Red-White-Red Card for Graduates of Austrian Universities

Step-by-step guidance, multilingual instructions and expert review to help graduates transition from a student visa to a Red-White-Red Card.

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This page is helpful for

If you recently graduated in Austria and want to stay to work, this is your guide.

Graduates of Austrian universities

Graduates of Austrian universities, universities of applied sciences, or accredited private universities.

Current student permit holders

Holders of a student residence permit who want to stay to look for work or start a job.

Students planning ahead

International students planning their transition before graduation.

Quick overview

  • Permit type: Red-White-Red Card for graduates
  • Bridge option: 12-month job-search extension of your student permit (apply before your permit expires)
  • RWR Card duration: typically issued for 24 months for graduates
  • Work rights during job-search extension: up to 20 hours/week
  • Long-term path: RWR Card → RWR+ → long-term residence → citizenship

Check if you're eligible

Check if you're eligible

Eligibility

Key criteria you must meet to apply for the Red-White-Red Card as a graduate.

Qualifying degree from an Austrian institution

Completed a bachelor, master, diploma, or doctoral degree at an accredited Austrian university or higher education institution.

12-month job-search extension

Apply for the 12-month job-search extension before your student permit expires — this extension is not automatic.

Qualifying job offer

A job offer from an Austrian employer with a salary that meets the applicable collective agreement minimum for the role and industry.

Updated salary requirements

The fixed €2,551.50 threshold has been replaced by the locally customary gross minimum salary set by the relevant collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag). This typically makes qualifying offers more realistic for graduates.

Step-by-step application process

From graduation to approved Red-White-Red Card — here is exactly how the process works and what mypaperwork does at each stage.

1

Start before graduation

Prepare your documents and check timelines before you graduate. The earlier you start, the smoother the transition from student permit to work permit.

2

Apply for the 12-month job-search extension

Apply for the 12-month job-search extension inside Austria before your student permit expires. You can work up to 20 hours/week during this period.

3

Prepare your RWR Card application

Once you have a qualifying job offer, use mypaperwork's document tracker and pre-fill tools to prepare your Red-White-Red Card application.

4

Expert review & salary verification

Every application is reviewed by a mypaperwork immigration expert before submission. We verify your job offer salary against the relevant collective agreement to prevent rejections.

5

Submit & attend appointments

Submit to the competent authority and attend required appointments. Book a Buddy is available for support at MA35 or local immigration offices.

6

RWR Card approved — plan your next steps

On approval your RWR Card is issued (usually for 24 months). You can then follow the path to RWR+ Card and long-term residence.

Timing & work rules

Key dates and rules to avoid gaps in your legal status.

Apply early — before your permit expires

Submit the job-search extension and begin your RWR preparation before your student permit expires to avoid gaps in your legal status. mypaperwork sends timeline reminders so you never miss a deadline.

20 hours/week during the extension

During the 12-month job-search extension you can work up to 20 hours per week. Full-time work requires the Red-White-Red Card itself.

Typical RWR processing time

Processing typically takes several weeks to a few months depending on the completeness of your application and the authority workload. Expert-reviewed applications through mypaperwork reduce the risk of delays due to missing or incorrect documents.

Graduate extension vs. Job Seeker Visa — know the difference

The graduate job-search extension is for students who studied in Austria: extend your student permit up to 12 months, applied locally, no points system. The Job Seeker Visa is for highly qualified applicants outside Austria — points-based, up to 6 months, applied at embassy. If you already studied in Austria, the internal extension is the right route.

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Common pitfalls — and how we prevent them

  • Missed deadlines: we provide timeline reminders and checklist alerts so your job-search extension is filed before your student permit expires.
  • Salary uncertainty: we verify your job offer salary against the relevant collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag) before you submit — no surprises at the authority.
  • Wrong route selected: applying for a Job Seeker Visa instead of the internal extension is a common mistake. We identify the correct path early in the process.
  • Untranslated documents: if your diploma or supporting documents are not in German or English we flag and track translation requirements automatically.

Why use mypaperwork?

We guide you through the 12-month job-search extension and RWR Card application, verify salary against collective agreements, and provide expert review to reduce rejections and delays. Book a Buddy adds in-person support at MA35 and other offices.

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Choose your plan

Pick the level of support that fits your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the Red-White-Red Card for graduates of Austrian universities.

You can apply for the 12-month job-search extension before your student permit expires. The extension gives you up to 12 months to find a qualifying job. Start early — do not wait until your student permit is about to expire.
During the 12-month job-search extension you can work up to 20 hours per week. Once you apply for the RWR Card itself, some categories allow limited work while the application is under review — check your specific permit conditions and use our guidance to confirm.
Not for the initial 12-month job-search extension — that extension is specifically to give you time to find work. You will need a qualifying job offer with the appropriate collective agreement salary when applying for the Red-White-Red Card itself.
You may need certified translations of your diploma and supporting documents. mypaperwork flags all translation requirements during your document check and can connect you with verified translation partners.
Processing times vary by authority and season — plan for several weeks to a few months. Expert-reviewed applications submitted through mypaperwork reduce the risk of delays caused by incomplete or incorrect documents.
Yes — Book a Buddy provides local accompaniment to offices like MA35 in Vienna and other immigration offices across Austria. This is an optional paid service.
Yes, provided the institution is officially accredited in Austria. A full list of accredited institutions is maintained by the Austrian Accreditation Council (AQ Austria).

Ready to stay in Austria after graduation?

Start your free mypaperwork account or Book a Buddy for MA35 support. We guide you from student visa to Red-White-Red Card — step by step.

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