Austria
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte)
Also known as: RWR Card
- Pass mark
- 55–70 pts
- Max points
- 100
- Model
- Fixed threshold
- Leads to
- Temporary → PR
- Path to PR
- 5 yr
- Job offer
- Yes
- Language test
- No
- Processing
- Varies
Points system
Qualifications
—Completed degree (especially STEM/MINT), recognised skilled-trade qualification, research output, and awards.
Work experience
—Years of relevant work experience; senior and management roles score higher.
Language
—German and English at CEFR levels (A1–B2+).
Age
—Younger applicants score more; tapers with age.
Study / research in Austria
—Bonus for a degree earned, or research conducted, in Austria.
Path to permanent residency
- Grants PR directly: No
- Years to permanent residency: 5
RWR Card (valid 24 months) → Red-White-Red Card plus (unrestricted labour-market access) → long-term residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) after 5 years.
Visas & streams
- Very Highly Qualified Workers
- Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
- Other Key Workers
- Start-up Founders
- Graduates of Austrian universities
- Regular Workers
Eligibility requirements
- Meet the points threshold for the chosen category
- A binding job offer meeting the minimum-salary rule (except Very Highly Qualified, who get a 6-month job-seeker visa)
- Recognised qualifications matching the role
Disqualifiers
- Below the category's points threshold
- Salary below the equalisation reference rate
- No qualifying job offer (for categories that require one)
Recent changes
- 2022-10-01
RWR reform lowered some thresholds and salary floors and broadened eligibility (e.g. for graduates and shortage occupations).
- 2024-2026
Minimum-income requirements aligned to the annually-updated social reference rates.
Notes
Points thresholds by category: Very Highly Qualified Workers 70/100; Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations and Other Key Workers ~55/90; Start-up Founders, Graduates of Austrian universities, and Regular Workers have separate (generally lower) bars. Exact per-factor weights vary by category — see the official criteria.
EasyPassport is a document-organization tool focused on citizenship by descent. This page is reference research, not legal or immigration advice. Points tables, thresholds, and salary floors change frequently — always verify with the official program authority before acting.