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Job-seeker visa in Austria

The category D visa allows a very highly qualified third-country national to come to Austria without a prior job offer and to look for a suitable position. The programme requires a minimum number of points under a system assessing education, experience, languages and age. Once an employer has been found, the applicant moves to the Red-White-Red Card for employment. This is a route for specialists with higher education, foreign language skills and professional experience.

Source: migration.gv.at — Very Highly Qualified Workers

Two routes for highly qualified specialists

If you already have a job offer, you can apply for the Red-White-Red Card directly. If you are still looking for an employer, start with the job-seeker visa.

Without a job offer

  • Apply for the job-seeker visa
  • Come to Austria for 6 months
  • Look for a suitable employer
  • Apply for the Red-White-Red Card once you have an offer

With a job offer

  • Apply for the Red-White-Red Card
  • Obtain a permit for residence and work
  • Work for a specific employer for 24 months
  • After 21 months apply for the Red-White-Red Plus to be free in your choice of employer

When this programme will not suit you

You cannot reach 70 points under the assessment system

The programme for other skilled workers (Fachkräfte), with lower points requirements

No job is found within the 6 months the visa is valid

You must leave Austria and wait 12 months before applying again

You cannot provide proof of health insurance

Travel insurance covering costs of at least EUR 30,000 may be accepted, but requires additional checking

What it costs

Fee for the D visa for job-seekingA one-off payment when lodging the application at an embassy or consulate195 EUR
Fee for the Red-White-Red Card applicationCharged when applying for the card after receiving a job offer218 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.413 EUR

Paid separately

  • Health insurance — Must be arranged by the applicant before lodging the application; minimum cover EUR 30,000
  • Accommodation — The cost of renting or buying accommodation is not part of the state fees, but proof is required
  • Translation of documents — All documents must be in German or English; the applicant covers the cost of translation

Documents to gather

The full set of documents is required when lodging the application at the embassy or consulate in the country of residence. All documents apart from the passport and photograph must be translated into German or English.

  • A valid passport
  • A photograph 45x35 mm, no older than 6 months
  • Proof of local accommodation (tenancy contract, certificate of ownership or a letter from the owner)
  • Proof of health insurance covering all medical risks
  • Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (account statements, salary certificates, pension documents)
  • A degree or certificate of higher education (4+ years of study) or a PhD certificate
  • Evidence of professional experience (employment contracts, references, letters from employers)
  • A certificate of knowledge of German or English (no older than 5 years) or other language certificates
  • Documents on awards, publications or other achievements (where applicable)
  • A criminal record certificate (in some cases)

How the process runs

The application process begins at the Austrian embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of residence.

  1. 1

    Lodging the documents at the embassy or consulate

    1 day

    The applicant prepares the full set of documents and lodges the application at the Austrian representation in their country of residence or country of lawful residence. The representation checks that the documents are complete.

  2. 2

    Forwarding the documents to the AMS (the Austrian employment service)

    A few days

    The embassy passes the documents received to the AMS for the points to be assessed against the criteria. The AMS analyses education, experience, language skills, age and other parameters.

  3. 3

    Points assessment and AMS approval

    2-4 weeks

    The AMS checks that the applicant has scored at least 70 points out of a possible 100. If the assessment is positive, the AMS consents to the visa being issued.

  4. 4

    Issue of the D visa for job-seeking

    1-2 weeks after approval

    After AMS approval the embassy issues the D visa, valid for 6 months. On this visa the applicant can come to Austria and begin looking for work.

  5. 5

    Living in Austria and looking for work

    Up to 6 months

    The applicant lives in Austria and looks for an employer willing to offer a position matching their qualification with appropriate pay.

  6. 6

    Receiving a job offer

    Varies

    On receiving a job offer from an Austrian employer, the applicant can apply for the Red-White-Red Card for formal employment.

  7. 7

    Applying for the Red-White-Red Card

    1 day

    The applicant and the employer jointly lodge the application for the Red-White-Red Card with the local Austrian authorities (the provincial governor's office or the district administration).

  8. 8

    Issue of the Red-White-Red Card

    2-4 weeks

    After approval the Red-White-Red Card is issued for 24 months, allowing formal work for a specific employer in Austria together with the right of residence.

