Austria is regarded as one of Europe’s best locations to live. This is not stupefying given the city’s cleanliness and safety, as well as its natural beauty, music, and cultural offerings. Austria is also one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, with a strong social economy. Every year, more people wish to relocate to Austria to improve their own and their family’s quality of life.

Austria is one of Europe’s most economically developed nations. As a result, it offers its employees a wide range of options to work and achieve. Great working conditions, benefits, and high salaries entice foreign nationals to relocate to the country for jobs.

However, the majority of workers must have both an Austrian work permit and a visa to do so. The length of a work visa and the terms of employment mobility vary. A Red-White-Red Card is the most prevalent sort of work visa.

Red-White-Red Card visa

A Red-White-Red Card is a work and residency card that allows the holder to stay and work in the United States for up to two years. This sort of visa is only available to highly skilled persons from other nations who seek to work in the United States. The points system is used to determine eligibility for this permit. Personal characteristics such as language skills, professional achievements, age, and work experience are all assessed appropriately inside the system.

If you fall into any of the following categories, you will be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card:

  • Very highly qualified workers.
  • Skilled workers in shortage occupations.
  • Other key workers.
  • Austrian graduates from universities and colleges of higher education.
  • The permit is in the form of a picture card that serves as identification. As a result, it’s critical to maintain it on hand in case you need to establish your residency status.

Required documents for work visa application

You’ll need several additional documentation for a work permit in addition to the normal Austria visa requirements, including:

  1. Statement of the Employer. According to the Act Governing Foreign Nationals’ Employment, your employer is required to present you with a statement (AuslBG).
  2. Proof of Professional Qualifications. These include references and employment verification.
  3. Demonstration of Language Abilities An internationally recognized diploma is required as confirmation of German or English language proficiency.
  4. Research Projects. You must also submit any research publications or declarations from a university or research center where you worked as a researcher.
  5. Registration of a patent. An excerpt from the national/regional patent registry is used to register a patent (if applicable).
  1. Proof of Last Year’s Annual Gross Salary. These include tax statements proving your salary.
  2. Proof of Your Previous Position. You’ll need a letter from your prior job stating that you had a leadership position.
  3. Proof of Your Previous Company’s Status. You must also provide documentation that the company you worked at is listed on the stock exchange.
  4. Proof the Habilitation. 
  5. This is a postdoctoral lecturing credential that certifies you as a qualified researcher or educator in a scientific discipline.
  6. Employment Contract. You must submit a copy of your present employer’s contract in Austria, which details your annual gross pay.

Procedures

There are a few procedures you must do to apply for a Red-White-Red Card.

Step 1: Secure a job in Austria

Before you apply for a work permit, you must have a job lined up in Austria. You will not be able to apply for the Red-White-Red Card visa if you do not have proof of employment (work contract).

Step 2: Apply for the work permit

You are entitled to apply for a work permit once you have been employed in Austria. Your company can apply for the permit on your behalf through their local residence authority, or you can apply yourself through a representative authority in your home country.

Step 3: Apply for a work visa

While an Austrian work permit allows you to work and reside in Austria for an extended period of time, you will need a D visa to enter the country. Before moving to Austria, you must apply for a national D visa.

A national visa allows you to stay in Austria for up to 6 months; however, this visa’s sole purpose is to allow you to enter Austria; after you have your Red-White-Red card, the visa will no longer be required.

Remember that you have three days to register with the registration office after entering Austria.

Step 4: Make your way to Austria.

After obtaining a work visa, you are free to fly to Austria, pick up your work permit, and begin your new life in Austria. You can apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus after two years, allowing you to stay in Austria for another two years.