The system clearly sets out, on the basis of objective criteria (qualifications, work experience, language skills, age, etc.), the requirements expected of immigrants; a further important point is the demand from the Austrian labour market. This transparent system lets interested citizens from third countries recognize immediately whether they can immigrate and under what conditions.
The Red-White-Red Card applies to the following groups:
Very highly qualified workers
Particularly highly qualified immigrants, who represent a very important potential for the domestic economy, can come to Austria for six months, even without a specific job offer. They are granted a visa to find work if they meet the criteria of “special qualifications and skills”, “work experience”, “language skills”, “age” and / or “studies in Austria” with at least 70 out of 100 possible points. If they receive a satisfactory job offer during their six-month stay in Austria, they are issued a Red-White-Red Card.
Skilled workers in shortage occupations
Professionals who have a job offer in an occupation with a lack of workforce will receive a Red-White-Red Card if they satisfy 50 of the 75 criteria points under “qualification”, “work experience according to qualification”, “language skills” and / or “age”, and they receive the national minimum wage in accordance with the law, regulation or collective agreement, as well as a customary additional payment.
Undersubscribed occupations are stipulated each year for the following calendar year; the first regulation will come into force in May 2012.
Other key workers
Other key workers are eligible for the Red-White-Red Card if they fulfill the following requirements:
- a job offer
- at least 50 of 75 possible points under “qualifications”, “work experience”, “language skills” and “age"
- for the job vacancy, no equally qualified person is available on the domestic labour market (the labour market test)
- gross monthly pay of 50% of the statutory (ASVG) maximum contribution base for those under 30 years of age (2011: EUR 2,100) and 60% for those over 30 years of age (2011: EUR 2,520), each plus bonuses
Foreign graduates
Third-country nationals who have, at a minimum, passed the second part of a program of study towards a diploma or a Master's degree in Austria can remain a further six months in Austria to look for a job. Exhibiting a level of training appropriate to their job offer with a minimum wage of 45% of the statutory (ASVG) maximum contribution base (2011: EUR 1,890), they are eligible for the Red-White-Red Card. Foreign graduates need not go through the points system and no labour market test is undertaken.
Self-employed key workers
Provided the employment is associated with an economy-wide benefit, particularly in cases where there is a related transfer of investment capital and / or jobs are to be created or safeguarded, the self-employed in key work forces can be issued a Red-White-Red Card.
Immediate labour market access for family members of Red-White-Red Card holders
Family members of Red-White-Red Card holder are not subject to quotas and receive a Red-White-Red Card plus, which includes immediate, unrestricted access to the labour market. However, they must show, before entering the country, elementary knowledge of the German language at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level A1.
Immigration portal
On the Immigration Portal, www.migration.gv.at , the possibilities for immigration into Austria are presented in detail and a (self-assessed) point checking system is made available, whereby potential immigrants can assess the likelihood of being allowed to immigrate.
