Indian applicants · Republic of Austria
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) for Indian citizens
Austria's criteria-based work and residence permit for qualified third-country workers, with category-specific 55-point, 70-point, graduate, self-employed, and start-up routes.
This page covers the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- Official route pages do not publish a fixed service standard; timelines vary by Austrian mission, residence authority, and AMS assessment.
- Government fees
- €218
- Typical duration
- 24 months; then RWR Card Plus after at least 21 months of qualifying employment during the preceding 24 months.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a Republic of Austria consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Indian nationals are set by Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Government cost
€218
Single applicant
Family members normally use the Red-White-Red Card plus or family-reunification route; the current published application fee is EUR 218 per applicant.
Verified 1 July 2026 · Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
Time to permanent residence
Red-White-Red Card for 24 months -> Red-White-Red Card plus after 21 qualifying months -> citizenship usually from 10 years residence.
Leads to Permanent Residence - EU / Red-White-Red Card plus, then Austrian citizenship.
Visa overview
The Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) is Austria's criteria-based skilled-migration residence title for qualified third-country nationals. The official hub says it is issued for 24 months and ties work authorisation to the employer specified in the application. Current eligible groups include Very Highly Qualified Workers, Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, Other Key Workers, Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education, Regular Workers in Tourism/Agriculture/Forestry, Self-employed Key Workers, and Start-up Founders. The most common employed routes are category-specific: skilled workers in shortage occupations need completed training, a binding Austrian job offer, minimum pay under law/regulation/collective agreement, and at least 55 points; Other Key Workers need the 2026 statutory minimum salary of EUR 3,465 gross per month, an AMS labour-market test, and at least 55 points. Family members can apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus.
Additional sources
Primary source
migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations ↗ · Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Link last verified:
Primary source
migration.gv.at - Other Key Workers ↗ · Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Link last verified:
Primary source
migration.gv.at - Red-White-Red Card plus ↗ · Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Link last verified:
Primary source
migration.gv.at - Family reunification ↗ · Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Link last verified:
Primary source
AMS - Red-White-Red Card points calculator ↗ · AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice)
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Meet the point threshold for the specific RWR category. Current skilled-worker shortage and other-key-worker pages require at least 55 points; very-highly-qualified-worker cases use a higher threshold. Use the official category page and points calculator for the exact table.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ✓Most employed categories need a binding Austrian job offer plus an employer declaration with details of the future workplace. Very Highly Qualified Workers and self-employed/start-up categories follow their own rules.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- €Salary must meet the relevant route rule: shortage occupations need minimum pay under law, regulation or collective agreement, while Other Key Workers need at least EUR 3,465 gross monthly in 2026.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ✓For Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations: prove completed training in an occupation covered by the current shortage-occupation regulation and reach at least 55 points.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
Common blockers
- !Points below the category threshold - especially where the applicant relies on uncertified language ability instead of recognised certificates.
- !No recognised language certificate where language points are needed. Current category pages award points for German and English, and some tables also credit other listed languages.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- !Salary below the route rule - collective-agreement/legal minimum for shortage workers, or the current statutory minimum for Other Key Workers.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- !Missing employer declaration, incomplete employment details, or a failed AMS labour-market assessment for categories where AMS checks placement of equally qualified registered jobseekers.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Employer declaration and employment contract or binding job offer meeting the category salary/terms rule.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ·Degree, vocational-training, university-admission, graduation, work-experience, or special-know-how documents used for the points table.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ·German language certificate (Austrian Language Diploma German, Goethe-Institut, telc, or Austrian Integration Fund where accepted for the category).Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ·English language certificate (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL) if claiming English-language points.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ·Valid travel document, current 45x35mm photo, and evidence of health insurance covering all risks in Austria.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ·Current criminal-record extract if required by the Austrian mission or residence authority; many authorities require it for initial applications.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
- ·Translations into German or English, and legalised versions, where the authority requires them for review.Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗
Application pathway
Choose the RWR category and calculate points
Use the official category pages and points calculator to verify the right threshold. Current shortage-worker and Other Key Worker pages use a 55-point minimum; other categories have their own rules.
Secure a qualifying job offer where required
The employer provides an employment contract and employer declaration. For shortage occupations, verify the occupation is on the current shortage list and the salary meets the legal, regulatory or collective-agreement minimum. For Other Key Workers, check the EUR 3,465 gross monthly 2026 minimum.
