The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is a photo ID card that is issued to third-country national professionals in order to fill the shortage of qualified labor in certain professions in Austria. This card provides both a legal work permit and a residence permit in one document.
In order to apply for a Rot-Weiss-Rot – Karte, both the legal eligibility and professional qualification criteria must be met in full. All of the following requirements must be met in order to apply:
Legal Compliance Requirements:
Professional and Technical Compliance Requirements:
All third-country nationals who meet these requirements are eligible to apply for a Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte. The candidate’s professional background, documents and the validity of the job offer are carefully examined by the Austrian authorities. If any criteria are missing, the application process cannot be started.
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is not only a temporary work permit in Austria, but also opens the door to more permanent rights. The main advantages are the following:
Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte applications are usually finalized within 2 to 2.5 months, provided that all required documents are submitted completely and correctly.
But this period;
may vary depending on factors such as the time of submission. It is of utmost importance that the documents are submitted on time, in full and in the correct format in order not to disrupt the application process.
Yes, residence permits for Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte holders can be revoked in certain circumstances. The main situations that can lead to the revocation of a residence permit are:
Failure to Receive New Job Proposal or Initiate Job Change Process:
If your employment contract expires and you are not offered a new job, your residence permit may expire if you do not start the application process. Likewise, in case of dismissal, if you do not find and apply for a new job within 3 months, your residence permit may be canceled.
Dismissal by the Employer or Dispute between the Parties:
If the employer dismisses the employee and the employee does not look for a new job or contact the new employer, the residence permit is no longer valid. This also affects the rules on changing the place of work.
Failure to Comply with Legal Requirements:
If the job offer you apply for does not fulfill the legal requirements, e.g. if the qualification requirements for the occupational field are not met, your residence permit may be revoked. In this case, the holder of the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is expected to obtain a valid job offer and apply in accordance with the relevant rules.
Providing False Information or Making Misleading Statements:
The residence permit may be canceled if the information provided during the application is misleading, forgery of documents or false statements. Violation of legal regulations may affect the validity of the residence permit.
Failure to Apply for a Residence Permit Extension:
When the residence permit expires, the permit will expire unless an application for an extension is submitted. Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte holders must apply for an extension before the residence permit expires.
Problems with the State or Violations of the Law:
A residence permit can also be revoked in case of violations of Austrian law, criminal offenses or non-compliance with legal regulations.
Important Note: In case your residence permit is revoked, it is advisable to seek counseling or legal assistance in order to exercise your legal rights. By applying on time, you can ensure that your permit does not expire.
Daueraufenthalt – EU (Permanent Residence Permit – EU Status) is a permanent residence permit granted to persons who have lived and worked in Austria legally and continuously for a certain period of time. It is the most advanced residence permit after the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus and is unlimited in many ways.
Rights and Benefits:
Who Can Apply?
The following conditions are required for application:
Documents and Application Process
The Daueraufenthalt – EU is the official sign of settlement and permanence in Austria. It is the highest status in terms of security of residence and freedom of work and life.
Yes, Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte holders can change their workplace even if they have not completed 21 months of employment. However, this can only be done within certain rules and with the approval of the competent authority.
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is issued on the basis of the binding employment contract submitted in the initial application. If the employment contract expires during the validity of the card – for example, if the employer dismisses the employee, the parties cannot agree or the employee leaves voluntarily – a new binding employment offer from another employer in the same occupational field can be reapplied on the basis of this new contract.
To apply for a change of workplace;
If you are made redundant, you have a maximum of 3 months to find a new job and start the application process. Within this period, you must receive a new job offer and submit your application. The 3-month period to apply after a dismissal is critical for the validity of your existing residence permit.
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus is a residence card that can be applied for at the end of the initial 24-month Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte period, if certain conditions are met. This card offers its holders the following important advantages:
Employer Independence (Arbeitgeberunabhängigkeit)
The holder of the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus no longer has to depend exclusively on a particular employer.
So:
Professional Independence (Berufsunabhängigkeit)
Not only the employer but also the professional field you will work in is free.
I mean:
Also Applicable for Family Members
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus can also be issued to spouses and children in the context of family reunification. Family members who receive this card can also participate in the labor force without work permit restrictions.
Application Requirements:
In order to apply for the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus:
such conditions are sought.
The Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus entitles you to more flexible and permanent living and working in Austria. It gives you the freedom to change jobs or professions and is an important step for long-term settlement plans
3 years: If Integration Module 1 is completed
1 year: If Integration Module 1 has not yet been completed
Integration Module 1 is part of the integration process into life in Austria. It includes the following requirements:
For detailed information www.integrationsfonds.at visit the website.
Yes, the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte not only provides individual work and residence rights, but also a system that supports family unity. Individuals holding this card can apply for family reunification for their spouse and children if they meet certain conditions.
The application for family reunification can be submitted at the same time as the application for the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte or, if the applicant prefers, after the card has been issued. In both cases, however, additional criteria such as separate documents for each family member, income level and adequacy of accommodation must be met.
Family members who come to Austria as part of family reunification enter the country with a Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte Plus. This special residence permit not only grants a right of residence, but also full access to the labor market.
Family Reunification is a type of visa that can be used by people who have an immediate family member living in Austria.
Those who wish to benefit from Family Reunification must have an income that does not require social support during their stay in Austria, and provide a lease or title deed for a dwelling of a suitable size for all family members.
Who Can Benefit?
The list of occupations with a labor shortage is an official list published by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics and covers areas where there is a high demand for skilled labor throughout the country. The list is updated every year and is based on the dynamics of the Austrian labor market in that year.
