News on the Red-White-Red – Card: Shortage occupations in 2024

Many eagerly awaited publication of the list of national and regional shortage occupations at the turn of the year 2023/24. What can be said about these professions? And what are the advantages of this concept when it comes to promoting the immigration of qualified and urgently needed skilled workers to Austria?

The term “shortage occupation” refers to those occupations for which fewer than 1.5 job seekers are available within the period of one year for every vacant position reported to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). The so-called Skilled Workers Regulation issued annually by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy sets an all-time high for 2024 with respect to the number of legally stipulated shortage occupations, which now encompasses 110 nationwide as well as 48 regional shortage occupations. A complete overview of the currently valid nationwide  and regional shortage occupations can be found on our website, both in German and in English.  

Skilled workers in the relevant shortage occupations who are third country nationals are offered a suitable route to immigration by means of the Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations. This refers to a combined residence and work permit issued for a period of up to two years (with an extension option), binding a skilled worker from a third country to a specific Austrian company during this time. Direct family members (i.e., spouse, registered partner, underage children) are allowed to immigrate as well by means of the Red-White-Red - Card Plus.

Processing time between the submission date of the application and the issuing of a Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations frequently takes somewhat less time than cases involving other immigration options. In the course of this process, no labour market test is conducted due to the well-known shortage of skilled workers in the respective profession officially designated as a shortage occupation.

The underlying prerequisite for applying for and issuing a Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations is the successful completion of relevant training, which largely corresponds to the customary training for the respective occupation in Austria (e.g., apprenticeship, studies) with respect to the duration, scope and contents.

This category of the Red-White-Red – Card follows a point system according to which up to 90 points can be achieved for qualifications, professional experience, language skills and age. A skilled worker has to achieve at least 55 points which must be corroborated by corresponding proof in order to receive a Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations. With the exception of the required relevant training, it is not absolutely necessary to obtain points in every single category.

The Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations does not stipulate any generally valid minimum salary. The monthly gross salary must at least correspond to the designated remuneration in accordance with the applicable collective agreement (taking account of a correct classification). Of course, higher salaries may also be paid to skilled workers who are third country nationals, inasmuch as this is customary in the company.

The team of Immigration and Residence Services of the Austrian Business Agency – WORK in AUSTRIA supports both companies in Austria as well as skilled workers from third countries in applying for the Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations as well as all other categories of the Red-White-Red – Card, the EU Blue Card and other residence permits. The company makes the decision as to which specific shortage occupation the position to be filled by the skilled worker is assigned. Further information on the Red-White-Red – Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations as well as a detailed list of the required proof and documents for the application can be found here.