Austria Jobseeker Visa is an opportunity for the people who want to live and work in Austria with Job Seeking Visa. Actually, it is a rule of Austrian government to issue visa for the individuals who want to live and work in this country. In order to get valid and acknowledge Austria Jobseeker Visa, you should finish your job seeker application procedure at right time and with due course.Austria is one of the best European countries to live in and work since you can get a job seeker visa easily. You can stay in Austria on a temporary resident permit during the time you are looking for employment.
Austria has a population of nearly 8 million. It is the home to famous companies such as Red Bull, Scania and Logitech. Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities where you can have a great time. A large number of foreigners visit Austria every year for various reasons.
How Can I Get Job Seeker Visa In Austria
Work Permits and Employment-Based Visas
Work permit and employment visas in Austria come in several different forms and cater to professionals in a range of situations. Some of the main work permits non-EU citizens may need in Austria are the “restricted work permit” (valid for one year), the standard “work permit” (valid for two years), and the “unrestricted work permit” (valid for five years).
Austria Work Visa Requirements
Third-country nationals planning to work in Austria can apply for a Red-White-Red Card. The application fee, including the work permit visa application form, should not cost more than 150 EUR/166 USD (2019). The card has a duration of 24 months and allows you to live in Austria. During this time, you can only work for the employer specified in your application.
Who is Considered For The Red-White-Red Card?
- Very Highly Qualified Workers
- Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
- Start-Up Founders
- Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education
- Self-Employed Key Workers
- Other Key Workers
Very Highly Qualified Workers
If your skills are worth 70 points from Austria’s eligibility criteria, you can move to Austria on a six-month residence visa in order to find a job there. You will specifically be eligible for the Job Seeker Visa. The criteria is divided into special qualifications and skills, work experience, language skills, age, and studies in Austria.
Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
To get a Red-White-Red Card as a Skilled Worker in a Shortage Occupation, you need 55 points, which can be gained through qualifications, work experience matching your qualifications, German language skills, English language skills, and if you are below 40 years of age.
Skilled workers in shortage occupations may file their application for a Red-White-Red Card plus after their arrival in Austria.
Start-Up Founders
To apply for a Red-White-Red Card as a third-country national, you must:
- Have a company which will develop and launch innovative products, services, processing methods or technology in Austria.
- Submit a business plan regarding you company.
- Have controlling influence over the management of the new company.
- Show evidence you have at least 50,000 EUR (55,300 USD) in funds for the new company and an equity share of at least 50%.
- Score 50 points from the eligible criteria, which include qualifications, relevant work experience, and language skills. You can earn bonus points with evidence of additional investment of at least 50,000 EUR (55,300 USD). You can also earn points by being part of a business incubator or receiving money from an Austrian start-up funding agency. Being younger than 35 years of age will also get you points.
Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education
If you have completed your studies and any relevant training, you can renew your “Students” residence permit for twelve more months to help you find a job or start a business. You may do this as long as you fulfil certain requirements, such as having adequate means of subsistence.
Self-Employed Key Workers
You can get a Red-White-Red Card as a Self-Employed Key Worker if your self-employed role in Austria helps to create macroeconomic benefits above your initial operational benefit. The points system is not relevant here. To prove these benefits, one of the following must be true:
- You will invest at least 100,000 EUR (110,715) in the Austrian economy.
- Your activity creates or maintains jobs in Austria.
- You will introduce knowhow and new technologies.
- Your business activity is important for the entire region.
Other Key Workers
If you are moving to Austria because you have been offered a role at a company where you will be a key worker, you could be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card. However, if you are under 30 years old, you need to earn at least 2,610 EUR (2,890 USD) per month (gross) and if you are over 30, you must earn at least 3,132 EUR (3,470 USD) per month (gross).
Austrian Work Visa Application Costs
To submit the Austrian Red-White-Red Card (work permit visa) application form, it costs 120 EUR (132 USD). You will also be required to pay for the granting and personalization of the card. There are further costs if you are applying as a very highly-qualified worker. See all the relevant costs detailed below.
Very Highly Qualified Workers
- Job Seeker Visa: 150 EUR (166 USD)
- Red-White-Red Card:
- Application: 120 EUR (132 USD)
- Granting: 20 EUR (22 USD)
- Personalization: 20 EUR (22 USD)
Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
- Application: 120 EUR (132 USD)
- Granting: 20 EUR (22 USD)
- Personalization: 20 EUR (22 USD)
Start-Up Founders
- Application: 120 EUR (132 USD)
- Granting: 20 EUR (22 USD)
- Personalization: 20 EUR (22 USD)
Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education
- Application: 120 EUR (132 USD)
- Granting: 20 EUR (22 USD)
- Personalization: 20 EUR (22 USD)
Self-Employed Key Workers
- Application: 120 EUR (132 USD)
- Granting: 20 EUR (22 USD)
- Personalization: 20 EUR (22 USD)
Other Key Workers
- Application: 120 EUR (132 USD)
- Granting: 20 EUR (22 USD)
- Personalization: 20 EUR (22 USD)
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is an alternative to the Red-White-Red Card. It is 120 EUR (133 USD) to apply, 20 EUR (22 USD) when it is granted, and 20 EUR (22 USD) to personalize. This includes your fingerprints, a scan of your photos, and signature. It allows you
- equal work rights to Austrian citizens;
- free movement inside the EU;
- social rights, e.g. unemployment benefits;
- better conditions for family reunification;
- permanent residency rights.
