Austria is one of those countries that allows you to relocate without even receiving a job offer or an employment letter. It means you can move to Austria even if you don’t have a job. So, if you are a third-world citizen, that is, you are not a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or the European Union, you will need a resident permit to work in Austria.
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This is because they expect you to stay longer than six months. That is why they have a variety of visas that allow you to work.
Let us look at the various visas that Austria provides to job seekers.
Red White Card
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You need the Red White Card if you are a qualified worker from outside the EU and want to live and work in Austria.
The Red White Card allows you to work and live in Austria for up to 24 months (2 years).
Eligibility for the Red White Card
If you fall into one of the following categories, you are eligible for the red and white card:
- Very Highly Qualified Workers
- Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
- Other Key Workers
- Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education
Self-employed Key Workers
Start-up Founders
These are the individuals who are eligible for the Red White Card. To see if you are eligible, go to https://www.migration.gv.at/
To be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card, applicants must meet the general criteria of being a highly skilled worker (having more than 70 points in the Red-White-Red system), a self-employed skilled worker, or a graduate of an Austrian university.
The EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is a European Union program designed for highly skilled non-EU workers. It is a merit-based system that makes immigration easier for non-EU citizens. Except for Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, all EU member states issue the EU Blue Card. Non-EU citizens who already have the EU Blue Card but work in another member state can obtain a work permit in Austria more easily.
The applicant may apply for the EU Blue Card after receiving a job offer. The EU Blue Card, like the Red-White-Red Card, is linked to a specific job at a specific company.
Individuals can apply for an EU Blue Card if they have:
- Citizenship outside the EU
- higher education or work experience
- employment agreement or binding job offer.
- They will have a gross annual income that is at least one and a half times that of full-time employees.
There must be no equally qualified Austrian or EU candidates available for the job in order to be eligible for an EU Blue Card.
It is important to note that you must have a job in Austria before applying for either the Red White Card Visa or the EU Blue Card. However, to enter Austria without first obtaining a job. You will need a Job Seeker Visa.
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Austria Job Seekers Visa
You can enter Austria and work if you are a highly skilled worker. To do this, you must obtain a job seeker visa. This visa allows you to move to Austria without first finding work and then looking for work once you arrive.
The job seeker visa is granted to highly qualified non-EU citizens who are looking for work in Austria but have not received an offer. To be eligible for the job seeker visa, applicants must score at least 70 points out of a possible 100 points using the points criteria system, which includes:
- Graduation from a higher education institution.
- Qualifications and skills
- Qualifications and skills in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, or technology.
- PhD or postdoctoral training
- Activities involving research and innovation
- Awards
- Working knowledge
- Language abilities
- Age
- Austrian studies
The Jobseeker Visa is valid for six months and allows the holder to legally stay in Austria and look for work. The Jobseeker visa does not grant work authorization. Once the applicant has received a job offer, they must apply for a work permit, such as a Red-White-Red Card.
How to Apply for Austria Job Seeker Visa
Simply apply for your job seeker visa at the Austrian Embassy in your home country.
General Documentation for Austrian Visas
Regardless of the type of visa you wish to apply for, the following are MUST-HAVE documents for any Austria Visa.
- Passport
- Proof of sufficient financial means: Having funds in your account demonstrates that you can cover your living expenses while looking for work in Austria. And it is not much; if you are single, you must have at least 1000 Euros, while couples must have 1700 Euros.
- Evidence of health insurance
- Proof of completion of a minimum three-year course at a university or other educational institution.
- Proof of lodging in Austria: Make certain you have a place to stay.
- Criminal Record Copies
- Declaration of Employment (This does not apply to the Austria Job Seeker Visa)
How to Calculate the Austria migration points
For Highly Skilled Workers
Applicants must score more than 70 points on the MPC for Austria to qualify as highly-skilled workers. Points are assigned based on the applicant’s professional qualifications, work experience, language ability, and salary level.
Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
Applicants must score more than 55 points on the MPC for Austria to be eligible. points are based on skills, certifications, Age, the ability to gain admission into higher institutions, experience and others listed below
The criteria for calculating your MPC points are listed below;
- A four-year degree in a relevant field earns you up to 20 points.
- Working Experience Note 1 year of experience equals 2 points.
- Language: German earns you an extra 10 points, while English earns you 5 points.
- Age: If you are 35 years old, you get 20 points, someone 40 years old gets 15 points, and someone 45 years old gets 10 points.
- If you studied in Austria, you get an extra ten points.