List of occupations with labor shortages;
The 2025 list includes many occupations that are relevant across the country and in some states.
On this list;
in Austria. This offers employment opportunities in Austria for both university graduates and individuals with technical/vocational training.
You can access the current full list and details of professions with labor shortages from the links below.
The vocational training certificate is an official document proving that the applicant has received formal and systematic training in the relevant professional field for at least 2 years. In the case of the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte application, this document is the main proof of the applicant’s professional competence.
Article Journeyman Certificate
Vocational High School Diploma
Associate Degree & Bachelor’s Diplomas
Yes. A transcript must be submitted with each certificate of vocational training submitted.
The transcript must contain the following information:
A document without a transcript is considered incomplete and is not included in the scoring.
In some professions (especially in health, education and technical fields, etc.) the “nostrification” (equivalence) process may be mandatory. Before applying, it should be checked whether the relevant profession requires nostrification.
Professional experience is calculated according to the work experience gained since the date of issuance of the vocational training certificate. This assessment is made through the candidate’s SSI Service Transcript and only the periods worked in occupational codes compatible with the vocational training certificate are taken into account.
Things to Watch Out For:
A Certificate of Employment is an official document that shows the position, the length of time and the dates between which the candidate has worked at a workplace. This document is submitted to verify professional experience in the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte application.
Working Document Content:
The work certificates must be from the post-vocational training period and cover the same occupational field as the training certificate presented.
Documenting uninsured (unregistered) work is a highly sensitive and careful process, as it is difficult to prove such experiences that are not recorded in official systems. However, it is possible to indirectly document such work in some ways. Below are some of the methods you can use in this regard:
One of the most powerful ways is for the employer to provide a signed and, if possible, stamped reference letter confirming that you have worked. This document should include
such information should be included.
Note: Official employer letterhead (if applicable), contact details and signature make the document stronger.
Written statements from people you worked with (e.g. masters, teammates) that you worked there can also be used as evidence.
Documents in German or English that contain the contact details of the witness are considered more valid.
It’s about where you work or what you do:
Digital traces, such as digital traces, can also be submitted as supporting documentation.
If you are paid through a bank, transfers or regular payment records with the employer’s name in the description may indirectly indicate an employment relationship.
Where you work:
The applicant institution (e.g. an immigration office, consulate or competent authority) has discretion to decide to what extent it will take these documents into account. Unofficial documents alone may not be considered sufficient, but presenting a strong and coherent dossier increases persuasiveness.
In order to apply for a Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte, a binding employment agreement (Angebot) from an Austrian employer must be submitted. This is a formal commitment by the employer to employ the applicant for a specific position.
The elements that must be included in a binding labor agreement are:
The offer should not be merely a statement of intent; it should be a formal document certifying the employer’s readiness to actually employ the applicant. The Austrian authorities examine this offer in detail at the time of application and make a decision based on criteria such as the authenticity of the agreement and its relevance for the labor market.
If the employer makes a notification in violation of the binding employment agreement, this may affect the validity of your residence permit and Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte. If the employer does not fulfill the terms of the agreement or gives a false notice, the following possibilities may arise:
Revocation of Residence Permit:
If something happens that does not comply with the terms of the binding employment agreement, e.g. if the employer violates the terms set out or renders the agreement invalid, this may result in the revocation of your residence permit. Since the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte is issued on the basis of the employment agreement submitted in the initial application, non-compliance with the employment agreement by the employer may affect the validity of your residence permit.
Requirement to Apply for a Job Change:
If the employer violates the binding employment agreement (e.g. dismissals, termination of the employment contract, failure to fulfill salary payment obligations), it may be necessary to obtain a new job offer and renew the application. In this case, you will need to go through the job change process and apply with a new binding employment contract. However, it is possible that your application may be delayed in order to remedy the effects of erroneous notices from the former employer.
Unilateral Cancellation of the Contract by the Employer:
If the employer unilaterally cancels the contract and this is not legally acceptable, the employee can take legal action to defend his/her legal rights according to the Austrian legal regulations. In such a case, the duration and validity of your residence permit may also be questioned.
Legal Invalidation of the Employment Contract:
If the terms and conditions of the employer’s notice are contrary to Austrian labor law and are legally invalid, this may also affect the validity of your residence permit. If the employer presents an invalid contract, it may lead to a reconsideration of your Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte application.
Seek Legal Counsel: If the employer is in breach of a binding employment contract, seeking professional advice will help you clarify your position.
Get a New Job Offer: If the employer withdraws from the employment contract or the contract becomes invalid, you may need to update the application by making an agreement with a new employer.
Renew the Application: If you receive a valid job offer after erroneous notifications from the employer, it may be necessary to reapply and continue the process with a new contract.
In such a situation, it is crucial that you act in a timely and correct manner to defend your legal rights and prevent the revocation of your residence permit.
In the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte application process, the Austrian Government’s skilled migration scoring system aims to measure the professional and personal qualifications of the applicant.
In this system, the applicant;
In order for the application to be considered, a total of at least 55 points must be collected.
In the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte application, German and English language proficiency directly contributes to the scoring. However, only internationally recognized certificates issued by authorized institutions are accepted.
German Certificates:
ÖSD, Goethe Institut, Telc
English Certificates:
Cambridge English Qualifications, TOEFL (IBT), TOEIC, IELTS, Telc English
Where to Buy Certificates?
Language proficiency certificates must be obtained from the official language institutions authorized to conduct the relevant exams in Turkey or from the test centers in cooperation with them.
Time Limit on Certificates
Foreign language certificates to be submitted must have been issued no more than 5 years before the application date. Certificates older than five years are not considered valid.
