Red-White-Red Card for Self-Employed Key Workers
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Building a business in Austria? There's a visa made for you.
The Red-White-Red Card for Self-Employed Key Workers is Austria's residence and work permit for founders and investors from outside the EU. Unlike most work visas, this one does not score you on points or need a job offer. You qualify on what your business brings to Austria: money invested, jobs created, new skills, or a boost to the local area. Any one can be enough. Your business plan is the heart of it. mypaperwork guides you through every step, from checking if you qualify to preparing a strong application, with experts reviewing it before you submit.
Is this the path for you?
You qualify if your business brings real value to the Austrian economy in at least one of these four ways.
Investment in Austria
A transfer of at least 100,000 EUR in investment capital into Austria. This is a firm minimum for the investment route.
Creating or securing jobs
Your business activities create new jobs or secure existing employment opportunities in Austria.
Bringing new skills
Your business transfers advanced technology, industrial know-how, or highly specialized skills to the local market.
Regional significance
Your business is of considerable economic significance for the specific Austrian region where you locate.
Is your business a fit?
Take our quick eligibility check to see if your business meets the requirements for the Self-Employed Key Worker route.
How it works
We make the complex Austrian immigration process simple and transparent.
Start your check
Run our quick eligibility check and set up your personal dashboard.
Start your check
Run our quick eligibility check and set up your personal dashboard.
- ✓ Guided start
- ✓ Personalised dashboard
Follow the guided steps
Access your document checklist and receive tailored guidance for your business plan.
Follow the guided steps
Access your document checklist and receive tailored guidance for your business plan.
- ✓ Multilingual instructions
- ✓ Document tracking
Expert review
Our Austrian immigration specialists compile review your entire file before you submit it.
Expert review
Our Austrian immigration specialists compile review your entire file before you submit it.
- ✓ Forms filled for you
- ✓ Professional feedback
Submit and track
Get submission-ready files and track your appointment details.
Submit and track
Get submission-ready files and track your appointment details.
- ✓ Book a Buddy support
- ✓ Appointment reminders
Our core service.
Everything you need to prepare your application with confidence.
Red-White-Red Card Application Support Package
Complete guidance from eligibility check to final submission files.
Free eligibility check
See whether your business fits the route in minutes.
Personalised document checklist
The exact documents for your case, including your business plan, with progress tracking.
AI-assisted form preparation
Forms auto-fill using your data, with errors and missing fields flagged before submission.
Expert review by specialists
Every application reviewed by Austrian immigration experts before submission.
Trusted support
We help you navigate the Austrian system without the stress.
Get started today
starting per application
Get started Learn more about our pricingPrices vary by plan. Premium and Lifetime plans available with additional support.
100% money-back guarantee — if your application is not approved, you get a full refund.
Book a Buddy
Need someone to accompany you to your appointments at the Austrian authorities, such as MA35? Our team can join you to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Why choose mypaperwork
We take the complexity out of your Austrian application process.
Guided eligibility check
We check your business against the actual Austrian economic criteria. No points calculator needed.
Personalised checklist
Get a clear list of required documents with straightforward, multilingual instructions.
Human expert review
Our specialists review your completed application file to catch errors before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about the Self-Employed Key Workers route.
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No. Unlike most work routes, the Self-Employed Key Workers route does not use a points system. You qualify based on the economic value your business brings to Austria.
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The Austrian authorities review your business plan and decide whether your business brings sufficient economic value to the country.
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If you qualify via the investment route, you must transfer at least 100,000 EUR in investment capital. However, investment is only one of four routes. You can also qualify by creating jobs, bringing new skills or technology, or showing regional significance.
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The Start-Up Founder route is a points-based system designed for innovative startups with lower company capital (30,000 EUR) and at least 50% equity. The Self-Employed Key Workers route has no points system and focuses on broader economic value, such as a minimum 100,000 EUR investment, job creation, or regional impact.
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The Red-White-Red Card is valid for 24 months. After this period, you can apply for a settlement permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung) if you continue to meet the requirements.
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Yes. A change of purpose to an employed route is possible if you meet the specific requirements of that route.
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You typically need a valid passport, a passport photo, health insurance, a detailed business plan, evidence of investment or job creation, and proof of your qualifications.
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The Austrian government charges an application fee of approximately 218 EUR. This fee is separate from mypaperwork support plans.
Ready to build your business in Austria?
Start your free eligibility check today. We offer a 100% money-back guarantee if your application is not approved.
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