Skilled workers in shortage occupations

Third-country citizens may apply for a Red-White-Red Card as a skilled worker in a shortage occupation valid for twelve months, if

• they are able to furnish proof of completed training in a shortage occupation under the regulation
• they have received a binding job offer in Austria and the prospective employer is willing to remunerate them with the minimum pay stipulated by law, regulation or collective agreement (in the event that overpay is customary in the respective undertaking, it must also be granted to the applicant)
• they reach a minimum of 50 points according to the following list of criteria:

Which professions are deemed shortage occupations?

Shortage occupations are promulgated each year in a regulation (Fachkräfteverordnung) issued by the Federal Minister of Labour in consultation with the Federal Minister of Economics. Which occupations are considered as shortage occupations depends on the development of the Austrian labour market.

For the year 2015, the following occupations are deemed shortage professions. Applications  for a Red-White-Red Card for these occupations can be submitted until 5 November 2015: 

•   1. Milling machinists 
•   2. Black toppers
•   3. Metal turners
•   4. Agricultural equipment engineers 
•   5. Roofers 
•   6. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for mechanical engineering  
•   7. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for power engineering technology
•   8. Welders, cutting torch operators 
•   9. Tool makers, die makers, and die-cut makers
• 10. Specialty tinsmiths
• 11. Power engineers 
• 12. Graduate nurses who started with their complementary training in Austria in 2014 at the latest and have completed it at the time of application. Persons who have not yet received the relevant nostrification decision by the Austrian authorities are not covered.