holder can apply for the Red-White-Red card plus after completion of the validity period, after submitting the proof that the holder worked at least 21 months in the validity period in a job that matches the holder’s qualifications. 

Third country nationals who meet the following conditions are eligible to apply for a EU blue card:

1. Completed a study programme from a university or an institution of higher education with a duration of at least three years. 
2. Received a binding job offer from an Austrian employer matching your qualifications for at least six months. 
3. Must earn no less than the average gross annual income of full time employees. 
4. Labor market test results showing that there are no equally qualified applicants registered for the same job with AMS. 

Fees for EU blue card

Application: €120

Granting: €20

Costs of biometric collection:€ 20

Red-White-Red Card plus

If you are a RWR card or EU blue card holder for 2 years, you can apply for Red-White-Red card plus if you were employed for at least 21 months in the last 24 months in a job that matches your qualifications. Red-White-Red card plus provides a fixed term of settlement in Austria and unlimited access to the Austrian labour market to a third country national. Family members of RWR card or EU blue card holders can obtain RWR card plus right away. The Red-White-Red Card plus is valid for 1 year and you can extend it to 3 years if the holder has been lawfully settled in Austria for 2 years and meets the eligibility criteria. 

Fees for the Red-White-Red card plus

Application: € 120

Granting: € 20

Costs of biometric collection: € 20