B2B Sourcing Guide10 min readUpdated May 2026
Guide to Sponsoring Rot-Weiß-Rot Cards in Austria (2026)
Austrian employer guide to Rot-Weiß-Rot (RWR) Card sponsorship. Learn points thresholds, AMS labor market tests, collective agreement wages, and visa timelines.
Key Takeaways
- The Rot-Weiß-Rot Card is a points-based permit system requiring a minimum criteria score
- Shortage occupations (electricians, welders) bypass the standard labor market test
- Salaries must comply with the sector Kollektivvertrag and include 13th and 14th month pay
- Address registration (Meldezettel) must be completed within 3 days of candidate arrival
- eCard health insurance is activated immediately upon social security registration
The Rot-Weiß-Rot (Red-White-Red) Card System Explained
Austria's primary immigration pathway for non-EU skilled labor is the Rot-Weiß-Rot (RWR) Card. The RWR Card is a points-based combined work and residence permit that binds the worker to a specific employer for the first 2 years, after which they can transition to a flexible RWR Card Plus.
Points are calculated based on age, qualification level, professional experience, and language skills (German or English). Taj HR's compliance team handles this point assessment for all candidates prior to selection.
Sponsoring Shortage Occupations (Fachkräfte in Mangelberufen)
Austrian employers hiring for shortage occupations (e.g., electricians, welders, HVAC technicians) benefit from a streamlined process. Shortage trades are exempt from the general labor market test, meaning the Public Employment Service (AMS) does not search for an equivalent Austrian candidate before clearing the permit.
For shortage occupations, the candidate must score at least 55 points (out of 90) on the RWR criteria. We ensure all deployed Indian trade professionals hold the necessary certifications and experience to easily pass this threshold.
Salary Compliance and the Kollektivvertrag
Austria has a highly structured collective bargaining system. Every employment offer must align with the minimum wage and work conditions established by the applicable sector-specific Collective Agreement (Kollektivvertrag).
For example, construction workers must be paid in accordance with the *Kollektivvertrag für das Baugewerbe*, including the mandatory 13th and 14th-month salary payments (Weihnachtsgeld and Urlaubsgeld). The AMS will reject any application that falls below these statutory sector minimums.
The AMS Pre-Clearance and Consulate Filing Timeline
The visa processing timeline follows these steps:
- Dienstvertrag: Employer issues the employment contract.
- AMS Application: The employer files the RWR application at the local AMS office in Austria, or the candidate files at the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi.
- AMS Assessment: The AMS verifies points and collective agreement compliance (takes 4–6 weeks).
- Visa Issuance: The embassy issues a Visa D, allowing the candidate to travel to Austria and collect their RWR Card.
- Dienstvertrag: Employer issues the employment contract.
- AMS Application: The employer files the RWR application at the local AMS office in Austria, or the candidate files at the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi.
- AMS Assessment: The AMS verifies points and collective agreement compliance (takes 4–6 weeks).
- Visa Issuance: The embassy issues a Visa D, allowing the candidate to travel to Austria and collect their RWR Card.
Post-Arrival Relocation: Meldezettel, eCard, and Raiffeisen
Upon arrival in Austria, the worker must complete these onboarding requirements:
- Meldezettel: Register their address at the registration office (Gemeindeamt/Magistrat) within 3 days.
- eCard: The employer registers the worker with the social insurance system (ÖGK) to issue their eCard health insurance.
- Bank Account: Open a local euro account ( Erste Bank or Raiffeisen) for salary transactions.
- Meldezettel: Register their address at the registration office (Gemeindeamt/Magistrat) within 3 days.
- eCard: The employer registers the worker with the social insurance system (ÖGK) to issue their eCard health insurance.
- Bank Account: Open a local euro account ( Erste Bank or Raiffeisen) for salary transactions.
Need Help With Your Hiring?
Taj HR Services has deployed 10,000+ workers across multiple markets and can turn this guidance into an actual hiring plan.