Apply at Austrian consulate or domestically
Submit the RWR Card application at the Austrian embassy/consulate in your country of residence, or domestically at the competent residence authority if already legally in Austria. The AMS (Public Employment Service) assesses the points, labour-market and salary component.
Receive RWR Card and begin work
The RWR Card is issued for 24 months and tied to the employer specified in the application. You can begin working after the residence title is issued.
Apply for RWR Card Plus after qualifying employment
After at least 21 months of qualifying employment during the preceding 24 months, apply for the RWR Card Plus. This grants unlimited labour-market access.
Apply for Daueraufenthalt-EU after 5 years
After 5 total years of continuous legal residence, apply for permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU). Requirements include German B1, economic self-sufficiency, and clean criminal record.
Other Republic of Austria routes covered for Indian applicants
EU Blue Card (Austria)
EU-wide highly qualified worker permit — higher salary threshold than the RWR Card but offers intra-EU mobility after 12 months.
Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender)
Residence permit for international students at Austrian universities — includes part-time work rights and a dedicated post-graduation RWR Card pathway.
Not sure Republic of Austria is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer skilled migration routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)?+
Eligibility for the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) is set by Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)?+
a Republic of Austria consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Republic of Austria as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Indian nationals are set by Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How much does the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) cost for a Indian applicant?+
Government fees for the worked example (Single applicant) total about €218. Family members normally use the Red-White-Red Card plus or family-reunification route; the current published application fee is EUR 218 per applicant. Figures from Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, verified 1 July 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source before budgeting.
How long until permanent residence in Republic of Austria?+
Red-White-Red Card for 24 months -> Red-White-Red Card plus after 21 qualifying months -> citizenship usually from 10 years residence. The route leads to Permanent Residence - EU / Red-White-Red Card plus, then Austrian citizenship. See Migration.gv.at - Citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
How many points do I need for the Red-White-Red Card?+
It depends on the category. Current migration.gv.at pages require at least 55 points for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations and Other Key Workers. Other categories, such as Very Highly Qualified Workers, graduates, self-employed key workers and start-up founders, use different category rules. Use the official points calculator and category page before filing.
How important is German language for the RWR Card?+
It can be points-critical even when it is not a separate mandatory requirement for every RWR category. Current skilled-worker and key-worker tables award points for certified language ability, including German A1/A2/B1 and English A2/B1. German is also important for daily life in Austria and later long-term residence steps.
How much does the Austria Red-White-Red Card cost?+
Migration.gv.at currently publishes a EUR 218 application fee for Red-White-Red Card categories. Budget separately for passport photos, criminal-record extracts where required, translations/legalisation for documents not in German or English, language tests if you need points, and any regulated-profession recognition. Family members normally apply for Red-White-Red Card plus and the current application fee is also EUR 218 per applicant.
What is the Mangelberufsliste?+
The Mangelberufsliste (shortage occupation list) is published annually in January by the Austrian government. It lists occupations experiencing documented labour shortages. Workers in these occupations have a separate, slightly easier RWR Card category with its own points table. Common occupations on the list include IT professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, and skilled tradespeople. Check migration.gv.at for the current year's list — it changes every year.
Can I change employers on the RWR Card?+
The initial RWR Card (first 2 years) is tied to a specific employer. You cannot change employers without obtaining a new RWR Card or upgrading to the RWR Card Plus. After 2 years, the RWR Card Plus grants employer-independent work rights — you can change jobs, occupations, and sectors freely.
What is the RWR Card Plus?+
The RWR Card Plus gives fixed-term settlement and unlimited labour-market access. RWR Card holders can apply after they were employed according to the RWR eligibility criteria for at least 21 months during the preceding 24 months, assessed by AMS. Family members of RWR Card holders can also receive RWR Card plus if they meet the general granting requirements.
Can I apply without a job offer?+
Only in the "Very Highly Qualified Workers" category. This targets researchers, top executives, and individuals with exceptional achievements (patents, academic prizes, etc.). The points threshold is still 70, but the assessment focuses on academic and professional distinction rather than a specific employer. All other RWR Card categories require a concrete job offer.