Republic of Austria vs Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Republic of Austria
Austria issues residence permits through the MA 35 (Vienna) and Bezirkshauptmannschaften (other regions). The headline route is the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte), a points-based work permit for skilled workers, key workers, graduates of Austrian universities, self-employed, and startup founders. The EU Blue Card (Austria) is also available. Settlement after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
- Official portal
- Federal Ministry of the Interior (Austria)
- Languages
- German
- Currency
- Euro
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Hong Kong's Immigration Department runs a suite of talent and employment admission schemes rather than a single points-based system. The headline routes are the General Employment Policy (GEP) for sponsored professionals, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) and Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) for talent without a prior job offer, and the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG). Most schemes are residence tracks: seven years of continuous ordinary residence can lead to the right of abode.
- Official portal
- Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR)
- Languages
- Chinese, English
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar
How Republic of Austria and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China differ
| Dimension | Republic of Austria | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 5 | 8 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 2 | 5 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 4 | 8 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) | General Employment Policy (GEP) |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | German | Chinese, English |
| Currency | Euro | Hong Kong dollar |
| Primary regulator | ÖRAK | Law Society |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Republic of Austria
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
General Employment Policy (GEP)
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Routes unique to Republic of Austria
Routes unique to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Visa routes side by side
Republic of Austria (5)
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)
Sponsor · To settlement · 2 years; then RWR Card Plus (employer-independent, also 2 years, renewable).
EU Blue Card (Austria)
Sponsor · To settlement · 2 years; renewable.
Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · 1 year; renewable for the duration of studies.
Family Reunification (Familiennachzug)
No sponsor · To settlement · 1 year initially; renewable. Spouses get RWR Card Plus (3 years).
Red-White-Red Card — Startup Founder
No sponsor · To settlement · 2 years; then RWR Card Plus progression.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (8)
General Employment Policy (GEP)
Sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment conditions; extensions typically follow a 3+3+2-year pattern.
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay normally up to 36 months under the General Points Test (or a longer initial period for Achievement-based applicants); renewable.
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C); renewable on meeting the criteria.
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only; renewable subject to meeting the criteria.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
Sponsor · To settlement · Employment-based stay aligned with the company quota and the applicant contract; renewable subject to continued eligibility.
Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment (business) conditions; extensions follow the standard pattern.
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay granted under the scheme, renewable while the investment and asset requirements continue to be met.
Entry for Residence as Dependants
Sponsor · To settlement · Stay normally aligned with the sponsor permitted period of stay; renewable alongside the sponsor.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Republic of Austria or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?+
Republic of Austria’s Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) is the dominant skilled route; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China’s General Employment Policy (GEP) is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Republic of Austria or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China has more: 5 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 2 for Republic of Austria. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.