Residence Permit

The „Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“ residence permit is a immigration system for third-country nationals (persons who are neither EU citizens nor other EEA citizens nor Swiss nationals). The „Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“ entitles the holder to temporary residence with limited access to the labour market. It is issued to skilled workers in shortage occupations and other groups of people.

The „Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“ is usually issued to skilled workers in shortage occupations for up to two years. Subsequently, they can switch to a „Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus“ if they meet the legal requirements.

Holders of a „Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“ for skilled workers in shortage occupations are also entitled to engage in self-employed work if this is secondary to their salaried employment and all legal requirements for its pursuit are met.

In principle, the general requirements for the granting of residence permits must be met (with the exception of the legal entitlement to local accommodation in accordance with § 11 (2) Z 2 NAG and sufficient means of subsistence in accordance with § 11 (2) Z 4 NAG). In order to be granted a ‘Red-White-Red Card’ for skilled workers in shortage occupations, the following additional special requirements must be met:

• Completed vocational training in a shortage occupation as defined by regulation of the Federal Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs and
• Achieving the required minimum points for skilled workers in shortage occupations (at least 55 points) and

Permanent job for which the minimum wage stipulated by law, regulation or collective agreement is paid. If skilled workers already employed by the company receive a higher wage than that stipulated by law, regulation or collective agreement, the same wage must be granted.