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Austria · Work visa
EU Blue Card
- Processing
- 8-12 weeks
- Cost
- From €160
- Validity
- 24 months
Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a university degree and a matching job offer in Austria. It can lead to long-term residence and mobility within the EU.
Requirements
- Recognized university degree (at least 3 years of study)
- Binding job offer or employment contract matching the qualification
- Gross annual salary of at least EUR 55,678 (2026), roughly EUR 3,977 gross per month across Austria’s 14 annual payments
- The role must correspond to the degree held
- A labor market test showing the AMS found no equally qualified registered jobseeker for the role
Time and cost
- Processing time
- 8-12 weeks
- Validity
- 24 months (renewable)
- Cost
From €160
Required
- About €120 application fee
- About €20 issuance fee
- About €20 card fee
- Path to residency
- Red-White-Red Card Plus after 24 months; EU long-term residence / permanent settlement after 5 years
Documents
Valid passport
Valid for the duration of the intended stay
University degree certificate
With recognition or equivalency where required
Employment contract or binding job offer
Stating salary, role and duration
Proof of accommodation
Lease or ownership document in Austria
Health insurance
Covering all risks in Austria
Passport photo
Recent biometric photograph
Tips
- The salary threshold and labor market test are separate. Meeting the salary threshold does not waive the AMS check
- After 24 months you can move to a Red-White-Red Card Plus with full labor market access
- Time on a Blue Card counts toward EU long-term residence after 5 years