Route comparison
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| Field | 🇦🇹AustriaAustria Red-White-Red Card for Austrian University Graduates: 2026 Guide |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria (AT) |
| Route | Austria Red-White-Red Card for Austrian University Graduates: 2026 Guide |
| Route family | Other |
| Route type | post study work |
| Summary | Post-study route for eligible third-country graduates of Austrian higher education, with a 12-month search period and no RWR points test. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-18 |
| Official/supporting source count | 2 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employment, Startup founderSource 1Source 2 |
| Income requirement | A qualifying job must match the graduate's qualification and pay at least the locally customary gross minimum for comparable Austrian graduate entrants; there is no fixed national salary threshold.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Savings requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Government fees | Application fee for the RWR Card: €218; any document, translation or related costs are additional.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Processing time | The official graduate route page does not give a universal processing-time guarantee; timing depends on the competent authority and the completeness of the application.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | The graduate RWR Card is generally issued for 24 months and is tied to the specified employer.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Renewal | Following qualifying employment, the graduate may separately apply for RWR Card Plus after meeting the applicable 21-of-24-month employment condition.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Eligible family members may apply for the relevant family residence title, subject to applicable relationship and general residence requirements.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Spouse work rights | A spouse needs a separate residence title; labour-market access depends on the title granted, including RWR Card Plus where eligible.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | The graduate RWR Card authorizes the specified qualifying employment with the named employer; changing employers requires the appropriate authorization.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Application location | After qualifying Austrian study, the Student permit may be renewed once for 12 months to search for work or start a business; a qualifying job offer supports the subsequent RWR Card application.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | RWR Card Plus and long-term residence are separate applications with additional qualifying residence, work and integration requirements; neither is automatic from graduation.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Citizenship pathway | This work route does not grant citizenship. Naturalisation requires a separate application, qualifying residence and general statutory conditions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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