Hiring with the Red-White-Red Card: Requirements & Process in Austria

Basic Eligibility Requirements for the Red-White-Red Card

The Red-White-Red Card is designed for skilled non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have a concrete job offer in Austria and meet the points-based criteria for their specific category (e.g., Very Highly Qualified Workers, Shortage Occupation Workers, Other Key Workers, Start-up Founders). It’s ideal for professionals with relevant qualifications and experience, and for employers who need to fill roles where local or EU hiring isn’t sufficient.

Employee Requirements

• Relevant education or vocational training that matches the role
• Professional experience in the field (amount depends on the visa category)
• A binding job offer from an Austrian employer that meets salary thresholds
• Sufficient points under the applicable category (e.g., 55–70 points)
• No criminal record and evidence of good character
• Health insurance valid in Austria (public or private)
• Accommodation in Austria (can be provided after contract signing)

Required Documents for Employees

• Valid passport
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• CV and proof of work experience
• Degree certificates, diplomas, and vocational training documents
• Professional licenses (if required in the occupation)
• Proof of language skills (German and/or English, depending on category)
• Evidence of health insurance and accommodation
• Recent passport photos
• Police clearance certificate

Required Documents for Employers

• Completed Employer’s Declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung)
• Detailed job description outlining duties and skill requirements
• Confirmation of the offered salary meeting thresholds and collective agreement rules
• Proof of company registration and business activity
• For “Other Key Workers,” cooperation with the AMS labour market test (if required)

Employer Requirements for the Red-White-Red Card

• Be a legally registered Austrian employer with proof of business activity in Austria.
• Provide a binding full-time employment contract for the candidate, matching their qualifications and responsibilities.
• Ensure the salary meets or exceeds the category-specific threshold and is consistent with any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• Submit a properly completed Employer’s Declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) detailing job duties, salary, qualification match, and agreement compliance.
• Where applicable (such as the “Other Key Workers” category), cooperate with the Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS) labour-market test to confirm no suitable local/EU candidate is available.
• Recognise that during the first 24 months of the permit, the employee is bound to the approved employer and role; any change of employer requires a fresh application.
• Prepare to supply all supporting documents in German or English, and ensure translations/attestations are completed if needed.
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Step-by-Step Process for Sponsoring a Red-White-Red Card in Austria

1. The employer secures a binding job offer for a third-country national that meets the salary threshold and aligns with the candidate’s qualifications.
2. The employer prepares and submits the Employer’s Declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung), outlining the job details, salary, qualification match, and that the role meets the collective bargaining rules.
3. If the role falls under the “Other Key Workers” category, initiate a labour-market test with the Public Employment Service (AMS) to confirm no suitable EU/EEA candidate is available.
4. The employer gathers all required supporting documents (company registration proof, salary evidence, job contract draft) to include in the application package.
5. The employee, having met the points-based eligibility and job offer requirements, files the residence/work permit application with the competent Austrian immigration authority or embassy.
6. The employer provides any additional requested documentation or clarifications during the review process until a decision is made.

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Costs & Fees Employers Are Responsible For to Sponsor a Red-White-Red Card in Austria

Here’s a breakdown of the typical government fees and employer costs when sponsoring the Red‑White‑Red Card (RWR Card) in Austria. Note: Austria doesn’t publish a specific “sponsor licence” fee in the same way some other countries do,  but there are still application and issuance fees that the employer should plan for.

Government Fees & Who Pays What

• Application fee (first-time permit): The applicant pays. For example, for the related RWR Card Plus: €156 for persons over 6 years old; children under 6 pay €97.
• Issuance/personalisation fee: Again, typically paid by the applicant. E.g., €26 for persons over 6 years old in the RWR Card Plus context.
• Health insurance/social insurance set-up: Though not a direct “visa fee,” the employer should ensure the employee has valid insurance in Austria, and employer social contributions will apply based on Austrian employment law.
  Renewal/extension fee: When switching to or renewing a permit (e.g., moving from RWR Card to RWR Card Plus) there are new application/issuance fees. These are generally paid by the employee, though employers may choose to cover them as part of the hiring package.

Employer Costs vs. Employee Costs

Costs Born By the Employer 

• Time and internal resources to gather documentation, do the Employer’s Declaration and labour market checks
• Legal or immigration advisor fees (if you engage external help)
• Internal/administrative costs
• Relocation/benefits costs

Costs Born by the Employee 

• Government visa/permit fees (€-based fees as above for first-time and renewal applications)
• Issuance/personalisation fee (Applies after approval to issue the actual card) 

Costs Covered by Both 

• Social/health insurance contributions (Standard Austrian employment cost; employer must register employee)

Renewal/Extension Fee

When switching to or renewing a permit (e.g., moving from RWR Card to RWR Card Plus) there are new application/issuance fees. These are generally paid by the employee, though employers may choose to cover them as part of the hiring package.

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Employer Responsibilities to Ensure Compliance

When hiring foreign talent for roles in Austria, employers play a critical role in ensuring everything from legality to compliance. Here's what you need to know:

• Ensure the employee works only for the approved employer and role during the initial permit period, changing employer or role typically requires a new application.
• Monitor working hours, salary, and contract terms to maintain compliance with the conditions of the permit (for example, salary must meet the category threshold and collective agreement). 
• Report major changes to the relevant authority: early termination of employment, changes to the job description, salary changes, extended absence or relocation of the employee.
• Keep accurate records: proof of recruitment (job offer, contract), records of salary payments, employee’s contact and residence details, and documentation of compliance with labour-market tests (if required).
• Understand and communicate the penalties for non-compliance: these can include revocation of the permit, fines, and restrictions on future sponsorship rights for your company.
• If using the labour-market test (AMS) for “Other Key Workers” category, keep the documentation of the test and any AMS decision on file. 

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Hire Global Talent Your Way with Playroll

Borders shouldn’t hold you back from hiring the right person. Playroll gives you two seamless options to hire globally. If relocation is the goal, our visa sponsorship services take care of everything when it comes to sponsoring a Red-White-Red Card – applications, compliance, and step-by-step support all the way through.

If moving isn’t needed, skip the visa fees, long processing times, and immigration risk with Playroll’s Employer of Record. We employ the candidate in their home country on your behalf, handling payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance so you can onboard quickly and stay fully compliant: no relocation required. Wherever your next great hire is based, we make it easy to bring them onto your team.