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 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.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Austria have?+
We cover 5 Republic of Austria visa routes in these categories: skilled migration, sponsored work, study, family, and entrepreneur. 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.
Need tailored advice?
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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