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  3. Republic of Austria vs Republic of Maldives

🇦🇹 Republic of Austria vs 🇲🇻 Republic of Maldives

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: 27 June 2026

🇦🇹

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

🇲🇻

Republic of Maldives

Maldives Immigration runs visa services through the official Immigration website, IMUGA and the Xpat Online System. The route set is strongly digital: work visas are moving to e-Visa status linked to work permits, business visas start in the Business Portal before immigration verification, and family-linked marriage, resident and dependent visas are filed through IMUGA. Short meeting visitors may use a 14-day on-arrival Meeting Visa if they meet the official prerequisites.

Official portal
Maldives Immigration
Languages
Dhivehi
Currency
Maldivian rufiyaa

How Republic of Austria and Republic of Maldives differ

Dimension🇦🇹 Republic of Austria🇲🇻 Republic of Maldives
Total routes covered57
Routes without employer sponsor22
Routes leading to permanent residence40
Typical full settlement timelineRed-White-Red Card for 24 months -> Red-White-Red Card plus after 21 qualifying months -> citizenship usually from 10 years residence.—
Dominant skilled visaRed-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)Work Visa
Skilled visa salary minimumNo fixed published floor—
Skilled visa processing timeAustria publishes the AMS/residence-authority workflow for the Red-White-Red Card but does not publish a single central processing-time target for shortage-occupation skilled workers.—
Skilled visa government feesAustria publishes a EUR 218 application fee for the Red-White-Red Card shortage-occupation route.—
Official languagesGermanDhivehi
CurrencyEuroMaldivian rufiyaa
Primary regulatorÖRAKMBC
Policy changes (last 12 months)00

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
No fixed published floor
Government fees
Austria publishes a EUR 218 application fee for the Red-White-Red Card shortage-occupation route.
Processing time
Austria publishes the AMS/residence-authority workflow for the Red-White-Red Card but does not publish a single central processing-time target for shortage-occupation skilled workers.
Sponsor required
Yes
Leads to settlement
Yes

🇲🇻 Republic of Maldives

Work Visa

Salary minimum
—
Government fees
—
Processing time
—
Sponsor required
Yes
Leads to settlement
No

Routes unique to Republic of Austria

  • Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)

    skilled-migration

  • Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender)

    study

  • Red-White-Red Card — Startup Founder

    entrepreneur

Routes unique to Republic of Maldives

  • Business Visa

    short-term-business

  • Meeting Visa

    short-term-business

  • Resident Visa

    residence-general

Visa routes side by side

Republic of Austria (5)

  • Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)

    Sponsor · Leads to settlement · 2 years; then RWR Card Plus (employer-independent, also 2 years, renewable).

  • EU Blue Card (Austria)

    Sponsor · Leads 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 · Leads to settlement · 1 year initially; renewable. Spouses get RWR Card Plus (3 years).

  • Red-White-Red Card — Startup Founder

    No sponsor · Leads to settlement · 2 years; then RWR Card Plus progression.

Republic of Maldives (7)

  • Work Visa

    Sponsor · Non-settlement · The Work e-Visa validity corresponds to the approved Work Permit; renewed Work Visas are issued with a maximum validity of 1 year.

  • Business Visa

    No sponsor · Non-settlement · Granted for 30 to 90 days at a time, not exceeding 180 days total per calendar year.

  • Meeting Visa

    No sponsor · Non-settlement · 14 days on arrival; non-extendable.

  • Marriage Visa

    Sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for 1 year for new applications; extensions can be issued for up to 5 years.

  • Resident Visa

    Sponsor · Non-settlement · The official page lists initial Marriage Visa validity of 1 year and renewals up to 5 years.

  • Dependent Visa

    Sponsor · Non-settlement · Duration depends on the approved dependent visa grant. Confirm the active period in IMUGA.

  • Sponsorship Declaration

    Sponsor · Non-settlement · The sponsored person must arrive in the Maldives within 30 days of approval.

Frequently asked questions

Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Republic of Austria or Republic of Maldives?+−

Republic of Austria’s Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) requires a salary of at least No fixed published floor; Republic of Maldives’s Work Visa is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.

This is not legal advice

We publish neutral, sourced information about immigration routes. Rules and thresholds change often — always verify details on the official government source linked on this page and consult a regulated immigration advisor before applying.