Austria Job Seeker Visa
Express Air Travels
What You Can Do
The Austria Job Seeker Visa is a Type D National Visa issued to highly qualified third-country nationals (non-EU citizens, like Indian nationals) allowing them to *enter and stay in Austria for 6 months* to look for a job.
What You Can Do with the Austria Job Seeker Visa
1. Look for a Job in Austria
- You can reside legally in Austria for 6 months to search for employment related to your education and skills.
- You may attend interviews, company meetings, job fairs and networking events.
2. Switch to Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) After Job Offer
- Once you get a job offer that meets salary and qualification criteria, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card, which is Austria’s work and residence permit.
- This application can be submitted without leaving Austria.
3. Live Legally in Austria During Your Job Hunt
- You can rent accommodation, register your residence (Meldezettel), and open a bank account
- You’ll receive a residence permit card for the 6-month period.
4. Travel Within the Schengen Zone
- The visa allows short visits to other Schengen countries (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) for tourism or meetings — but not to seek work in other countries.
5. Access Public Services
- You can use public transport, city services, and access health insurance (private insurance is required for the visa).
What You CANNOT Do with Austria Job Seeker Visa
| Activity | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work (employment/freelance) | ❌ No | You are not allowed to work during the job-seeking period |
| Freelancing or self-employment | ❌ No | The visa is for finding salaried employment only |
| Extend Job Seeker Visa beyond 6 months | ❌ No | The visa is non-renewable unless you switch to a Red-White-Red Card |
| Bring Dependents | ❌ No | Family members cannot accompany you on this visa |
| Apply for social benefits | ❌ No | You must prove financial self-sufficiency before applying |
Summary Table
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Stay duration | ✅ 6 months |
| Look for job | ✅ Yes |
| Work | ❌ Not allowed |
| Convert to work permit | ✅ Yes, Red-White-Red Card |
| Travel in Schengen | ✅ Yes (tourism only) |
| Family accompanying | ❌ No |
| Freelancing | ❌ No |
| Apply from India | ✅ Yes, via Austrian Embassy/VFS |
