Mitschrift

Immigration of Qualified Workers

Do you work in an area that is considered to be a shortage occupation in Austria? Or do you have a university degree and are well qualified? If so, you can apply for a "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte" or a "Blaue Karte EU" and come to Austria to work. Self-employed individuals can also obtain a "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte."

Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte and Blaue Karte EU

Both the "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte" and the "Blaue Karte EU" are residence permits in the form of a check card. The prerequisites for the "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte" include working in a shortage occupation or having a university degree, a job offer in Austria, and achieving a certain number of points based on an evaluation of your education, language skills, and work experience. For the EU Blue Card, you need a high level of qualification (such as a university degree), a job offer in Austria, and an above-average income.

Application and Renewal of Your Residence Permit

To obtain your residence permit, your future employer can apply for the "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte" or the "Blaue Karte EU" at the Business Immigration Office of the MA 35. Alternatively, you can apply at the Austrian Embassy in your home country. If you are allowed to enter Austria without a visa, you can also submit your application in person at the Business Immigration Office during your legal stay. If your residence permit cannot be issued within your legal stay, you must leave the country and wait for your application to be processed abroad. Both permits are valid for two years, provided you have a valid passport during that period. During this time, you are not allowed to change jobs.

After two years, you can apply for the "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus," which allows you to stay in Austria for another three years and change employers. Your family members can also receive a derived right of residence in the form of a "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus." For further information, skilled workers and self-employed individuals can consult the Business Immigration Office of the MA-35.

Example: The Immigration of Artan and Anna

Let’s consider an example. Artan is 40 years old, married, and has two children. He lives in Albania and is a qualified electrician, a shortage occupation in Austria. Since he is well qualified, he applies to work at an electrical company in Vienna. The company Elektro Blitz is struggling to find qualified installers and is pleased with Artan's application.

His future employer applies for a "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte" for Artan at the Business Immigration Office. Once the "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte" is approved, he moves to Vienna and begins working. His wife, Anna, can now apply for a "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus" for herself and their two children at the embassy in Tirana, citing "family reunification" as the purpose of their stay. When the residence permit is granted, Anna moves to Vienna with the children, allowing her to work and the children to attend school.

To fulfill the integration agreement, Anna attends an integration course to improve her language skills and learn about Austria. She has two years to complete the integration test. After two years of employment, Artan applies to the MA 35 for a "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus," which allows him to change his employer.

Permanent Residence EU and Citizenship

After another three years with the "Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus," Artan becomes eligible for the permanent "Daueraufenthalt EU" residence card. This is available to individuals who have maintained legal residence in Austria for over five years and meet the other requirements. The residence permit is issued for five years and can be renewed at the MA-35. It grants more rights in Austria, including the ability to apply for a council apartment in Vienna.

However, if you live outside the EU or EEA for more than twelve months, you will lose your permanent resident status. After six years of continuous work in Austria, you may also apply for Austrian citizenship. You can find the necessary requirements for this application from the MA-35.

Tip: Watch the video "Family reunification" for more information.