Your trade is in demand. Austria has a visa for that.

The Red-White-Red Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations gives qualified tradespeople and professionals a clear, direct path to living and working in Austria. No labor market test, no guesswork.
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Who is this Red-White-Red Card for?

This path is for third-country nationals, people from outside the EU, who have completed vocational training in a profession that Austria has identified as a shortage occupation. You need a binding job offer, a salary that meets the relevant collective agreement, and at least 55 points under Austria's points system. Austria publishes a national shortage list and regional lists each year. Registered nurses, electricians, IT specialists, welders, and construction trades have featured consistently. If your occupation appears on either list, this is your route in.

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What this path means for you

No labor market test

Austria does not require your employer to prove no local candidate was available. That removes a common bottleneck and means your application can move faster.

Full right to work

Your card is valid for 24 months and tied to your named employer. After 21 months in work, you can upgrade to the RWR Card Plus for unlimited labour market access.

Path to permanent residence

After five years of legal residence in Austria, you can apply for the Daueraufenthalt EU, the most secure long-term status available under Austrian law.

Nigerian nurse. Real world example for the Red-White-Red Card for shortage occupation.

Real world example.

A registered nurse from Nigeria with a completed degree, five years of hospital experience, and basic German qualifications comfortably clears 55 points.

Serbian roofer. Real world example for the Red-White-Red Card for shortage occupation.

Real world example

A roofer from Serbia with a completed apprenticeship, over ten years of experience, and basic German scores 70 points and qualifies easily.

Check your score with the free RWR Card points calculator →

Calculate points

How it works

1

Check your points

We confirm you meet the 55-point threshold and that your occupation is on the current national or regional shortage list before you spend anything.

2

Prepare your documents

You receive a personalized checklist covering your training certificate, work experience records, language diploma, job offer letter, and identity documents.

3

Expert review

A human specialist reviews your complete application file against MA35 and regional authority standards before anything is submitted.

4

Receive your card

Once approved, your Red-White-Red Card is issued, your employer is confirmed, and you are ready to start work in Austria.

How mypaperwork helps

  • Checks whether your occupation is on the current national or regional shortage list
  • Calculates your points against the 55-point threshold
  • Guides you through all required documents, including translations, filling the complicated forms for you
  • Human expert reviews the full application before submission
  • Supports you through the MA35 or regional authority appointment process
  • Handles communication with Austrian authorities

Simple, transparent pricing

Your support through your Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers in shortage occupations.

Red-White-Red Card Application Support

Full application support with expert review and a money-back guarantee.

Points verification

Against the 55-point threshold

Shortage list check

National and regional lists

Document management

Checklists and translation support

Expert human review

Final check before submission

Appointment support

Full appointment preparation and in-person support

Your path to the RWR Card

€67/month in 12 easy payments

or €799

Calculate your points - it's free Learn more about our pricing

*Prices 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.

Common questions

What others have already learned about the RWR Card for skilled workers

It is a residence and work permit for non-EU nationals who have completed vocational training in a profession that Austria has designated as a shortage occupation. It is valid for 24 months and tied to a specific employer, with the option to upgrade to an unrestricted permit after 21 months of employment.

Austria's Federal Minister of Labour and Economics publishes the list annually in the Fachkräfteverordnung. There is a national list and separate regional lists. Common categories in recent years include healthcare professions, skilled trades, and IT. We will work with you to check the current list and ensure your profession and experience is included.

Formal recognition is only required for regulated professions, those where Austrian law requires specific recognized credentials before you can practice. This includes healthcare roles such as nursing, as well as teaching positions. For most trades, no formal equivalence exam is needed. When you apply for the Red-White-Red Card, the authority assesses your qualification based on the documents you submit. mypaperwork will help you to confirm and showcase your eligibility to authorities.

Yes. A binding job offer from an Austrian employer is a firm requirement for this category. The salary must meet the minimum set by the relevant collective agreement. Your employer will also need to submit an Arbeitgebererklärung (employer's declaration, confirming the details of your future employment) as part of the application. mypaperwork is there to support you throughout this process.

Processing times vary by authority, but typically run 8 to 12 weeks once a complete application is submitted. The AMS reviews the points calculation and qualification first, then the residence authority issues the card. mypaperwork helps ensure your file is complete before submission to avoid delays and handles your communication with authorities.

mypapeworks guides you through the full application process, from start to finish. So you can move forward with confidence. mypaperwork provides a points calculator to confirm your eligibility, checks whether your occupation is on the current shortage list, works to prepare your documents with multilingual instructions, and has a human support and expert review on your complete application before it goes to the authority.

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