What is an Austria Job Seeker Visa?
Austria is an economically thriving country in Europe. It is one of the oldest nations in the world and is home to a large number of immigrants coming in from different countries. Austria is a member of the European Union and its national language is German.
For those who are looking forward to working and settling in this beautiful country, the Austrian Job Seeker Visa is your pass. This visa permits you to enter Austria and search for employment within a period of 6 months, under the Red-White-Red Card Scheme.
Please note that the Austrian Job Seeker visa allows only ‘Very Highly Qualified Workers’ to enter its country. After gaining employment you may convert the visa to a Red-White-Red (RWR) card.
- A Job Seeker Visa allows you to stay in Austria for 6 months while you search for employment
- A Very Highly Skilled Individual is eligible to apply for a job seeker visa
- Only those who achieve 70 points or higher in the points system will get a job seeker visa
Eligibility Criteria for Job Seeker Visa
As a Highly Qualified Worker you may enter Austria through 2 ways:
- Through a Job Seeker Visa to search for work
- Applying for a Red-White-Red Card provided you have a job offer from an Austrian employer
Earning a minimum of 70 points out of 100 on the Points Calculator is an essential eligibility criterion in both the cases
Austrian Points Calculator
| Eligibility criteria for very highly qualified persons | Points |
|---|---|
| Age | Maximum allowable points: 20 |
| Up to 35 years of age | 20 |
| Up to 40 years of age | 15 |
| Up to 45 years of age | 10 |
| Special qualifications and skills | Maximum allowable points: 40 |
| Graduation from an institution of higher education, minimum duration of programme: four years | 20 |
| In the subjects mathematics, informatics, natural sciences or technology (MINT subjects) | 30 |
| Post-doctoral qualification (Habilitation) or PhD | 40 |
| Gross salary of the previous year earned in a senior management position with a company listed on the stock exchange or a company for which the Austrian foreign trade office in charge issued a positive report about its activities or business segment: | |
| €50,000 to 60,000 | 20 |
| €60,000 to 70,000 | 25 |
| More than €70,000 | 30 |
| Research and innovation activities (Patent applications, publications) | 20 |
| Awards (recognised prizes) | 20 |
| Work experience (adequately reflecting applicant’s qualification or senior management position) | Maximum allowable points: 20 |
| Work experience (per year) | 2 |
| Six months of work experience in Austria | 10 |
| Language skills | Maximum allowable points: 10 |
| German or English language skills for the elementary use of the language on a basic level – (A1 level) | 5 |
| German or English language skills for the intensified elementary use of the language – (A2 level) | 10 |
| Studies in Austria | Maximum allowable points: 10 |
| Second part of diploma programme (Diplomstudium) or half of the required total ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) points | 5 |
| Completed diploma programme (Diplomstudium) or Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme | 10 |
| Sum total of maximum allowable points: | 100 |
| Required minimum: | 70 |
Documents Required for Austria Job Seeker Visa
To apply for the Job Seeker Visa, you have to submit the following documents:
- A Valid Passport (Travel document – 1st, last and all visa stamped pages)
- Birth certificate
- Passport size photo (45x35mm, should not be older than six months)
- Local Residence Proof ( lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence)
- Proof of Health Insurance covering all risks for 6 months (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)
- Proof of funds minimum 4-5 lakhs per person (Bank Statement for 6 months, insurance benefit certificates, evidence of retirement or other pension or insurance benefits, investment capital or sufficient own assets)
- Proof of accommodation (Need to book Hotel/Hostel for 6 months)
You also need to submit the following documents for examination of the individual under the points system criteria.
