Republic of Austria · Processing time
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
How long does the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) take to process in Austria?
Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations does not publish a central processing time for this route. Use the current Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Source checked against Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations on 10 September 2026.
Typical wait
Not centrally published
from complete application
Government fees
EUR 218 application fee.
Last checked
10 September 2026
Reality vs official timing
- Official clock
- No central processing clock
- Delay trigger
- No fixed delay point - use route guidance
- Source checked
- 10 September 2026
Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations does not publish a central processing time. Use the current Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
What is the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)?
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.
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.
- Sponsorship: You need a job offer or employer sponsor in Republic of Austria.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residence.
- Typical permit length: 24 months; then RWR Card Plus after at least 21 months of qualifying employment during the preceding 24 months.
- Indicative government fees: EUR 218 application fee.
Priority and fast-track options
The earlier range was removed after an official-source review because it was an editorial estimate, depended on a live/local queue, or combined separate appointment and decision stages.
Official source
Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/skilled-workers-in-shortage-occupations/
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) processing time dataset", https://visaatlas.org/processing-times/austria/red-white-red-card. Last checked 10 September 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/processing-times
Primary source (1)
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) take to process?+
Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations does not publish a central processing time for this route. Use the current Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
When does the Not centrally published clock start?+
Because no central processing time is published, there is no fixed start point. Contact the relevant authority once your application is submitted.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
The earlier range was removed after an official-source review because it was an editorial estimate, depended on a live/local queue, or combined separate appointment and decision stages.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) application as delayed?+
Because no central processing time is published for this route, there is no fixed point at which it counts as late. If your wait runs well beyond comparable cases, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Duplicate chasing tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.