Republic of Austria visas
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.
5 routes · 2 without a sponsor · 4 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
migration.gv.at — Official immigration portal ↗ · Federal Ministry of the Interior (Austria)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Austrian Bar Association (ÖRAK) — Regulates Rechtsanwälte authorised to provide legal advice on immigration matters in Austria.
Visa routes (5)
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.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 April 2026
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.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 April 2026
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.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 18 April 2026
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 sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 April 2026
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 sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 April 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Austria have?+
We cover 5 Republic of Austria visa routes across the work, study, family, business, and residence categories. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Austria visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
2 of the 5 Republic of Austria routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Austria visas lead to permanent residence?+
4 of the 5 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
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We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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