Every year, Austria publishes an updated list of professions for which there is a labor shortage. This list paves the way for professionals living outside Austria and trained in those professions to work legally in the country.
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is a photo ID card issued to people who are qualified in the professions on this list. This card provides both a legal work permit and a residence permit in one document.
In the application, vocational training, work experience in this field, age and foreign language skills are scored. Candidates who score at least 55 points are eligible to apply for the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte if they receive a binding job offer from an employer active in the Austrian labor market. However, in order for the application to be accepted, the offered position must be included in the Austrian Government's current labor shortage list.
24 months of legal right to live and work in Austria
Possibility of family reunification
Possibility of extension at the end of the period
Permission to travel or short-stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is not only a residence permit, but also the first step in planning a long-term career in Austria. It offers great advantages to qualified employees in appropriate professions and plays an important role in the transition to family reunification and permanent residence.
