Austria · Skilled Worker Visa

Red-White-Red Card — Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)

✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-20 · Our methodology

6.3/10 diff

Challenging

Red-White-Red Card for Fachkräfte in Mangelberufen (skilled workers in shortage occupations). Annual Fachkräfteverordnun…

Min income

—

Processing

180+ days

Path to PR

Job offer

Required

Not legal advice. This content is for educational and decision-support purposes only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the relevant official authority before making decisions.

Direct answer

Red-White-Red Card for Fachkräfte in Mangelberufen (skilled workers in shortage occupations). Annual Fachkräfteverordnung lists shortage occupations. Requires completed vocational training in the shortage occupation, binding job offer at minimum statutory pay, and minimum 55 of 90 points. Labour market test waived.

At a Glance

Visa Duration

24 months

Processing Time

180+ days

Min Income

—

Path to PR

Difficulty

6/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age Range	18+
Job Offer Required	Yes
Sponsorship Required	Yes
Language Required	A1
Health Insurance Required	Yes

Application Timeline

Job offer and labour market test

15–30 days

Employer secures job offer; AMS conducts labour market test.

Blocker: no suitable job; failure of labour market test; incomplete documentation

Points-based assessment and application

20–40 days

Applicant submits application; authorities review points.

Blocker: insufficient points (55 threshold); invalid documents; missing language proof

Visa issuance and entry

10–30 days

Visa issued; applicant enters Austria; residence permit finalized.

Blocker: visa processing delays; incomplete entry documents

Family & Rights

Right	Details
Family Allowed	Yes
Spouse Can Work	Yes
Path to Permanent Residency	No

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Vienna

Single (monthly)€2,100

Family (monthly)€3,900

Rent 1BR (center)€1,100

Groceries€525

Transport pass€126

Graz

Single (monthly)€1,805

Family (monthly)€3,400

Rent 1BR (center)€750

Groceries€451

Transport pass€108

Salzburg

Single (monthly)€2,186

Family (monthly)€4,000

Rent 1BR (center)€1,150

Groceries€546

Transport pass€131

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Red-White-Red Card — Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations?

Can I bring my family on the Red-White-Red Card — Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations?

Yes, this pathway allows family members including dependents. Your spouse may also be eligible to work.

Can the Red-White-Red Card — Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to Austria?

Yes. Austria offers 32 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Austria country page.

What is the cost of living in Austria?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Vienna: €2,100/mo; Graz: €1,805/mo; Salzburg: €2,186/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

www.migration.gv.at

Data last verified: 2026-06-20 · See our methodology

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