How to Get an Austria Work Visa as an Indian?

Austria is an excellent country for employment due to its high quality of life, and work opportunities. Foreigners who want to work in the country can apply for a work visa. The Austria work visa is a D visa granted for stays longer than 90 days. It is also known as the national visa or the long-stay visa. You can apply for a work visa at an Austrian embassy or consulate. This blog covers everything you need about the work visa- eligibility, documents, application process, fees, processing time, etc.

Austria Work Visa: An Overview 

The Austria work visa or D visa can only be applied after you have received a Red-White-Red card. The Red White Red card is both a work permit and a residence permit. It is typically granted for 2 years. However, the exact duration of the permit may differ depending on the duration of work, and the kind of work you are doing. 

After you have obtained your Red-White-Red card you can apply for a D visa. It will allow you to stay in the country longer than 90 days. You can then travel to Austria, and get your residence card, and start working. 

Can Indians Work in Austria?

Yes. Indian nationals can work in Austria. However, they need a residence and work permit called the Red White Red card. Thereafter, they need a work visa to travel to Austria. All third-country nationals including Indians need a work visa. The only exemption to the visa requirement is a citizen of an EU/EEA country. 

Who is Eligible for an Austria Work Visa?

A third-country national needs an Austrian work visa. A work visa is granted to you if you are:

• A skilled worker in shortage occupation– That is, you intend to take up a shortage occupation in Austria for employment. You can apply for a Red White Red card, if you have secured a minimum of 55 points out of 90 in the Austria point-based system. Thereafter, you can apply for a D visa.
• Very highly skilled qualified worker– You must be seeking employment in the country. Under this category, you are allowed to visit the country for 6 months and look for work. You need to secure 70 points on a scale of 100 in the point-based system to get the permit.
• Other key workers– If you have specialised skills or expertise you can apply for a D visa after obtaining a Red White Red card.. 
• Graduate student– A D visa is also granted for studies. You can complete your studies at a higher educational institution, apply for a Red White Red card and look for work. Here, no point is required.
• Self-employed key worker- If you are self-employed and your business activities provide macroeconomic benefits to Austria you can apply for a Red White Red Card, and then a D visa. No point is required to get the permit.
• Start-up founder- If you are planning to set up an innovative business in the country you can apply for a Red White Red card and then a D visa. However, you need to secure 50 points in the Austria point-based system to get a permit.

Note– A D visa will allow you to travel to Austria while a residence & work permit (Red White Red Card) will allow you to work. The employer applies for the permit on your behalf, while you need to apply for a D visa.

Planning to study in Austria? Learn about the Austria student visa here 

Austria Work Visa Requirements 

To apply for a work visa you need to submit several documents. The important documents you need to submit for a work visa are provided below. The documents you are submitting must be either in English or German. If it is not, you need to translate your documents to English/German.

• D visa application form that you have filled and signed 
• A passport that is valid for 3 months after the intended date of departure from Austria. Moreover, the passport must have been issued in the last 10 years.
• 3 photographs as per the standards set by ICAO
• Valid Indian residency permit or return visa.
• Round trip flight tickets, and detailed itinerary. You also need to submit proof of funds to travel outside Austria (in other schengen areas) if you are planning an onward trip.
• Proof that you have arranged accommodation in Austria 
• Proof that you have medical insurance that is applicable in all the schengen countries. The minimum amount you need for insurance is EUR 30,000 for 3 months.
• Submit proof of occupation. For example, the Udhyog Aadhar Memorandum if you are self-employed, an employment contract and NOC to leave for employed people, offer letter from a University for students.
• Proof that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. For example, submit your bank statements, and ITR for the last 3 years.
• The Austrian Labor Market Authority (AMS) permission is provided to you by the employer.
• Copy of your current passport, and your previous passports
• Your contact details such as phone number, business number (If applicable), and email address.

Austria Work Visa Application Form 

Indian applicants can download the application from from the VFS Global website. You can also get the application form from the Austrian embassy/consulate in India.

How to Apply for an Austria Work Visa?

You can apply for a work visa after you have obtained the Red White Red card. (unless you are a very highly qualified worker). The application process for the work visa is as follows;

• First, download the visa application form from the website. Complete the application from, and print out the same. Bring the same with you to the visa application centre.
• The Austrian embassy in New Delhi assesses the application.
• Next, book an appointment at the visa application centre, and on the appointment day submit your biometrics.
• Pay the visa application fee, and submit the application form. You need to bring your documents to the visa application centre.
• After you have attended the scheduled appointment, and submitted the fees your application will be processed.
• You can track your application online through SMS updates, or email updates. You can also track the application online by entering the reference number, and your last name.
• After a decision is arrived at, you can collect your passport, and other documents from the visa application centre.
• If your application is approved you can travel to Austria, and then get your residence card to start working.

Learn about the reasons for Austria visa application rejection 

Austria Work Visa Fees 

The Austria work visa fee depends on your age. The visa fee is as follows:

Age	Fee
Adults (those above the age of 12)	13650

The minimum age to work in the country is 15.

Learn about the cost of living in Austria to understand the expenses.

Austria Work Visa Processing Time

The work visa processing time is as follows. The visa application processing time can be extended if you have to attend a visa interview or submit more documents.

D visa	Processing Time
General Processing Time	15 Working days

Can I Bring My Family to Austria on a Residence permit?

Family members of Red White Card holders, and EU blue card holders can apply for a residence permit. The family members can directly apply for a Red White Red Card. If you are a Red White Red card holder, and you have Austria Work Visa, your family (spouse or children) will be allowed for a limited period unrestricted access to the labour market. The validity of the Red White Red Card Plus would typically depend on the validity of your Red White Card.

Can I Go to Austria without Job offer?

Yes. It is possible to go to Austria without a job offer. You can apply as a very highly skilled qualified worker or as a ‘job seeker’ for a D visa (Austria Work Visa). After you get the visa you can visit the country for 6 months and look for employment. You can apply for a residence permit after getting a job, and prolong your stay.

On the other hand, if you are applying as a skilled worker in a shortage occupation, a graduate student who has completed studies in Austria, or as another key worker you need an offer letter to work in Austria. The employer will give you the offer letter, and apply for a permit on your behalf, Thereafter, you can apply for a D visa.

To learn how to get a job in Austira with a visa, watch this video:

What is the Red White Red Plus Card?

A Red White Red Card Plus is available to Indian nationals for a fixed term. You can work with a Red White Red Card. However, you cannot change your employer without renewing your residency. The Red White Red Card Plus, allows you to have unrestricted access to the labour market. Your family can directly apply for a Red White Red Plus card. Both self-employed and employed people can apply. It is vaid for 1 to 2 years.

Do I Need a Visa if I Have an EU Blue Card?

An EU Blue card is a type of residency permit. It is valid for the duration of your employment contract. You can get this card for a maximum period of 2 years. You need a D visa to enter Austria and collect your EU Blue card. 

It is also possible to transition your Red White Red Card to an EU blue card. However, this path is not common. Most people just continue their Red White Red card rather than applying for an EU blue card. 

FAQs

We hope you now understand what are the German work visa requirements. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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