Austria

Considered to be one of the richest countries in the world, Austria boasts high living standards which has been topping the list of the main reasons why immigrants from many countries choose Austria. The central European country has streamlined the process of relocating to the country to encourage people with skills beneficial to its economy to settle in the country.

If you are willing to relocate to Austria, you will be required to hold a temporary permit first before you can be eligible for a permanent residence permit. We will provide you with relevant information about migrating to Austria to help you be prepared for the visa application process. In most cases, you are supposed to hold the temporary permit for at least six months before applying for permanent residence. Other types of visas that are available for foreigners wishing to move to Austria for different purposes include:

1. The temporary residence visa
2. Emp..
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Austria

Considered to be one of the richest countries in the world, Austria boasts high living standards which has been topping the list of the main reasons why immigrants from many countries choose Austria. The central European country has streamlined the process of relocating to the country to encourage people with skills beneficial to its economy to settle in the country.

If you are willing to relocate to Austria, you will be required to hold a temporary permit first before you can be eligible for a permanent residence permit. We will provide you with relevant information about migrating to Austria to help you be prepared for the visa application process. In most cases, you are supposed to hold the temporary permit for at least six months before applying for permanent residence. Other types of visas that are available for foreigners wishing to move to Austria for different purposes include:

1. The temporary residence visa
2. Employment transfer by a company to work in Austria temporarily
3. Visa for self-employed individuals
4. A professional scholar or researcher wishing to stay in Austria
5. An artist
6. International students wishing to advance their education in Austria
7. The Red White Red card

To be better placed for a chance to settle in Austria, you have to be highly skilled, especially in the technical areas. The government of Austria has streamlined the process of visa acquisition for skilled persons wishing to settle in Austria. As such, in 2011, the country introduced the Red White Red visa for the highly demanded professionals to work in the growing economy. Professionals from every part of the continent are given the same chance to migrate and work in Austria.

The Red White Red card, usually known as RWR card is issued for a minimum of one year and the successful migrant is supposed to work on the specific job that got them the card. The immigrants falling under this category of cards include professionals working in key industries, professionals with Austrian higher education, as well as the self-employed immigrants who want to set up businesses in Austria.

Before a prospective applicant applies for the card, they must have a job offer from an Austrian employer and have the required skills and qualifications. The employer should be willing and able to pay the immigrant no less than the minimum wage in Austria. The applicants are also required to have a valid health insurance to be eligible for the visa.

The RWR card visa uses a point-based system to determine qualified applicants. Those with higher level education qualifications, specialized skills, and work experience will be better placed in getting the visa. This tells you that if you want to qualify for this visa, you should sharpen your skills in these areas.

The EU Blue Card

This is another visa that can allow foreigners to migrate, live and work in Austria. The Austria EU blue card follows specified criteria for qualification. The first requirement is that the applicant should have taken a course of at least three years in Austria and passed. Secondly, the applicant should prove that he or she has an existing job offer in the country, with a written contract showing that the job will last for a minimum of one year. The last requirement is that the applicant must have met the policies of the Austrian labor market.

The EU blue card is valid for two years, after which the holder will be able to apply for the Red White Red plus card. The employer’s declaration for the employments should be mentioned in the application for the process to be successful. Other documents that should be availed during application include a proof of educational qualifications, a birth certificate, a valid passport, marriage paper, among others.

This system was initiated by the Austrian government due to the shortage of skilled workers caused by the revolution in industrialization, and development in technology.

Family Reunification Visa

In many instances, most of the skilled workers who move to Austria for work would want to move with some or all of their family members. Austria allows for such arrangements for the holders of the Red White Red card, the EU Blue card and permanent residents too. Besides, the Austrian citizens who have family members outside of Austria can have their family with them in Austria.

Family members such as children, registered partners and parents can get the chance to move to Austria to reunite with their relatives. Due process should be followed to establish that the purported family member is actually who they say they are. The holder of the RWR card or the EU blue card should prove that they have enough funds to support the stay of the family members. On the side of the family members, they should have a clean criminal record as well as pass other checks at the immigration offices.

For more Detailed Information :

Main languages:  German is the official language of Austria but English is spoken in the major cities.

Neighbouring countries: Austria is a landlocked country which shares borders with Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the West; Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia to the North; and Slovenia and Italy to the South.

Climate: Austria is located within a temperate climatic zone. In the west and northwest the influence of the temperate Atlantic climate is felt more strongly, in the east the influence of the continental climate. Temperatures depend largely on altitude, with averages 5°C lower for each additional 300 m of elevation. Summers can be hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching 30°C or more, summer evenings are usually cool.

Lightweights with rainwear for summer, waterproof Medium- to Heavyweights for winter. A sweater is necessary almost any time of year.

States & Territories with their capitals: The Capital of Austria: Vienna

1. Vienna ,(Wien)
2. Lower Austria (Niederösterreich),( Sankt Pölten)
3. Upper Austria (Oberösterreich),( Linz)
4. Styria (Steiermark),( Graz)
5. Tyrol (Tirol),( Innsbruck)
6. Carinthia (Kärnten),( Klagenfurt)
7. Salzburg,( Salzburg)
8. Vorarlberg,( Bregenz)
9. Burgenland,( Eisenstadt)

Time Zones: 2 time zones in Austria. These time zones are used during other parts of the year. They will become active again after the next clock change as Daylight Saving Time begins or ends.

1. UTC +1 CET (Central European Time) in Vienna.
2. UTC +2 CEST (Central European Summer Time) commences on 26-Mar-2017.

Cost of living: 

Currency: The Euro (EUR) is divided into 100 cents.

1 Euro =73 Indian Rupee (Approx).

Min. Wages: Minimum wage of €1,200/month

No. of Working Hrs/week: Work for 40 Hrs/week

Transport and Driving: Like most of Europe, Austrians drive on the right-hand side of the road. Drivers are courteous and generally stick to the rules of the road. The standard of road infrastructure in Austria is excellent but new arrivals may need to adjust to driving in winter where snow can make mountain passes difficult to navigate. Public transport throughout Austria is also very good, so those without a car shouldn't struggle.