If you are wondering how I can get a job seeker visa in Austria, you’ve come to the right place. As a highly-skilled professional and a third-country national, you may be eligible to apply for a six-month residence permit for your job search, known as a Job Seeker visa. All you need is to reach a minimum of 70 points as part of the eligibility requirements. If you land a job during the validity period of the visa, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the designated Austrian representation.
Reaching a minimum of 70 points according to the following list of criteria is crucial in both cases:
Eligibility criteria for very highly qualified persons | Points | Country |
Special qualifications and skills | Maximum points: 40 | allowable |
Graduation from an institution of higher education, the minimum duration of the program: four years | 20 | |
in the subjects of 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 – €60,000 to 70,000 – More than €70,000 |
20 |
|
Research and innovation activities (Patent applications, publications) |
20 | |
Awards (recognized prizes) | 20 | |
Work experience (adequately reflecting applicant’s qualification or senior management position) | Maximum points: 20 | allowable |
Work experience (per year) Six months of work experience in Austria |
2 10 |
|
Language skills | Maximum points: 10 | allowable |
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 | |
Age | Maximum points: 20 | allowable |
Up to 35 years of age Up to 40 years of age Up to 45 years of age |
20 15 10 |
|
Studies in Austria | Maximum points: 10 | allowable |
The second part of the diploma program (Diplomstudium) or half of the required total ECTS points | 5 | |
Completed diploma program (Diplomstudium) or Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program |
10 | |
The total of maximum allowable points: | 100 | |
Required minimum: | 70 |
Applying for the job seeker visa
You must apply for the Austria job seeker visa, which is also known as Category D, at the competent Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice – AMS) will apprise the Austrian embassy that the applicant satisfies the 70-point criteria necessary for the job seeker visa.
You have received a job offer in Austria, what to do next?
If you succeed in getting a valid job offer during your stay in Austria, you may apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the competent residence authority in Austria.
You can submit an application personally for the Red-White-Red Card under “Very Highly Qualified Workers” with the competent Austrian representation authority or embassy in your country. Your Austrian employer will lodge an official visa application on your behalf with the competent residence authority in Austria. Your potential employer’s declaration along with all required documents demonstrating your role and duties for the job offered must be submitted with the application.
What documents do I need to apply for an Austria Job Seeker Visa?
To apply for the Job Seeker Visa, you have to submit the following documents:
You have to submit the following documents as part of the points system:
Graduation:
Gross annual salary in a senior management position:
Research and innovation activities:
Recognized awards and prizes:
Work experience:
Language skills
Austria Job Seeker Visa Processing Time
It generally takes around three to five months for the Austrian regional settlement authority to process a job seeker visa application. So, it may take up to eight weeks to get your decision. But for the Red-Card-White-Card, you must have a valid job offer that aligns with your educational background and should pay you well.
Are you interested in moving to Austria Call us to set your migration plans in motion. Just dial 8595338595 or send us an email at [email protected] to kick-start your process.