AUSTRIA · VERY HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Austria Job Seeker
Visa in 2026.
A six-month route for third-country nationals who qualify as very highly qualified workers. The decisive question is not simply whether you have a degree—it is whether your documented profile reaches Austria's 70-point threshold.
Reviewed against current Austrian requirements · Last updated 24 September 2026
This is a selective route for very highly qualified profiles. Reaching an informal score does not confirm that the Austrian Public Employment Service will award the same points or that a visa will be granted.
01 / WHO IT FITS
A narrow route for
strong profiles.
Austria's Job Seeker Visa is not a general graduate visa. It is designed for applicants whose qualifications, senior experience, research record, language skills, age or Austrian study background combine to at least 70 points.
You may be worth assessing if…
- You completed a four-year higher-education programme
- You hold a STEM degree, PhD or post-doctoral qualification
- You have substantial related experience, research or senior-management evidence
- Your age and language evidence add meaningful points
This route may not fit if…
- Your profile cannot reach 70 documented points
- Your qualification or experience evidence is incomplete
- You already have an Austrian job offer and another route is more appropriate
- You are looking for a general visa open to all degree holders
02 / POINTS
How the 100-point
framework is built.
Only 70 points are required, but category caps apply. The authority assesses the underlying documents—not just a self-calculated total.
The minimum is 70/100. Some high-value criteria require particularly specific proof, such as research records, company status or senior-management remuneration.
03 / EVIDENCE
Your score is only as
strong as its evidence.
Education must be documented
A degree certificate and proof of the institution's status may be required. STEM, PhD or post-doctoral claims need the corresponding academic evidence.
Duties and duration matter
Employment records should demonstrate the length and relevance of experience. Senior-management claims can involve salary and company-status evidence.
Accepted proof matters
Language points depend on the relevant level and suitable evidence. A conversational ability without accepted documentation may not support the claimed score.
The visa file goes beyond points
A valid passport, recent photograph, initial accommodation, health insurance and sufficient means of subsistence are among the core document categories.
04 / OUTCOME
What happens after
the job search.
The visa permits a time-limited search for suitable work in Austria.
The Austrian employment authority confirms whether the admission threshold is met.
A qualifying Red-White-Red Card is generally employer-specific and may be issued for 24 months.
If you receive an employment offer that matches your qualification during the valid stay, a Red-White-Red Card may become the next step. If no suitable job is found within the visa period, you generally must leave Austria.
05 / REVIEW
Where personal
assessment matters.
- 1
Map the profile against each capped points category.
- 2
Separate potentially claimable points from points that can actually be evidenced.
- 3
Check whether this route—or a job-offer-based route—better matches the situation.
- 4
Review the core visa evidence before deciding whether to proceed.
Research, senior-management experience, qualification classification and language evidence can be interpreted differently from a simple online score. We can review the profile before you invest in a full application.
Compare Austria with Germany →Compare five routes without a job offer →
Request a free initial assessment →
START WITH YOUR PROFILE
Could your profile reach
Austria's threshold?
Use the quick score for an initial indication, then request an individual review if Austria appears relevant.
Important information
This guide was reviewed against current national requirements on 24 September 2026. It is general educational information, not legal advice, a formal points decision or confirmation of eligibility. Requirements and fees can change; the competent Austrian authorities decide every application.