1. Special Qualifications and Skills
a) Graduation
- Convocation (proof of successful completion of a four-year programme at a university or another institution of tertiary education)
- Document reflecting the status of the university or other institution of tertiary education
- Must be studied in a programme in a MINT subject (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology)
- Document furnishing proof of Habilitation
b) Gross Annual Salary in a Senior Management Position
- Tax assessment notice or pay certificate
- Confirmation by the previous employer that you worked in a senior management position
- Proof that the company is listed on the stock exchange or positive report from the competent Austrian foreign trade office about its activities or business segment
c) Research and Innovation Activities
- Proof of scientific publications, stating titles and sources
- Certificate issued by a university or research institution that you worked in R&D or academic scientific teaching
- Proof of patent application(s) through extracts from national or regional patent registers
d) Recognized Awards and Prizes
- Document proving the conferral of the award or prize
2. Work Experience
- Offer / Appointment Letters
- Relieving / Experience Certificates
- Pay Slips / Salary Slips
- Referral Letters
3. Language Skills
- Language diploma or language course certificate at the A1 or A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- IELTS – 6 or above in each band
4. Studies in Austria
- Course record book and related examination certificates
- Document reflecting the successful completion of a programme of studies in Austria
Please Note
- You have to submit originals and copies of the above-mentioned documents
- Documents must be translated into English or German in case the documents are in regional language
- The Austrian authorities will examine documents and send them to the AMS for assessment and awarding of points
- You will have to submit notary documents upon request from Austrian authorities
Job Seeker Visa Application Process
- Once you have collected all the required documents you need to book a slot at VFS
- The application must be filed in person at the Austrian Embassy/Consulate on the scheduled appointment day, with all supporting documents
- You will receive a Job Seeker Visa once Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice - AMS) confirms to the Austrian representative authority that you have reached the points required for admission
- You may apply for Red-White-Red Card once you receive an employment offer from Austria
Costs Involved in the Job Seeker Visa
- You have to submit originals and copies of the above-mentioned documents
- Documents must be translated into English or German in case the documents are in regional language
- The Austrian authorities will examine documents and send them to the AMS for assessment and awarding of points
- You will have to submit notary documents upon request from Austrian authorities
Job Seeker Visa Application Process
- Once you have collected all the required documents you need to book a slot at VFS
- The application must be filed in person at the Austrian Embassy/Consulate on the scheduled appointment day, with all supporting documents
- You will receive a Job Seeker Visa once Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice - AMS) confirms to the Austrian representative authority that you have reached the points required for admission
- You may apply for Red-White-Red Card once you receive an employment offer from Austria
Costs Involved in the Job Seeker Visa
Job Seeker Visa Fee: € 150
FAQs
If a worker achieves 70 out of 100 points on a list of criteria, they are considered highly qualified (based on the points system). The "Very Highly Qualified Workers" Red-White-Red Card category aims to recruit highly qualified and experienced top-level individuals, such as scientists and senior-level top-managers.
If you are a very highly qualified worker who has been searching for work in Austria, you may apply for a six-month residence visa to help you find work (Job Seeker Visa). You can apply for the Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers if you locate a job that matches your qualifications throughout the validity period of your visa.
The Job Seeker Visa for Very Highly Qualified Workers application must be submitted to the Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) abroad.
The Red-White-Red Card is a combination of a residence permit and an employment permit that is issued in the shape of a bank card. It is valid for two years and entitles the holder to a specific employer's settlement and employment. You must apply for a new Red-White-Red Card if you change jobs within the first two years.
The European Union Blue Card is a mix of a residence permit and an employment permit that is issued in the shape of a bank card. You have the right to temporary settlement and work with a specific employer if you have an EU Blue Card. It comes with a two-year validity period. If you've had an EU Blue Card for two years, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus if you've worked in a job that matches your qualifications for at least 21 months in the previous 24 months.
The Red-White-Red Card Plus is issued in the shape of a bank card and entitles its holder to settlement and unrestricted employment. If you are the holder of a Red-White-Red Card plus, you may change your employer at any time without having to apply for a new permit. If you are the holder of a Red-White-Red Card for two years, you may apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus, provided you were employed in accordance with the eligibility requirements for a minimum of 21 months during the previous 24 months. Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders and of holders of an EU Blue Card may apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus right away.
You have two options as a Highly Qualified Worker from a third country You can either enter Austria on a Job Seeker Visa to look for a job If you have received a Job offer, you may apply for a Red-White-Red card with the competent Austrian authority in your home country or your country of residency
If you receive an employment offer during the validity period of the Job Seeker Visa, you can apply for a Red-White-Red card at the competent residence authority in Austria.
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