IMMIGRATION ALERTS

Complete self-assessment guide to Austria's Red-White-Red Card points system for 2026. Calculate your score across qualification (max 30 points), work experience (max 20), language skills (max 15), age (max 10), and bonuses. Very Highly Qualified Workers need 70 points; Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations need 50-55 points

Complete guide to Austria's Red-White-Red Card 2026 – the flagship points-based skilled migration programme. Covers points system (education, experience, language, age), eligibility, salary thresholds (€45,000–€75,000), step-by-step application (6–12 weeks), family inclusion, and pathways to permanent residence (5 years) and citizenship. IT, engineering, healthcare, and research professionals in high demand.

Austria's 2026 shortage occupation list is a key tool for Red-White-Red Card applicants. Occupations on the list receive +10 bonus points and lower points thresholds (50-55 instead of 70). High-demand sectors include IT & digitalisation (software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity), engineering (mechanical, electrical, automotive), healthcare (nurses, elderly care, physiotherapists), construction (electricians, plumbers, welders), and more.

Austria introduces stricter verification of professional experience – social security records now required for Red-White-Red Card, EU Blue Card, and other permits.

Austria grants visa-free travel to holders of biometric diplomatic passports from Uzbekistan – 90-day visa-free stay within 180-day period.

Tirol expands ID-Austria access for foreign nationals from April 1, 2026 – district offices in Imst, Reutte and Lienz now issue digital ID locally.

The Red-White-Red Card is Austria’s work and residence permit for qualified professionals from outside the EU/EEA

Austria invites skilled professionals from non-EU countries to address labor shortages in healthcare, tech, and manufacturing.