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| Field | 🇦🇹AustriaAustria Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers: 2026 Guide |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria (AT) |
| Route | Austria Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers: 2026 Guide |
| Route family | Other |
| Route type | skilled work |
| Summary | 2026 guide to Austria’s Very Highly Qualified Worker Red-White-Red Card and six-month Job Seeker Visa. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-18 |
| Official/supporting source count | 4 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4 |
| Income requirement | The six-month Job Seeker Visa is points-based and does not require a job offer at application. To receive the RWR Card after finding qualifying work, the offer must match the applicant's qualifications and meet the applicable statutory or collective-agreement remuneration; the route page does not set one universal salary amount.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: €218 for the Red-White-Red Card. Any separate Job Seeker Visa, document, translation or related costs are additional and should be checked with the relevant Austrian authority.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Processing time | The official route guidance describes assessment by the residence authority and AMS but does not promise one route-wide decision time. Processing depends on the application, competent authority and completeness of documents.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | The Job Seeker Visa, if granted, is valid for six months. After qualifying employment is obtained, the Red-White-Red Card is generally issued for 24 months and is tied to the specified employer.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Renewal | After employment meeting the RWR Card criteria for at least 21 months in the preceding 24 months, the holder may apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus with broader labour-market access. This requires a separate application and is not automatic renewal.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Eligible family members may apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus as family reunification, subject to relationship, income, accommodation, health insurance and other applicable requirements. Some family members of very highly qualified workers are exempt from the pre-entry German requirement.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Spouse work rights | A spouse does not receive work authorization automatically from the principal applicant's card. If granted a Red-White-Red Card Plus through family reunification, the family member has unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | The RWR Card authorizes settlement and employment by the employer specified in the application. The Job Seeker Visa alone does not authorize taking up employment; an employment permit/card is required before work begins.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Application location | The Job Seeker Visa application is made through the competent Austrian representation abroad. After finding qualifying work, the RWR Card application may be filed by the applicant with the competent authority or by the prospective employer; in-Austria filing depends on lawful entry and stay.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | This is a conditional route toward broader settlement: after at least 21 months of qualifying work in the preceding 24 months, the holder may apply for the RWR Plus; longer-term residence requires separately meeting the applicable residence and integration rules.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Citizenship pathway | The RWR Card does not grant citizenship. Naturalisation requires a separate application, a qualifying period of residence and the general legal requirements, including language and integration conditions; eligibility is assessed individually.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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