The Red-White-Red Card is Austria’s combined work and residence permit for qualified non-EU nationals. Valid for 24 months, it lets skilled workers live in Austria and work for the employer named in their application. For Filipino professionals, it is a first step toward longer-term settlement.
TL;DR
The Red-White-Red Card is a two-year Austrian work-and-residence permit for skilled foreigners. Applicants must score at least 55 points in Austria’s points-based system. Filipinos apply through the Austrian Embassy in Manila with legalized documents translated into German. Elite Translations provides certified and sworn translations of these documents.
Who Is Eligible for the Red-White-Red Card?
Eligibility depends on your qualifications and job offer. Points are awarded for education, experience, age, and language skills. Most categories require at least 55 out of 90 points.
The main categories include:
- Highly qualified workers: PhDs and top-tier professionals, such as researchers, who score high on education and experience.
- Skilled workers in shortage occupations: Professionals in fields like engineering, IT, and healthcare, where Austria faces labor shortages.
- Other key workers: Applicants with a valid job offer outside the shortage list, which requires a minimum gross salary of €3,465 per month for 2026.
In practice, you usually need a degree or vocational training, several years of experience, basic language skills, and a job contract or business plan.
How Do You Apply for the Red-White-Red Card?
First, secure a job offer from an Austrian employer willing to sponsor your permit. Then, submit your application in person at the Austrian Embassy in Manila or a designated visa center.
Next, the embassy forwards your case, and the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) checks that your job offer meets the rules.
Once your application is complete, a decision is typically expected within about eight weeks. Afterwards, you will receive a Type D long-stay visa to enter Austria once approved. The Red-White-Red Card is then issued upon arrival or at the residence office.
What Documents Are Required for the Red-White-Red Card?
Applicants must submit the following, in original and copy:
- Passport: Valid, with a copy of all pages.
- Passport photo: Recent, 3.5×4.5 cm, per ICAO guidelines
- Civil documents: Birth certificate, plus marriage or divorce certificates if applicable, properly legalized
- Accommodation: A lease or host letter in Austria
- Employment documents: A job contract or employer statement describing your position and salary
- Qualifications: Diplomas, transcripts, and a CV showing your work history
- Police clearance: A record from the last three months, from the Philippines and any other country you lived in
- Proof of funds and insurance: Payslips or bank statements, plus travel or health insurance covering all risks
- Language certificates: Any diplomas showing German or English proficiency, A1 or A2 at minimum, if available
A cover letter and the official application form are also required.
Why Should You Apply for the Red-White-Red Card?
The Red-White-Red Card grants legal status to live and work in Austria for two years. It ties you to your sponsoring employer, though you can switch jobs within the same category after six months.
Moreover, it opens a path to settlement. With continuous employment and basic integration, you can later apply for an extended settlement permit.
Family reunification is another key benefit. Your spouse and children can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which also allows them to work in Austria.
How Can Elite Translations Support You?
Every document from a non-German or non-English source must be translated. Austria requires foreign documents to be legalized and translated into German by a sworn translator, and the immigration office may request certified translations.
- Sworn Translations: Court-certified German translations, exactly as Austrian authorities require.
- Certified Translations: Birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, employment contracts, and police records, translated and certified for Austria.
As a result, your documents are officially accepted, and your application moves forward smoothly.
Ready to Apply for the Red-White-Red Card?
Contact Elite Translations today for expert guidance on translating and legalizing your documents. We help Filipino applicants get everything in order for Austria.
FAQs
Can my family join me under the Red-White-Red Card?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which lets them live and work in Austria.
How long is the Red-White-Red Card valid?
It is valid for 24 months from the date of issue. If your contract is shorter, the card covers the contract period plus a few months.
Is there a minimum salary for the Austrian RWR Card?
For some categories, yes. Other key workers must earn at least €3,465 gross per month as of 2026. Shortage occupations have no fixed floor, but wages must follow the relevant collective agreement.
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