Residence permits, work permits, EU Blue Cards, citizenship applications and visa advice for foreigners.
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Some countries offer residence permits linked to property investment (Golden Visa). An immigration lawyer can advise on thresholds and eligibility.
Processing times vary by country — typically 1–6 months. Your lawyer can track the application and respond to any requests for additional documentation.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Austria's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsAustria's immigration framework for non-EEA nationals is governed by the Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz (NAG) and the Auslaenderbeschaeftigungsgesetz (AuslBG). The key system is the Rot-Weiss-Rot Karte (RWR-Karte), a points-based system significantly reformed in 2022 (BGBl. I Nr. 56/2022) to attract skilled workers.
| Category | Key Criteria | Quota? | Processing Time | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Highly Qualified Workers (12 AuslBG) | Points score min 70/100; qualifications, experience, language, age | No quota | 8 weeks | ~EUR 160 |
| Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations (12a AuslBG) | Job offer in Mangelberuf list; salary min 50% ASVG ceiling (~EUR 2,300/mth 2025); points min 50/75 | No quota | 8 weeks | ~EUR 160 |
| Other Key Workers (12b AuslBG) | Job offer; salary min 60% ASVG ceiling (~EUR 2,760/mth); degree required | Annual quota (2025: 2,780 places) | 8 weeks | ~EUR 160 |
| Start-Up Founders (24a NAG) | Innovative business plan endorsed by AWS; self-sufficient funding | No quota | 8-12 weeks | ~EUR 160 |
Requires: (1) university degree (min 3 years); (2) job offer; (3) salary min 1.5x average gross wage (2025 threshold approximately EUR 4,950/month gross; shortage occupations: 1.2x = ~EUR 3,960/month). Valid 2 years, renewable. After 21 months, eligible for Blue Card of another EU state. After 5 years: Daueraufenthalt-EG (permanent EC settlement permit).
The AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) updates the Mangelberufsliste annually. 2025 nationwide shortages include: Krankenpflege (nursing), Kindergartenpaedagog*innen (early education), Kraftfahrzeugmechaniker*innen, Maurer*innen, Schweisser*innen, IT specialists (software developers, cybersecurity), and Elektroinstallateur*innen. Applicants in listed shortage occupations bypass the quota and require fewer points.
Priya, an Indian national with a B.Tech in Computer Science and 4 years experience, received a job offer from a Vienna fintech company at EUR 5,500/month gross. She applied for an EU Blue Card via the Austrian Botschaft in New Delhi. AMS confirmation waived as Mangelberuf. Priya submitted apostilled degree, employment contract, health insurance confirmation, Wohnungsnachweis. Processing time: 7 weeks. She received her Blue Card (2 years, extendable), registering her Hauptwohnsitz in Vienna within 3 days of arrival as required by the Meldegesetz. After 21 months, Priya transferred to a German Blue Card position, with her Austrian tenure counting toward long-term residence.
