After graduation: the question every student asks
Graduation day in Austria feels like a finish line — and a starting point at the same time.
You’ve written the thesis, passed the exams, celebrated with friends. And then, usually very quietly, the next question appears:
“Can I stay here and build my life?”
If you’re a Ukrainian student in Austria, you may have heard classmates talk about employer-sponsored visas, being tied to one job, or waiting years before they’re allowed to switch employers freely. It’s easy to assume that this is simply how things work for everyone.
But if you hold an Ausweis für Vertriebene (Blue Card for Ukrainians), your situation is different — and in many cases, much more flexible.
The path most international students have to take
For most non-EU international students, staying in Austria after graduation follows a strict structure.
After finishing their studies, they must:
Find a job
Have an employer apply for a Rot-Weiß-Rot (RWR) Card
Stay tied to that employer for up to two years
During this phase:
Your right to stay depends on one company
Losing or changing jobs can put your residence permit at risk
Switching employers requires a new RWR application
Full job freedom only comes later, with the RWR+ Card
This system works — but it can feel fragile, especially early in a career. Many graduates describe this time as one where they feel capable professionally, but restricted legally.
Why Ukrainian students are in a different situation
If you’re a Ukrainian student with Temporary Protection (Ausweis für Vertriebene), Austrian law already grants you something crucial:
free access to the Austrian labor market.
That single detail changes the entire process.
It means:
You can work without employer sponsorship
You can change jobs freely
Your residence is not tied to one company
And most importantly:
👉 You may not need to go through the employer-sponsored RWR Card at all.
If you have an Ausweis für Vertriebene, this is the when things get easier
For many young Ukrainians in Austria, the question after graduation isn’t abstract — it’s deeply personal:
“Can I really stay here long-term?”
The good news is: yes, you can.
Thanks to recent legal clarifications, the path to the Red-White-Red Plus Card (RWR+) has become realistic and achievable for students and young professionals who work alongside their studies.
This isn’t about perfect timing or special exceptions. It’s about recognizing real life.
What really counts now: your insured work months
At the heart of this path is one clear requirement:
12 months of fully insured employment in Austria within the last 24 months
That’s it.
No typical RWR points system.
No shortage occupation requirement.
No specific degree needed.
No employer sponsorship.
Just real work, legally registered and fully insured under Austrian social insurance (ÖGK), within the last two years.
For many Ukrainian students, this is a turning point — because it means the jobs you already worked can finally count.
Your part-time job.
Your student job.
Your full-time role alongside your studies.
If it was insured, it brings you closer to the RWR+.
Test out our RWR+ points calculator, updated for both the 2025 and 2026 calculations.
Why this is such a big shift for students
Let’s be honest: most students in Austria work.
For a long time, that work didn’t clearly translate into long-term security.
Now, that has changed.
If your employment was:
legally registered,
fully insured,
and above the minimum income threshold,
then those months matter.
Even if you:
changed jobs,
worked irregular hours,
balanced work and university,
or combined multiple roles.
This system finally reflects student reality — and supports people who are actively integrating and contributing.
A system that finally matches reality
Thousands of Ukrainians in Austria are young, educated, multilingual, and motivated.
You study here.
You work here.
You’re building your life here.
And now, the system finally offers a clear and realistic way to stay.
Your future no longer depends on one employer or one perfect contract — but on the effort you’re already making.
Every insured month counts.
Every legal job matters.
Every step brings you closer to long-term stability.
How mypaperwork.ai supports you through the full application
What we see again and again is this:
Ukrainian students are doing everything right — but they’re unsure when to apply, what counts, and how to prove it correctly.
This is where mypaperwork.ai supports you from start to finish:
We review your employment and insurance history
We calculate which months qualify — and which don’t
We flag gaps that could cause delays or rejection
We tell you when you’re eligible — and when it’s better to wait
We guide you step by step through the entire RWR+ application
So your everyday effort doesn’t get lost in paperwork — and your application reflects your real situation clearly and correctly.
Same graduation, different legal reality
Ukrainian students and other international students often:
Sit in the same lecture halls
Work similar student jobs
Graduate on the same day
But legally, their paths can look very different.
Understanding that difference — and using it correctly — can mean:
Less stress
More freedom
A faster route to long-term residence
And that’s exactly what we want for you.
FAQs: RWR+ Card for Ukrainian students in Austria
Yes. Ukrainian students in Austria with Temporary Protection (Ausweis für Vertriebene) can apply for the RWR+ Card if they meet all official requirements, including 12 months of fully insured employment in Austria within the last 24 months.
Yes. Part-time work counts as long as it was fully insured under Austrian social insurance (ÖGK) and met the minimum income threshold.
No. Changing employers, irregular hours, or multiple jobs do not affect eligibility. What matters is insurance coverage, not the employer or job type.
Need support gathering your documents for your RWR+ application? mypaperwork.ai is here to help.
Yes. For 2025 and 2026, only fully insured jobs earning at least €551.10 per month count toward the required 12 months. Jobs below this threshold do not qualify.
Need help calculating this according to the government standards, try our free RWR+ Calculator for Ukrainians.
Only if they are paid, fully insured, and above the minimum income threshold. Unpaid or marginal internships usually do not count.
Book a free advisory call with us to get clarity on your specific case. We're here to help!
Yes. Ukrainian students with Temporary Protection may apply while still enrolled, as long as they already meet the employment, income, and insurance requirements.
Need clarity on the requirements? Our team at mypaperwork.ai is here to support you.
No. A university degree is not required for the RWR+ Card when applying from Temporary Protection (Blue Card for Ukrainians) status.
No. Only paid, fully insured employment above the minimum income threshold counts.
The most common mistake is counting uninsured or low-income months that do not qualify, or applying too early without checking eligibility.
To move forward with your application with clarity and confidence, get started today on your RWR+ Application.
Ready to apply?
Take the first step now, mypaperwork.ai will support you along the way!
Your success is our success. If your application isn’t approved, your fee is fully refunded.
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