The Red-White-Red Card is the latest kind of work permit for qualified professionals form outside Europe. This Work Permit is issued for a period of twelve months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by a specified employer. The following persons are eligible for a Red-White-Red 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
Third-country citizen who are to take up employment in undertakings as very high qualified workers, skilled workers or other key workers due to their qualifications, may apply for a Red-White-Red Card valid for twelve months if they fulfil the following requirements:
- The prospective employer will pay the statutory minimum salary:
- for key workers over 30 years of age: € 2,916 (2016) gross monthly pay plus special payments (holiday and Christmas pay),
- for key workers under 30 years of age: € 2,430 (2016) gross monthly pay plus special payments (holiday and Christmas pay)
- No equally qualified person registered as a jobseeker at the Public Employment Service (AMS) can be placed (labour market test/Arbeitsmarktprüfung).
- The key workers reach a minimum of 50 points according to the following list of criteria:
The applicant has to reach enough points according to the point calculator as well. To check if you are eligible, please follow the link on the respective kind of workers on top of this page.
Adequate accommodation according to local standards
The applicant must provide evidence of a legal title to an accommodation (e.g. by providing a lease contract booking confirmation for temporary accommodation etc.), considered adequate for his/her family size according to local standards.
Where to file the application?
Applicants permitted to enter Austria under a visa-free regime do not require a Jobseeker Visa. They may apply for the Red-White-Red Card during their lawful visa-free stay in Austria if they find a job corresponding to their qualifications during this period.
Further, Red-White-Red Card applications for „very highly qualified workers“ can be filed personally with the Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) for the applicant’s country of residence or by the potential employer with the competent residence authority in Austria which can be the Provincial Governor (Landeshauptmann), the authorised Regional Administrative Authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or Local Administrative Authority (Magistrat).
Example “Very highly qualified workers”
A 30 year old Russian informatics graduate, with over 6 years of work experience and very good English language skills, wants to find employment in Austria. She receives 72 points and therefore exceeds the minimum number of points, which is 70 points. 30 points are granted for informatics studies (MINT4 subject) under the special qualifications and skills criteria. Furthermore, she is given 12 points for work experience, 10 points for language skills (English A2) and 20 points for her age. She can apply for a “Jobseeker Visa” which permits her to enter Austria and gives her 6 months to find a suitable job. She can apply for the Red-White-Red Card if there is a job offer that matches her qualifications.
Red-White-Red work permit Austria – Need a QUICK CHECK?
The website www.migration.gv.at provides a points calculator for applications for the Red-White-Red Card. Here you can check if you reach the minimum amount of points and if you are eligible to apply for a Red-White-Red Card.
As there are plenty of options and conditions a person can represent within the labor market, it is recommended to check out thorroughly which one of these numerous options you meet. If you need help, please feel free to contact us under +49 (0)541 670 65 96 or write uns an email to office@moves-consulting.com. We will be happy to support you.
Need more help?
Jobseekers who register for our Jobseeker Program will receive all information with regard to Jobseeker Permits and Jobsearch www.jobseekerprogram.com
In case you prefer a more individual support for your jobsearch or career development find this service here:
http://www.moves-consulting.com/design-my-career/ our one-on-one career coaching for international professionals