Red White Red Card – Very Highly Qualified Workers
Austria's fast-track work permit for exceptional talent with top-tier qualifications
The Red White Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers is Austria’s premium immigration route for third-country nationals with exceptional qualifications—senior executives, researchers, scientists, and specialists with advanced degrees or outstanding professional achievements. This category offers faster processing with no labour market test.
This permit provides:
- 24-month work and residence authorization with no labour market test required
- Job Seeker Visa option—search for employment in Austria for up to 6 months
- Upgrade to unrestricted labour market access after 24 months in case of full 21 months of employment
- Clear pathway to permanent residence and family reunification
Who qualifies
- Exceptional qualifications – advanced degree, significant achievements, or specialized expertise
- Valid job offer from an Austrian employer matching your qualifications
- Minimum salary meeting the applicable collective bargaining agreement (typically higher brackets)
- 70+ points across education, experience, language, age, and achievements
- No labour market test required
Credit points (minimum 70 required)
The points system is based on several criteria, and applicants must score at least 70 points to be eligible:
- Education level (higher education, master’s or doctoral degrees)
- Work experience (specialized or long-term experience in the field)
- Age (younger applicants receive more points)
- Achievements
- Language proficiency: German, English, French, Spanish, Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian
Higher threshold: The 70-point requirement (vs. 55 for Key Employees) targets top-tier professionals with exceptional backgrounds.
Job seeker visa option
Unlike other Red White Red Card categories, Very Highly Qualified applicants can enter Austria to search for employment:
Job Seeker Visa (Category D):
- Valid for 6 months
- Requires proof of 70+ points before arrival
- Allows job searching in Austria
- Once employed, convert to Red White Red Card without leaving Austria
This option is ideal for professionals who meet the points threshold but haven’t yet secured employment.
How we help
Initial Assessment & Points Calculation
We calculate your points across education, experience, achievements, language, and age to confirm you meet the 70-point threshold. We assess whether the Job Seeker Visa route or direct application is most appropriate for your situation.
Job Seeker Visa Support (if applicable)
If you haven't secured employment yet, we prepare your Job Seeker Visa application to Austrian authorities, compiling evidence of your exceptional qualifications and financial means for your 6-month job search in Austria.
Employer Coordination
We work with your Austrian employer to ensure the position, remuneration, and employment contract comply with Austrian labour law and the applicable collective bargaining agreement for your qualification level.
Document Preparation
We ensure all degrees, research publications, patents, work references, and certificates meet Austrian translation and legalization standards, handling apostilles and diploma recognition where needed.
Application Filing
We prepare and submit your Red White Red Card application to the immigration authority on your behalf. Unlike Key Employees, no labour market test is required—the AMS verifies your qualifications and points, significantly reducing processing time.
Post-Arrival Services & Upgrade Path
We guide you through visa collection, Meldezettel registration, residence card pickup, and social insurance enrollment, then handle your upgrade to the Red White Red Card Plus after 21 months.
For employers
For Austrian companies seeking to hire exceptional international talent, we provide:
- Legal consultation and eligibility verification for Very Highly Qualified status
- Preparation of employer statements and employment contracts
- Compliance verification with collective bargaining agreements
- Coordination of documentation and application process
- Representation before Austrian authorities until approval
This category is ideal when your business needs top-tier specialists, senior executives, or researchers with exceptional qualifications unavailable in the local market.
Advantages
For Employees:
- 24-month work and residence permit with no labour market test
- Job Seeker Visa option—search for employment in Austria before securing a position
- Faster approval process—no waiting for AMS labour market verification
- Upgrade to RWR Card Plus after 24 months in case 21 months of employment can be proven (unrestricted labour market access)
- Family reunification rights—spouse and children can join with work authorization
- Recognition of exceptional qualifications and achievements
- Clear pathway to permanent residence and Austrian citizenship
For Employers:
- Streamlined hiring for top-tier international talent
- No labour market test requirement—significantly faster processing
- Access to exceptional professionals with advanced qualifications
- Reduced risk of rejection when legal requirements are met
- Immigration law compliance managed by specialists
Key differences: Very Highly Qualified vs. Key Employees
Factor |
Very Highly Qualified |
Key Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Points Required |
70 out of 100 |
55 out of 90 |
| Labour Market Test |
None |
Full test (AMS must confirm no equally qualified EU/EEA candidate) |
| Target Professionals |
Exceptional qualifications, researchers, senior executives |
General skilled professionals across all industries |
| Job Seeker Visa |
Yes (6 months to find employment) |
No |
| Language requirements |
No |
Yes |
| Processing Speed |
Faster (no labour test) |
Longer (requires AMS labour market verification) |
| Typical Salary Level |
Higher collective agreement brackets |
€3,465/month minimum (2026) |
| Best For |
Top-tier specialists, PhDs, researchers, senior management |
Skilled professionals with standard qualifications |
Why Choose Oberhammer Immigration Advocates
Specialized expertise
We focus on Austrian immigration law
High approval rate
Proven success with Very Highly Qualified applications
Points optimization
We maximize your score across all criteria
Dual representation
We represent both employer and employee for seamless coordination
Job Seeker Visa support
Complete guidance if you're entering Austria to find employment
Multilingual team
English, German, and other languages available
Transparent pricing
Clear, fixed-fee options with no hidden costs
Ready to pursue Austria's premium work permit?
Whether you're an exceptional professional seeking opportunities in Austria or an employer hiring top international talent, we manage your Very Highly Qualified application from start to finish.
Office
Lothringerstrasse 8/5, 1040 Vienna, Austria