  9. 9

    Working in Austria

    24 months

    While the Red-White-Red Card is valid the applicant works for the employer named on the card. A change of employer requires a new Red-White-Red Card.

  10. 10

    Applying for the Red-White-Red Plus (optional)

    After 21 months of work

    After at least 21 months of continuous work on the Red-White-Red Card the applicant can apply for the Red-White-Red Plus, which allows a change of employer without any new permit.

Timelines and rights

Work

The visa gives the right only to look for work. Once you have an offer you apply for the RWR Card, which is generally issued for 24 months and tied to the employer.

Who you can bring with you

Family members can come to Austria together with the holder of the Red-White-Red Card, but the process differs depending on the status of the card.

Spouse or registered partner
Can apply for the Red-White-Red Plus as soon as the holder receives the main Red-White-Red Card. The Red-White-Red Plus allows a free change of employer and work in Austria without being tied to the main holder's specific employer.
Minor children (under 18), including adopted children and stepchildren
Can apply for the Red-White-Red Plus straight away if they are dependent on the holder of the main card. The Red-White-Red Plus gives them the right to live and work in Austria with greater freedom in the choice of employer.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The application is lodged in person at an Austrian representation in the country of citizenship or lawful residence. The AMS confirms the points scored.

The Red-White-Red Card is valid for 24 months and can be renewed if the applicant continues to meet the requirements of the programme and has an employment contract with a recognised employer. The renewal application must be lodged before the current card expires. Once a timely renewal application has been lodged, the applicant may continue to live and work in Austria until the renewal decision is taken. The Red-White-Red Plus is issued without being tied to a specific employer and can be renewed provided there is work in Austria.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

Job-seeker visaRed-White-Red CardBlue Card
Visa term6 monthsUsually 24 months tied to the employer, then the RWR Karte plusUp to 2 years (or the term of the contract plus 3 months), renewed for 3 years
MoneyProof of sufficient means, health insurance and accommodation meeting local standardsSufficient means plus a salary above the sector collective rates; for a start-up — a business planAn annual salary above the Austrian average (about EUR 45,595 for 2023, indexed)
WorkThe visa gives the right only to look for workWork with a specific employer; after the RWR+ the labour market is openThe right to work under the contract; a change of employer requires approval

Frequently asked questions about Job-seeker visa

What happens if I do not find work within the 6 months the job-seeker visa is valid?
If you do not find work within the six-month validity of the visa, you must leave Austria. You can only lodge a new visa application after a 12-month waiting period from the end of the previous visa.
What is the Red-White-Red Card and how does it differ from the job-seeker visa?
The Red-White-Red Card is a combined residence and work permit valid for 24 months. It gives the right to live and work for a specific employer in Austria. The job-seeker visa is valid for only 6 months and is intended solely for looking for work, without being tied to a specific employer.
Can I change employer while the Red-White-Red Card is valid?
No, the Red-White-Red Card is tied to the specific employer named in the permit. If you change employer within the first 24 months, you need to lodge a new application for a Red-White-Red Card. However, after 21 months of continuous work you can apply for the Red-White-Red Plus, which allows you to change employer at any time without a new permit.
What are the health insurance requirements when applying?
When lodging the application you must provide proof of health insurance covering all medical risks. The authorities will accept travel insurance provided it covers costs of more than EUR 30,000. The insurance must be valid at the time the application is lodged.
Can members of my family come to Austria with me?
Yes, family members (spouse, registered partner, minor children under 18) can come to Austria. They can apply for the Red-White-Red Plus as soon as you receive the main Red-White-Red Card. The Red-White-Red Plus allows them to work in Austria with greater freedom in the choice of employer.
What is the minimum number of points needed for the job-seeker visa?
You need to score at least 70 points out of a possible 100 under the assessment system. Points are awarded for education (a university degree — 20 points, MINT subjects — 30, a PhD — 40), work experience (1 point for every six months, 10 points for 6 months of work in Austria), language skills (German/English at A1 — 5 points, A2 — 10), age (up to 35 — 20 points, up to 40 — 15, up to 45 — 10) and study in Austria (half the programme — 5 points, the full programme — 10).

Other ways to move to Austria

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Austria.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.