How to Immigrate to Austria

Eligibility

This visa category does not exist in Austrian immigration law. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can work remotely under freedom of movement (register if 3+ months). Non-EU nationals must establish active business via RWR Card for Self-Employed (€100k+ investment, business plan, 50+ points, AMS review) or obtain Settlement Permit – Gainful Employment Excluded (passive residency only, NO work permitted). Working on tourist visa is illegal.

Requirements

Non-EU nationals cannot obtain a visa for remote work in Austria. The only legal pathways are: (1) RWR Card for Self-Employed Key Workers (€100k+ investment, active business, AMS approval, points test), or (2) Settlement Permit – Gainful Employment Excluded (passive residency, NO work including remote work).

Processing Time

N/A – This visa category does not exist in Austrian immigration law.

Validity Period

N/A – This visa does not exist. Monitor migration.gv.at for future announcements.

Eligibility

Must be the spouse or unmarried child under 18 of an Austrian citizen, EU/EEA citizen with stable residence, or person with Settlement Permit/RWR Card. Sponsor must have adequate income and accommodation. German A1 required for spouses (level can sometimes be deferred).

Requirements

Processing Time

3–6 months

Validity Period

1 year, renewable; permanent settlement after 5 years

Eligibility

Route 1 (Self-Employed): €100k+ capital transfer to Austria. Business must create/secure jobs, transfer know-how/new technologies, or be regionally significant. Points on qualifications, experience, language. Applicant must control business (majority ownership or management). Route 2 (Start-Up): €30k–€50k+ investment with 50%+ equity. Business must develop innovative products/services/technologies under approved business plan. 50+ points. Bonus: admission to Austrian business incubator or startup agency funding.

Requirements

Valid passport; detailed coherent business plan demonstrating innovation and economic benefit; evidence of investment capital/equity; articles of association (if company established); proof of qualifications (degree certificates, translated and legalised); work experience proof (references, employment records); language certificates (German or English, internationally recognised); health insurance covering all risks; proof of adequate accommodation; police clearance; proof of financial subsistence (salary from company or personal assets). AMS issues expertise within 3 weeks.

Processing Time

4–8 weeks standard once complete application submitted (AMS: 3 weeks; residence authority: within 8-week total window). Total: 3–5 months including document gathering and Visa D collection.

Validity Period

RWR Card (both routes): 24 months. After 21 months (if business requirements met): RWR Card Plus – 3 years, free labour market access. Business must be successfully realised: operating, providing salary, financially viable. After 5 years: Long-Term Residence – EU (permanent). Austrian citizenship: After 10 years (6 years exceptional).

Eligibility

Third-country national (non-EU/EEA/Swiss). Regular passive income ≥ twice standard reference rates (~€2,435/month single; ~€3,844/month couple – 2025/2026). Income sources: Austrian or foreign pensions, business profits abroad, dividends, rental income – NO employment income. Quota place must be available in current year. Comprehensive health insurance covering all risks. Adequate accommodation. German A1 language proficiency at initial application. Clean criminal record.

Requirements

Valid passport; birth certificate (translated and apostilled); proof of regular income: pension statements, investment income, bank certificates – must cover 12+ months; alternatively ~€50k+ liquid funds on accessible account; comprehensive private health insurance (equivalent to Austrian public coverage); lease contract or title deed; German A1 certificate (Goethe-Institut or ÖSD); police clearance from home country and any country of 12+ months residence; passport photo (45×35mm); application in person at Austrian embassy/consulate; fee ~€160–€218

Processing Time

Embassy appointment: Several weeks wait. Application forwarded to Austria: Consulate reviews and forwards to residence authority. Decision: Several months – quota availability must be confirmed. D-Visa collection: After approval, obtain Visa D to enter Austria and collect permit card. Total: 4–8+ months.

Validity Period

Initial permit: 12 months. Renewal: 3 years if A2 German (Module 1) completed and 2 years residence proven. No work rights – residency only, NO employment including remote work. After 5 years: eligible for Long-Term Residence – EU (permanent). Austrian citizenship: After 10 years (6 years exceptional) – requires B1 German. Schengen benefit: Visa-free travel across 27 Schengen countries (up to 90 days per 180 days outside Austria). Healthcare: May register with ÖGK.

Eligibility

Accepted by recognised Austrian university, university of applied sciences, or accredited private university. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need no visa. Third-country nationals need Visa D or Residence Permit – Student. Must be enrolled full-time. Language: German B2/C1 for German-taught courses; IELTS 6.0–7.0 for English-taught. Academic progress: 16 ECTS/year for renewals. Module 1 Integration Agreement (A2 German) required for renewal after 24 months.

Requirements

Valid passport; letter of admission/acceptance from Austrian university; proof of financial means (bank statements, scholarship letters, guarantee letter); health insurance valid in Austria – switch to ÖGK after arrival; proof of accommodation; academic transcripts; language test results; passport photo (45×35mm); birth certificate (translated); application fee ~€100–€160; register at local Meldeamt within 3 working days

Processing Time

Visa D: ~15–30 days at most consulates. Apply no more than 3 months before departure. Residence Permit – Student: 3–6 months from Austrian authorities. Apply after arrival on Visa D, before it expires.

Validity Period

Visa D: 91 days–6 months (cannot be extended). Residence Permit – Student: Initially 12 months, renewable annually. Renewals require 16 ECTS/year progress. After 3 years: may be issued for 3 years if Module 1 completed. Post-graduation: 12-month job search extension. After 5 years: eligible for Long-Term Residence – EU.

Eligibility

Very Highly Qualified Workers: 70+ points (education, experience, language, age) - includes researchers, senior academics, artists. No labour market test. Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations: Must appear on official annual shortage list (IT, engineering, healthcare, construction). 55+ points. Other Key Workers: Job offer from Austrian employer; 55+ points; minimum €3,465/month gross (2026); AMS labour market test. Graduates of Austrian Universities: Completed degree at accredited Austrian university with job offer - no points test or salary threshold. Job Seeker Visa: 70+ points for 6-month job search visa.

Requirements

Valid passport; completed application form (submitted in person at Austrian embassy/consulate); employment contract or binding job offer from Austrian employer; proof of qualifications/educational certificates (officially translated and legalised); points test evidence (work experience references, language certificates); health insurance covering all risks in Austria; proof of adequate accommodation (lease contract); proof of financial means; criminal background check (home country + any country of 12+ months residence); application fee ~€218

Processing Time

8 weeks statutory decision deadline from full application submission. AMS has 3 weeks within that window to issue expertise. Apply well in advance of intended start date.

Validity Period

RWR Card: 24 months, tied to named employer. After 21 months: RWR Card Plus (3 years, free labour market access). After 5 years: Long-Term Residence – EU (permanent). Austrian citizenship: After 10 years (6 years exceptional). Integration Agreement: German A2 (Module 1) and B1 (Module 2) required.