Austria Red-White-Red Card 2026 — Points Calculator, Exact Documents & Application Steps
You need 70 points to qualify for the Austria Red-White-Red Card. Age, education, language, and salary each score differently. Here is the exact points grid, the complete document checklist, and the step-by-step application process for 2026.
The Austria Red-White-Red (RWR) Card is a points-based work and residence permit that gives skilled workers the right to live and work in Austria for 24 months with their employer of choice. After 24 months, you qualify for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which allows free movement in the Austrian labour market.
If you have been reading the Austria Red-White-Red Card overview and confirmed you want to apply, this guide covers the next step: calculating your exact points score, assembling your documents, and navigating the application process.
The minimum score to qualify: 70 points out of 100.
The Points Grid — Calculate Your Score Now
The RWR Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers uses this points grid. Calculate each category and sum your total.
Age Points (maximum 20 points)
| Age at time of application | Points |
|---|---|
| Up to 35 years | 20 |
| 36–40 years | 15 |
| 41–45 years | 10 |
| Over 45 years | 0 |
Being under 35 gives you the maximum 20 points. This is a free 20 points for most early-career applicants.
Education (maximum 30 points)
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| University degree at master's or doctoral level in an STEM field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) | 30 |
| University degree at master's or doctoral level in a non-STEM field | 25 |
| University degree at bachelor's level in an STEM field | 20 |
| University degree at bachelor's level in non-STEM field | 15 |
| No university degree | 0 |
Pakistani applicants: Your degree from any HEC-recognised university qualifies. A master's in computer science, electrical engineering, or another STEM field from NUST, LUMS, GIKI, UET Lahore, or equivalent gives you 30 education points.
Important: Your foreign degree must be evaluated by the Austrian recognition authority (if required) or accepted by AMS (Austria's Public Employment Service) directly. For most standard degrees from recognised Pakistani universities, AMS accepts the degree with the HEC and MOFA attestation without a separate evaluation. Confirm with the Austrian embassy in Islamabad if your specific degree needs evaluation.
Language Skills (maximum 15 points)
| Language | Proficiency | Points |
|---|---|---|
| German | B1 or above (CEFR) | 10 |
| German | A2 | 5 |
| English | C1 or above | 10 |
| English | B2 | 5 |
You can earn points from both German and English — maximum 15 points total from language (not 10+10=20, the cap is 15).
Common scoring scenarios:
- IELTS 6.5 (C1 equivalent) + no German: 10 language points
- IELTS 7.0 (C1) + German A2: 10 + 5 = 15 language points (capped at 15)
- IELTS 6.0 (B2) + German B1: 5 + 10 = 15 language points (capped at 15)
Certificate required: For English, IELTS Academic or General Training, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge B2 First/C1 Advanced. For German, Goethe Institut certificate (A1 through C2), ÖSD, or Telc.
Work Experience (maximum 20 points)
| Work experience in the relevant field | Points |
|---|---|
| Over 5 years | 20 |
| 3–5 years | 15 |
| 1–3 years | 10 |
| Under 1 year | 0 |
Work experience must be in the same field as your proposed employment in Austria. Experience in a different field does not score.
Job Offer or Placement in Austria (mandatory + bonus points)
A confirmed job offer from an Austrian employer is required for the standard RWR Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers. Without a job offer, this card cannot be issued.
The job offer must also meet the minimum salary threshold: €2,989 gross per month for applicants under 30, €4,171 gross per month for applicants 30 and over (2026 figures — verify current thresholds at migration.gv.at as these are updated annually).
Additional point for job offer: 20 points if you have a qualifying job offer in Austria.
Research and Innovation (bonus points)
| Achievement | Points |
|---|---|
| Research position at an Austrian university or non-university research institution | +10 |
| Published scientific work in peer-reviewed journals | +5 |
| Patent registered in Austria or EU | +5 |
| Award or recognition from the Austrian federal government or state government | +5 |
These are optional bonus points — relevant primarily for researchers and academics.
Example Score Calculations
Scenario A — Typical Pakistani IT professional:
- Age 28: 20 points
- MSc Computer Science from NUST: 30 points
- IELTS 7.0 (C1) + German A2: 15 points
- 4 years work experience in software development: 15 points
- Job offer from Austrian company at €4,500/month: 20 points
- Total: 100 points. ✅ Qualifies (need 70)
Scenario B — Mid-career engineer:
- Age 38: 15 points
- BSc Electrical Engineering: 20 points
- IELTS 6.5 (C1) + no German: 10 points
- 6 years engineering experience: 20 points
- Job offer at €4,500/month: 20 points
- Total: 85 points. ✅ Qualifies
Scenario C — Non-STEM with less experience:
- Age 32: 20 points
- MBA from Pakistani university: 15 points
- IELTS 6.0 (B2): 5 points
- 2 years marketing experience: 10 points
- Job offer: 20 points
- Total: 70 points. ✅ Qualifies — exactly at threshold
Scenario D — No job offer yet:
- Any score: 0 points for job offer category
- Maximum achievable without job offer: 80 points (age + education + language + experience)
- But without a job offer, the card cannot be applied for regardless of points.
