Austria Work Visa

Types of Work Permits in Austria

There are more than a few Austria work visas and permit options to explore. Some require you to sponsor the applicant, while others depend on their profile. 

Austria work visa types

The D-Visa is the only long-term national visa that allows a stay of up to six months for work-related purposes. A specific type D working visa in Austria, like the popular Jobseeker Visa, allows highly qualified non-EU workers to enter the country legally and seek work. 

You can hire candidates on such Austria job visas easily. However, you must sponsor them under relevant working permits in Austria like a Red-White-Red Card or others.    

Austria work permit types

Here are the main types of work permits for Austria:

• Red-White-Red Card: Highly skilled workers, qualified key workers, and shortage occupation professionals can stay and work in Austria for up to 24 months, with the possibility to apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus. 

• Red-White-Red Card Plus: This card grants broader employment rights, allowing employment with any employer in Austria after 21 months of residence with the original Red-White-Red Card.

• EU Blue Card: Highly qualified non-EU nationals with a valid work contract offering a high salary can stay for two years or more. 

• Seasonal Worker Permit: You must secure a quota-based permit from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) before hiring temporary workers for up to six months in agriculture, tourism, or forestry.

• Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit: You can explore this Austria work permit visa for a specific duration to send your current employees.

Further, refer to the below summary differentiating work visas in Austria from work permits:

Requirements for Austria Work Visa and Permits 

If you are looking to hire non-EU/EEA nationals, you must consider the following Austria's work permit visa requirements:

• Provide a formal job offer or employment contract specifying the position, salary, and other relevant details (e.g., working hours, job description, salary details). 
• Moreover, seek approval from the AMS proving that no suitable candidates from Austria or the EU were available for the job.
• Prepare a detailed document outlining the terms of employment, which you must provide to support your employee’s application for a work permit in Austria.
• Apply for a working permit in Austria, also called Einzelsicherungsbescheinigung, before your hired foreign worker enters the country. 
• Consider prescribed salary thresholds to ensure compliance with salary and working conditions per Austrian labor laws. 

• For example, you must offer your hired employees in Austria a minimum of € 3,030 (2024) in gross monthly payments for qualifying under the Red-White-Red Card. The threshold for an EU blue card is at least € 47,855 (2024) in gross annual payments. 

How to Apply for Austria Work Visa and Permits

Here’s a step-by-step procedure in aiding the primary applicant to obtain a Austria work visa and permit: 

Step 1: Select the appropriate work visa or permit type

• Identify the type of candidate you are about to hire: 

• Non-EU/EEA nationals living in Austria or 
• Third-country nationals living abroad. 

• You may consider common options like: 

• Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers, 
• EU Blue Card for highly qualified professionals.
• Work permits for seasonal or specific occupations.

Step 2: Extend a formal job offer and employment contract

• Follow compliance with Austrian labor laws to draft an employment contract outlining the job position, salary, and conditions of employment. 

Step 3: Gather the necessary documentation

You must prepare for the work permit application after collecting the following documents: 

• Employer's Declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung): Issue a statement outlining the terms of employment.
• Proof of Qualifications: Gather proof of the candidate’s educational and professional qualifications.
• Proof of Salary Compliance: Ensure that the offered salary meets the minimum thresholds set for the specific visa type.
• Health Insurance: Ensure employees are covered by valid health insurance throughout employment. 

Step 4: Prepare for employee arrival

• Once the visa or permit is approved, you may assist the employee with relocation logistics. 
• You can guide them in registering with local authorities or even support them settling into their new position and life in Austria.

Austria work permit visa processing time

The usual processing time for an Austrian work visa, including job seeker visas, is about 7-8 weeks. While there is no separate category for the Austria digital nomad visa, some work visa categories may be processed within 3 weeks. 

Looking to Hire in Austria? Skuad Can Help

You can simplify hiring in Austria with the help of EOR solutions like Skuad. 

Skuad offers a streamlined solution, allowing global companies like yours to hire top talent from over 160 countries, including Austria, without the administrative burden of setting up local entities and complying with labor law. 

Skuad also offers work permit and visa services to help you hire foreign workers in Austria. However, you must engage us as your Employer of Record to get the full benefits of Austria work visa services. 

Take a demo of Skuad EOR to simplify your hiring in Austria. 

FAQs

Q1. How to get a work permit in Austria?

Any non-EU/EEA national living abroad must have a valid work visa to legally enter the country before they can apply for a work permit in Austria, like a Red-White-Red Card. Moreover, employer-issued documents like an employment contract or approvals from AMS are necessary to get a work permit in Austria. 

Q2. Can an American work in Austria?

If you’re thinking “Is a us citizen legally authorized to work in Austria?”, the answer is yes, there are plenty of jobs in Austria for US citizen. Apart from Intra-company transfers, any other American can also work in Austria with valid documents. They must ensure a valid job offer from a local employer, in addition to personal identity and skill documents. 

Q3. How much does a work permit cost in Austria?

The work permit cost in Austria depends on the visa type, including: 

• Short-term Visas (Restricted and Standard visa): $70
• Long-term Visas (Unrestricted visa): $116
• Red-White-Red Card: $186
  

Q4. Can a foreigner work in Austria?

The points-based system makes it transparent for anyone with valid documents and required skills to work in Austria. This allows any third-country nationals not part of EU/EEA nations to work in Austria legally. Moreover, global employers partner with EOR solutions like Skuad to simplify their hiring process in Austria. 

Q5. How long does it take to get a work permit in Austria? 

It takes about 7-8 weeks to get a work permit in Austria. However, certain work visa categories are processed within three weeks. Most global employers simplify their hiring process by partnering with EOR solutions like Skuad to process work visas and permits. 

Q6. Is it difficult to get a work permit in Austria?

No, getting a work permit in Austria is relatively simple for third-country nationals living outside EU/EEA nations. For instance, an Austria job seeker visa allows anyone to enter the country legally to search for a job, making it easier to get a work permit.