AUSTRIA: IMMIGRATION FOR STARTUPS

AUSTRIA: REQUIREMENTS

In order to obtain a start-up visa you have to have at least 50 points minimum according to the system of evaluation the following skills: qualification, work experience, language knowledge, age and investment amount. As a non-europeans national you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card for start-up founders if you:

1. 1. 1. Set up an Austrian a company in order to develop and launch on the market innovative products, services, processing methods or technologies;
      2. Present business and financial plans;
      3. Personally controlling influence on the management of the Austrian company;
      4. Prove capital for the company to be founded amounting to € 50.000 minimum with an equity share of at least 50 %.

AUSTRIA: DOCUMENTS

There are a multitude of documents needed since there are a lot of items required for each point analysis category necessary to apply for the start-up visa, for which you need, on an applicable basis:

1. 1. 1. Valid passport;
      2. Birth certificate;
      3. Evidence of health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy);
      4. Evidence of adequate means of subsistence (investment capital or sufficient own assets, insurance benefit certificates, evidence of retirement or other pension or insurance benefits);
      5. As evidence of completed vocational education/training: relevant certificate or diploma;
      6. As evidence of special know-how or skills: testimonial or training report and work certificate;
      7. As evidence of a completed programme of a minimum duration of three years at an institution of tertiary education: document furnishing proof of successful completion of that programme and document reflecting the status of the university or other institution of tertiary education;
      8. As evidence of a completed diploma programme or Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctor’s degree;
      9. Programme or vocational education/training in Austria: document furnishing proof of successful completion of that programme or apprenticeship certificate;
      10. As evidence of work experience: testimonial and work certificate;
      11. As evidence of language skills in German or English: an internationally recognised language diploma or language course certificate furnishing proof of these skills;
      12. Evidence of investment capital including available equity;
      13. As evidence of admission to a business incubator or funding by a start-up funding agency in Austria a contract with the relevant institution;
      14. A business plan and documents as evidence of the innovational character of products, services, processing methods and technologies;
      15. As evidence of controlling influence on the management of the newly set-up company the articles of association of the company, except for one-person companies;
      16. Evidence of the qualification necessary for the self-employed professional activity:
      17. Craft authorisations (Gewerbeberechtigungen), where necessary (if already available).

All documents should be legalised according to Apostille Convention signed by most nations in Hague, or if your country of origin does not participate in the said convention, notarised by a government-appointed individual. All documents should also be translated into German by a reliable translator.

The relevant authorities reserve the right to demand additional documents at any stage of the inspection.

AUSTRIA: PROCESS

There are different procedures for customers who wish to apply for entry to Austria as a start-up founder, and we begin with the simplified process if you are applying for a job-seeker visa:

1. 1. 1. All documents are gathered, translated and legalised, we submit the application to your local Austrian consulate, and if you are from European Union, you may apply for the process in Austria;
      2. Your file is forwarded to Public Employment Service for assessments of points, and they may demand additional documents;
      3. The Austrian immigration authority will forward your application including all submitted documents to the Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice, AMS).
      4. The AMS will issue within about one month a rapport on the macroeconomic benefit of the intended professional activity, in particular regarding the transfer of investment capital and/or the creation and the securing of work places.
      5. If the conditions are met, the AMS will send a positive opinion to the immigration authority. The residence authority will issue a Red-White-Red Card, if all general requirements (such as health insurance) are fulfilled.
      6. If the application is accepted, the Austrian representation will inform the applicant accordingly.
      7. In case of a visa requirement you will have to apply for a visa D to enter Austria in order to collect your residence permit from the immigration authority.
      8. The Red-White-Red Card is issued for two years maximum and entitles you to fixed-term settlement and the pursuit of a self-employed occupation.
      9. Once two years have passed, you can obtain your third card, valid for 3 years;
      10. After 5 years of continuous residence status in Austria, you may obtain the permanent residency, valid for 10 years.

AUSTRIA: INFORMATION

Additional important points regarding the highly-skilled worker visa in Austria:

1. 1. 1. Family: your family members such as your spouse and children who are dependent upon you for support, can come together and enjoy the same status as long as you include them in the application process;
      2. Citizenship: you can obtain citizenship once you have lived in Austria legally for 10 years.