If you are a skilled professional without a job offer yet, the Austria job seeker visa lets you enter the country for six months and look for work on the ground. It is the first step toward the Red-White-Red Card, Austria’s combined work and residence permit.
Not permitted
None
6 months
About EUR 150
Austria is a popular destination for international students who want to study at well-regarded universities.
Moving to Austria on the strength of a job offer from an Austrian employer, and then an Austrian work permit, is one of the faster routes into the country.
Austria issues Schengen short-stay visas that are often valid for up to six months, but they allow a maximum stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. Holders can travel and sightsee, but cannot work or study full time except in limited cases.
1Check your eligibility and choose a route
2Gather your evidence and confirm the points you can claim
3Prepare and certify documents, then book the visa appointment
4Submit the application and plan your arrival
No. The visa allows you to look for work only. Once you have a contract, you can apply for a work and residence permit.
No. If you do not find a job within the six months, you have to leave Austria.
It is not compulsory, but German and English certificates earn points and make you easier to hire.
Usually not at the job seeker stage. Family reunification becomes possible once you hold a work and residence permit.
Have your Austria job seeker profile reviewed free of charge. Our team checks your degree, your points score and your funds before you file, so you find out where the file is weak while there is still time to fix it.
Looking for the Canada visitor visa rather than Austria? That is covered in full on our Canada Visitor Visa page — requirements, documents, fees, proof of funds and how to extend your stay.
