Ever dreamt of swapping your daily grind for a life filled with stunning
mountain views, world-class music, and enough pastries to make your
heart sing? Well, Austria is ready to roll out the red carpet for you!
One of the key pathways to entering Austria as a skilled worker is
through the Austrian Job Seeker Visa (Category D). This visa allows
highly qualified individuals to reside in the country for up to six
months while they search for employment.
What makes this opportunity
even more appealing is the possibility to bring your family along during
this job search period. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll unravel the
secrets of the Austrian Job Seeker Visa (Category D), your golden ticket
to a six-month job-hunting adventure in this beautiful country. And the
best part? You can bring your family along for the ride! We’ll walk you
through the eligibility criteria, the application process, the
financial requirements, and everything you need to know to make your
Austrian dream a reality.
Austria Allows You to Apply for a Job Seeker Visa with a Family Visa
Austria
not only welcomes highly qualified professionals to explore job
opportunities within its borders but also allows them to bring their
families along during this critical phase. The Austrian Job Seeker Cat-D
Visa is designed to facilitate your transition to life in Austria,
making it easier for you to settle into your new environment with your
spouse or registered partner and minor children by your side. This
provision underscores Austria’s commitment to supporting skilled workers
and their families, offering them a cohesive and supportive environment
during the job search process.
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You can include your
family members directly in your Job Seeker Visa application, which
simplifies the process significantly. This means that once your visa is
approved, your family members will receive their visas as well, allowing
all of you to travel to Austria together.
70 Points Needed to Qualify for Austria Job Seeker and Family Visa
To
be eligible for the Austrian Job Seeker Visa, applicants must meet
specific criteria based on a points system. This system is designed to
assess your qualifications and suitability for living and working in
Austria. The minimum requirement to qualify for the Austria job seeker
visa is a score of at least 70 points.
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• Age is an
essential factor in this points system. Younger applicants receive more
points, with those aged 18-30 earning the highest score of 20 points. As
the applicant’s age increases, the points awarded decrease, with
applicants aged 41-45 receiving 5 points.
• Education plays a
crucial role as well. Applicants with a university degree, such as a
diploma, master’s, or doctorate in a field relevant to their intended
employment in Austria, can earn up to 20 points. Those with completed
apprenticeships or vocational training relevant to the Austrian labor
market can earn up to 10 points.
• Work experience is another
critical component. Applicants with relevant work experience within the
last ten years can score up to 20 points, depending on the duration and
relevance of their experience to the Austrian job market.
• Language
skills in both German and English are highly valued. While German
language proficiency is preferred, applicants who do not speak German
can still earn points by demonstrating English proficiency at level B1
or higher. Applicants with advanced German skills (level B1 or higher)
can earn up to 20 points, while those with English skills at the same
level can earn 10 points.
In addition to these points, specific
professional qualifications that are in high demand in Austria can
provide additional points, enhancing your chances of obtaining the visa
and you can check high demand or skill shortages here
https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/austria-wide-shortage-occupations/.
For
family members, eligibility revolves around providing proof of the
relationship with the main applicant. This typically involves submitting
marriage certificates for spouses or registered partners and birth
certificates for minor children. Additionally, each family member must
have health insurance that covers all risks in Austria, and you must
demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support your
family during your stay.
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Financial Proof and Application Processing Fees for Austrian VISAS
When
applying for the Austria Job Seeker Visa, it is crucial to provide
evidence that you have the financial means to support yourself and your
family without relying on public assistance. The financial requirement
is in place to ensure that applicants can sustain themselves during
their job search period in Austria alone or with family.
1# Financial
Proof: For the main applicant, the minimum financial requirement is
around €940 per month. This amount is intended to cover living expenses
such as accommodation, food, and other necessities. If you are bringing
your family along, you will need to demonstrate that you have additional
funds to cover their expenses as well.
2# Application Fee Expenses:
Regarding the visa application fees, the costs are relatively
straightforward. The fee for the Job Seeker Visa for the main applicant
is €150. For each family member included in the application, the fee is
€75. It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change, so it
is advisable to check the latest information on the official Austrian
embassy or consulate website before applying
https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/very-highly-qualified-workers/.
Application Process for Austria Job Seeker and Family Visa
Applying
for an Austria Job Seeker Visa with a Family Visa involves several key
steps, each requiring careful attention to detail to ensure a successful
application as described below:
1# Gathering Required Documents: The
first step in the application process is to gather all necessary
documents for both the main applicant and each family member. For the
main applicant, this includes a completed visa application form
(https://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/Allgemein/Formulare/Antragsformular_Visum_D_NEU.pdf),
a valid passport (which should be valid for at least three months
beyond your intended stay), and recent passport-sized photographs that
meet Austrian visa photo requirements. You will also need to provide
proof of accommodation in Austria, such as a rental agreement or hotel
booking confirmation, and proof of health insurance that covers all
risks during your stay.
Additionally, the main applicant must present
proof of sufficient financial means to cover living expenses, as well
as documents proving their qualifications, such as diplomas,
certificates, and work experience letters. A police clearance
certificate from your home country and any other country where you have
lived for more than six months in the past three years is also required.
For
family members, you will need to gather similar documents, including
completed application forms
(https://www.bmi.gv.at/312_EN/60a/start.aspx), valid passports,
passport-sized photographs, and proof of health insurance. You will also
need to provide birth certificates or marriage certificates to prove
your relationship with your family members.
2# Translating and
Legalizing Documents: If any of your documents are not in German or
English, they must be translated by a certified translator.
Additionally, some documents may require legalization, such as an
apostille or embassy attestation, to be accepted by Austrian
authorities.
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3# Submitting the Application: Once all
documents are prepared, the next step is to submit your application.
This must be done at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home
country (Ref). It is essential to submit all documents for both the main
applicant and family members together to ensure that your applications
are processed simultaneously. Along with the application, you will need
to pay the visa processing fees.
4# Awaiting Processing: After
submitting your application, you will need to wait for it to be
processed. The processing time can vary depending on the volume of
applications and the specific circumstances of your case. It is
advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date to
account for any potential delays.
During the processing period, you
may be asked to provide additional documents or attend an interview at
the embassy or consulate. It is essential to respond promptly to any
such requests to avoid delays in the processing of your application.
5#
Collecting Passports: Once a decision has been made on your
application, you will be notified to collect your passports. If your
application is approved, your passport will contain the visa, allowing
you and your family to travel to Austria.
Is it Required to Convert the Job Seeker Visa to a Work Visa After Landing a Job?
Yes,
once you secure employment in Austria, it is necessary to convert your
Job Seeker Visa into a Red-White-Red Card
https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/redwhiteredcardplus/.
This card serves as both a work and residence permit, allowing you to
live and work in Austria legally.
The process of converting your Job
Seeker Visa to a Red-White-Red Card begins once you have a job offer.
Your employer will need to assist you in submitting the application for
the Red-White-Red Card at the local immigration office. The documents
required for this process include your valid passport, job offer or
employment contract, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and proof
of income that meets the required threshold.
Once your Red-White-Red
Card application is approved, you and your family can continue to live
in Austria, enjoying the benefits of a stable and secure life in one of
Europe’s most prosperous countries