Business Visa
If you plan to visit Austria to perform business activities for less than six months, you can apply for a visa for business purposes.
If your country has an agreement with Austria, as is the case with the United States, and you just want to visit for up to 90 days, you will not need a visa to do this.
Otherwise, if your country does not have a special agreement with Austria, you can apply for a visa for 90 days (called a C-type visa) or for between 91 and 180 days (called a D-type visa). These visas cannot be renewed or extended in Austria.
If you are from one of these countries, you will not need a visa to enter Austria or the Schengen Area.
Family Visas
Family members who qualify as “family” include:
- Spouses
- Registered partners
- Underage, unmarried children
Red-White-Red Card Plus
Austria’s Red-White-Red Card helps qualified workers from third countries bring their families to Austria to live with them. Qualified workers in Austria who have a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card can bring their family members on a “Red-White-Red Card plus.”
Spouses and children of EU and EFTA citizens may enter Austria under the Visa Waiver Program. They can file their application for a Red-White-Red Card Plus after their arrival in Austria.
Self-Employment Visas
If you want to get a self-employment visa to start working for yourself in Austria, your task will be made simpler if you can meet the requirements to be a “Self-Employed Key Worker” or a “Start-Up Founder.” If you do not qualify in one of these categories, your best option may be to find a job in Austria and build your own business in your spare time. Ultimately, the easiest way to start working as a self-employed person in Austria is to get one of the various Red-White-Red Card visas.
Moreover, if you can qualify as a “Very Highly Qualified Worker,” you can get a Jobseeker Visa which allows you to live in Austria for six months before you find a job – these six months can be enough for you to earn points to qualify as a Start-Up Founder or a Self-Employed Key Worker.
Austria Self-Employment Visas: Requirements and Costs
To get a work permit to be self-employed in Austria, it will cost at most 150 EUR/166 USD. You can get a Red-White-Red Card that allows you to live and work in Austria for 24 months, if you fit into certain self-employment categories, such as:
- Start-Up Founders
- Self-Employed Key Workers
You could alternatively apply as a Very Highly Qualified Worker, which would allow you to live in Austria for six months while you start your business.
Application Forms and Processes
The following are the processes, required documents, and application forms for Self-employed Key Workers, Start-Up Founders, and Very Highly Qualified Workers.
Self-Employed Key Worker
To qualify for a Self-Employed Key Worker visa, you must submit the following documents:
- Valid travel document (passport)
- Birth certificate or equivalent document acknowledged by the Austrian government
- Photograph (45x35mm) taken within the last six months
- Proof you have accommodation in Austria, e.g. lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights, or ownership evidence
- Proof you have health insurance that will cover you in Austria against all risks
- Evidence of means of supporting yourself, e.g. payslips, pay certificates, employment contracts, insurance benefit certificates, retirement or other pension or insurance benefits, investment capital, or other significant assets
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. Austrian authorities have the right to demand additional documents on a case-by-case basis. Do not be surprised or offended if you are asked for your criminal record. In fact, submitting this document, or an equivalent denoting your good standing, could make the process go smoother.
Demonstrating Your Business’ Macroeconomic Benefits
If you believe your business activity will bring macroeconomic benefits going beyond your company’s operational gains, you should also submit
- documents demonstrating an analysis of the market and competition, its headquarters’ location, and a detailed business plan;
- proof of the transfer of capital to Austria and the intention to create new jobs or protect existing jobs in Austria;
- proof you have the qualifications necessary for the business activity proposed, and
- in some cases, company agreements and/or craft authorizations (Gewerbeberechtigungen)
Please note that you will need to submit originals and copies of all documents and certificates. These should be in either German or English. You can find the application form here.
Start-Up Founder
To qualify as a start-up founder, you must submit the following:
- passport
- birth certificate (or equivalent document acknowledged by the Austrian government)
- photograph (45x35mm) taken within the last six months
- proof you have accommodation in Austria
- proof you have health insurance which covers you in Austria against all risks
- evidence of means of supporting yourself
- proof of completed vocational education or training, i.e. a relevant certificate or diploma
- testimonial or training report and work certificate toevidence extraordinary know-how or skills