Austria
General visa requirements for travelling to Austria. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (Family Reunification Visa (Visa D + Residence Permit))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 3 to 16 months or longer
- Fee
- EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (Residence Permit application)
- Validity
- 12 months, renewable annually
- Entry
- Single entry
Family reunification allows spouses, registered partners, and minor unmarried children (under 18) to join a third-country national legally residing in Austria. The sponsor must hold a valid residence permit (RWR Card, RWR Card Plus, or permanent residence). Processing times are long, averaging 16+ months. Austria has frozen family reunification for recognized refugees and subsidiary protection holders until July 2026, with exceptions for minor children and humanitarian cases. Annual quotas may apply.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals who are spouses, registered partners, or minor unmarried children (under 18, including adopted/step children) of a person legally residing in Austria with a valid residence permit.
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Financial
Sponsor must demonstrate stable income: EUR 1,273.99/month (single), EUR 2,009.85/month (couple), plus EUR 196.57/child.
Minimum funds: EUR 1,273.99-2,009.85/month + EUR 196.57/child
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
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Health
Must have adequate health insurance.
Documents you need
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: No
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, debit/credit card, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (Residence Permit)
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, marriage/birth certificates (apostilled and translated), sponsor's residence permit copy, financial proof, accommodation proof, health insurance, German language certificate (A1), and police clearance.
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Online application
Complete the residence permit application form for family reunification.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee and residence permit application fee.
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Document submission
Submit all documents at the embassy or consulate. The application is forwarded to the Austrian immigration authority for processing.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at the embassy or consulate.
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Interview
May be invited for an interview at the embassy to verify the genuineness of the family relationship.
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Processing wait
Processing can take 3-16+ months. The Austrian immigration authority reviews the application, including quota availability checks.
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Visa collection
Upon approval, receive Visa D to enter Austria. Collect the residence permit from the immigration authority upon arrival. Register at Meldeamt within 3 working days.
Work / Immigration visa (Red-White-Red Card - Other Key Workers)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 8 to 16 weeks
- Fee
- EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (RWR Card application)
- Validity
- 24 months, renewable; can convert to RWR Card Plus after 24 months
- Entry
- Single entry
Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers in occupations listed on Austria's shortage occupation list (Mangelberufsliste). Applicants must score at least 55 points based on qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age. Minimum salary of EUR 3,465/month gross (2026). The shortage occupation list is updated annually and includes professions where there is a demonstrated labor shortage in Austria.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) with a job offer in a shortage occupation.
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Employment
Must have a binding job offer for a position on Austria's shortage occupation list (Mangelberufsliste). Must achieve at least 55 points covering: qualifications, work experience, language skills, and age.
Required status: Job offer in shortage occupation, EUR 3,465/month minimum
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Financial
Salary must meet minimum threshold of EUR 3,465/month gross (2026).
Minimum funds: EUR 3,465/month gross (2026)
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
Documents you need
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: No
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, debit/credit card, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (RWR Card)
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Professional license
Must be translated: No
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, job offer, CV, vocational qualifications, language certificates, police clearance, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
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Online application
Complete the RWR Card application form for Other Key Workers.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Austrian embassy or consulate for Visa D.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee and RWR Card application fee.
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Document submission
Submit application to Austrian immigration authority (can be done by employer in Austria or applicant at embassy).
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
AMS labor market check and immigration authority review. Total processing: 8-16 weeks.
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Visa collection
Receive Visa D, travel to Austria, collect RWR Card, register at Meldeamt.
Work / Immigration visa (Job Seeker Visa (Visa D))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Processing time
- 4 to 8 weeks
- Fee
- EUR 150 (Visa D)
- Validity
- 6 months, non-renewable
- Entry
- Single entry
The Job Seeker Visa allows very highly qualified third-country nationals to enter Austria for up to 6 months to search for employment. Applicants must score at least 70 points on the RWR Card criteria for Very Highly Qualified Workers. Holders may not work during the job search period. Upon finding employment, they can apply for the Red-White-Red Card from within Austria. Must show approximately EUR 7,200-8,000 in savings for the 6-month period.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) who are very highly qualified.
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Employment
Must achieve at least 70 points on the RWR Card assessment for Very Highly Qualified Workers. Points awarded for: special qualifications/skills, work experience, language proficiency (German/English), age (under 35 preferred), and prior study/work in Austria.
Required status: 70+ points on RWR Card criteria
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Financial
Must demonstrate EUR 7,200-8,000 in personal savings for the 6-month job search period.