- Action needed: Secure a job offer first. See how to get a job in Austria for strategies.
Complete Document Checklist
Gather all documents before starting the application. Missing documents cause delays of weeks.
Your Personal Documents
- Valid Pakistani passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival, at least 2 blank pages)
- All previous passports (last 10 years of travel history required)
- CNIC — front and back, certified copy
- Passport-sized photographs (3.5cm × 4.5cm, white background, recent)
Academic Documents
- University degree certificate(s) — original or certified true copy
- Official academic transcripts for all university qualifications
- HEC attestation on all degree certificates and transcripts
- MOFA attestation on all HEC-attested documents
- Austrian Embassy attestation (applied for at the Austrian Embassy in Islamabad after MOFA step — allow 2–4 weeks)
Language Certificates
- IELTS Test Report Form — original (not photocopy), valid within 2 years
- German language certificate if claiming German points (Goethe Institut, ÖSD, or Telc)
Work Experience Documents
- Reference letters from every employer in the relevant field, covering the experience you are claiming points for
- Employment contracts or appointment letters
- Payslips or salary certificates confirming dates and role
- If self-employed: business registration, bank statements showing business activity, client contracts
Job Offer Documents
- Written job offer from your Austrian employer — on company letterhead, signed, specifying:
- AMS approval from your Austrian employer (see below)
AMS Employer Declaration
Before you can apply for the RWR Card, your Austrian employer must obtain a positive statement from AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich — Austria's Public Employment Service) confirming that no suitable Austrian or EU candidate was available for your position.
Your employer handles this — not you. The AMS process takes 4–6 weeks. Your employer applies to the regional AMS office in their city. This is the primary timeline bottleneck in the entire process. Tell your employer to begin the AMS process as soon as they decide to hire you.
Civil Documents (if bringing family)
Marriage certificate (Nikah Nama) with certified English translation and MOFA attestation.
Children's birth certificates with certified translation and MOFA attestation.
Family members apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus (family reunification) once your own RWR Card is issued — not simultaneously.
The Application Process — Step by Step
Step 1 — Your employer obtains AMS approval (4–6 weeks)
Your employer files the pre-clearance request with the regional AMS office. You provide your CV, degree certificates, and job offer details for the AMS submission. Wait for AMS positive statement.
Step 2 — Prepare your documents (start simultaneously)
While AMS is processing, begin your document preparation. Start HEC attestation immediately — it takes 7–10 days. Then MOFA (5 days). Then Austrian Embassy attestation (2–4 weeks).
Step 3 — Apply at the Austrian Embassy in Islamabad
Once you have:
- AMS positive statement from your employer
- All attested documents
- Completed application form
Book an appointment at the Austrian Embassy, Islamabad (Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad). The RWR Card application is submitted in person or by post depending on current embassy procedures — confirm current procedures at bmeia.gv.at.
Application fee: €140.
Step 4 — Processing in Austria (8–12 weeks)
The Austrian Immigration Authority (MA35 in Vienna, or regional authority elsewhere) processes the application. This is the main processing period. The embassy submits your application to Austria on your behalf.
Step 5 — Receive entry permit and travel to Austria
Once approved, you receive a visa/entry permit to travel to Austria. Within 4 weeks of arrival, you register at the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (regional administrative authority) and collect your physical RWR Card.
Total timeline from application submission: 10–16 weeks.
After 24 Months — Red-White-Red Card Plus
The RWR Card Plus gives unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market — you can change employers, work multiple jobs, or start your own business. Your family members who joined you on family reunification visas also receive the Card Plus simultaneously.
After 5 years of legal residence in Austria, you can apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungsbewilligung — unbefristet). Austrian citizenship requires 10 years of legal residence (reduced to 6 years in exceptional contribution cases).
Internal links: Austria Red-White-Red Card 2026 Overview · HEC Attestation & MOFA Process 2026 · Germany Opportunity Card 2026 · Netherlands Work Visa 2026 · IELTS vs PTE vs Duolingo 2026 · Cost of Living Netherlands 2026 · German CV Lebenslauf Format 2026
RWR Card points thresholds, salary minimums, and fees are updated by the Austrian Immigration Authority annually. Always verify current scores and thresholds at migration.gv.at before applying. This article reflects March 2026 data.