Turkish citizens moving to Republic of Austria
Turkish nationals typically move to Republic of Austria through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Federal Ministry of the Interior (Austria), so check each route below for its primary source.
We cover 5 Austria routes — 2 can be started without a job offer, and 4 lead to permanent residence.
Tourist entry
No. Turkish nationals require a visa to enter Republic of Austria, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
No nationality-specific treaty routes apply.
Consular processing: a Republic of Austria consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
What this means for Turkish citizens
Of the 5 Republic of Austria routes we cover, 2 can be started without an employer sponsor and 4 can lead to permanent residence. Expect a language test or qualification-recognition step, since language alignment is only partial.
Routes with nationality-specific notes
Each link opens the Turkish-specific guide for that route.
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)
Austria's points-based work and residence permit for skilled workers, key workers, and graduates of Austrian universities — 70 points required.
Turkish nationals have the largest non-EU community in Austria, with deep historical migration ties (Gastarbeiter era from the 1960s–70s). The existing Turkish community provides strong settlement infrastructure — neighbourhoods, businesses, and cultural organisations are well-established in Vienna, Linz, and Graz. German-language proficiency rates among Turkish applicants are often higher than for other third-country nationals, providing a significant points advantage. Turkish state university degrees are generally well-recognised.
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.
Turkish students are a significant cohort at Austrian universities, benefiting from geographic proximity and the large Turkish diaspora community. German-language programmes are accessible for many Turkish applicants who have German through community exposure. The post-graduation RWR Card pathway is particularly attractive for Turkish STEM graduates.
All Republic of Austria routes open to Turkish applicants
General routes available to all nationalities. Click any to read the full guide.
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.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Family Reunification (Familiennachzug)
Residence permit for spouses and children of RWR Card, Blue Card, and permanent residents — spouses receive work rights via the RWR Card Plus.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Red-White-Red Card — Startup Founder
Dedicated RWR Card category for innovative startup founders — business plan assessed by an expert jury, no points calculation needed.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Frequently asked questions
Can Turkish citizens enter Republic of Austria without a visa?+
No. Turkish nationals require a visa to enter Republic of Austria, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Which Republic of Austria visa routes are best suited to Turkish applicants?+
Common general routes used by Turkish applicants include Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte), Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender). Turkish nationals typically move to Republic of Austria through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Federal Ministry of the Interior (Austria), so check each route below for its primary source.
Where do Turkish applicants typically apply for a Republic of Austria visa?+
Applications are typically processed at a Republic of Austria consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Republic of Austria's immigration authority without a consular visit.
Do Turkish citizens need a job offer to move to Republic of Austria?+
Not necessarily. 2 of the 5 Republic of Austria routes we cover can be started without an employer sponsor, while the rest need a sponsoring employer or job offer. If you do not have an offer yet, the no-sponsor routes are the place to start.
Can Turkish citizens get permanent residence in Republic of Austria?+
Yes. 4 of the 5 Republic of Austria routes we cover lead toward settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.