Minimum funds: EUR 7,200-8,000
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Age
Younger applicants receive more points. Age under 26 earns maximum points; points decrease with age.
Min age: 18
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
Documents you need
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Bank statement
Months required: 3
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: No
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, debit/credit card; Amount: EUR 150
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, university diploma, work experience evidence, language certificates, financial proof, health insurance, and accommodation proof. Ensure documents collectively demonstrate at least 70 points.
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Online application
Complete the Visa D application form indicating job seeker purpose.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
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Fee payment
Pay the Visa D application fee of approximately EUR 150.
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Document submission
Submit all documents at the embassy or consulate in person.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at the embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
Wait for processing, typically 4-8 weeks.
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Visa collection
Collect Visa D from the embassy. Travel to Austria and begin job search. Upon receiving a job offer, apply for Red-White-Red Card from within Austria.
Work / Immigration visa (Red-White-Red Card - Highly Qualified Workers)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 8 to 16 weeks; labor market check by AMS takes up to 8 weeks
- Fee
- EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (RWR Card application)
- Validity
- 24 months, renewable; can convert to RWR Card Plus after 24 months
- Entry
- Single entry
The Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiss-Rot Karte) is Austria's points-based work permit for highly qualified third-country nationals. Applicants must score at least 70 points based on qualifications, work experience, language skills, age, and connection to Austria. Valid for 24 months and tied to a specific employer. After 24 months, holders can apply for the RWR Card Plus which allows unrestricted labor market access. Minimum salary thresholds for 2026: EUR 3,225/month gross for very highly qualified workers. Family members can apply for RWR Card Plus. The card entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the specified employer.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) with a binding job offer from an Austrian employer.
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Employment
Must have a binding job offer meeting minimum salary thresholds. Must achieve at least 70 points in the RWR Card assessment criteria covering: special qualifications and skills, work experience, language skills (German/English), age, and studies in Austria.
Required status: Binding job offer meeting EUR 3,225/month minimum
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Financial
Salary must meet minimum threshold of EUR 3,225/month gross (2026) for very highly qualified workers.
Minimum funds: EUR 3,225/month gross (2026)
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record. Criminal background check required.
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Health
Must have adequate health insurance coverage.
Documents you need
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: No
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, debit/credit card, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (RWR Card)
-
Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, job offer/contract, CV, qualifications evidence, language certificates, police clearance, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
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Online application
Complete the RWR Card application form. The application can be submitted by the applicant abroad or by the employer in Austria.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence for Visa D application.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee (approx. EUR 150) and RWR Card application fee (EUR 120).
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Document submission
Submit all documents. The employer or applicant submits the RWR Card application to the Austrian immigration authority (MA 35 in Vienna or relevant Bezirkshauptmannschaft). Visa D application submitted at embassy.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at the embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
AMS (Public Employment Service) conducts a labor market check (up to 8 weeks). Total processing: 8-16 weeks. The immigration authority reviews the points assessment.
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Visa collection
Once approved, receive Visa D to enter Austria. Upon arrival, collect the physical RWR Card from the immigration authority. Register at Meldeamt within 3 working days of arrival.
Work / Immigration visa (EU Blue Card Austria)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 8 to 16 weeks
- Fee
- EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (Blue Card application)
- Validity
- 24 months, renewable
- Entry
- Single entry
The EU Blue Card is the European work permit for highly qualified workers with a university degree. For Austria, the minimum gross monthly salary threshold is EUR 3,678.57 (2026). The Blue Card allows intra-EU mobility after 12 months. After 24 months, holders can apply for the RWR Card Plus for unrestricted labor market access.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) with a university degree.
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Employment
Must hold a university degree (at least 3 years of study) and have a job offer meeting the salary threshold of EUR 3,678.57/month gross (2026). The degree must be relevant to the position.
Required status: University degree + job offer EUR 3,678.57/month
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Financial
Job salary must meet the minimum threshold of EUR 3,678.57/month gross (2026).
Minimum funds: EUR 3,678.57/month gross (2026)
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
Documents you need
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: No
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, debit/credit card, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 150 (Visa D) + EUR 120 (Blue Card)
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, university degree, job offer/contract, CV, police clearance, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
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Online application
Complete Blue Card application form.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Austrian embassy or consulate for Visa D.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee and Blue Card application fee.
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Document submission
Submit application to Austrian immigration authority.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
Processing by immigration authority, including AMS review. Total: 8-16 weeks.
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Visa collection
Receive Visa D, travel to Austria, collect Blue Card from immigration authority.