Visas & Customs Requirements

Employment:

Under most circumstances it is very difficult for foreigners to obtain employment in Austria. This is particularly true at the present time given the current tight labor market in Austria. Employment by non-Austrians is generally discouraged and no one other than an Austrian national may accept a position here without first obtaining a work permit. Work permits are difficult to obtain and are usually granted only to persons qualified to fill posts in specialized fields for which Austrian nationals or other EU-nationals are not available. (Work permits are granted with less stringent requirements to persons married to Austrian citizens and other EU-nationals.)

The employer may apply for the required work permit from the labor office (Arbeitsamt) serving the local area in which the employment will be located. Thus, it is necessary to find a specific prospective job before making an application for a work permit.

The Embassy itself has very few positions, which can be filled locally. Preference for these positions is given to family members of U.S. Government employees. In general, recruiting for American-filled positions in Embassies and Consulates is done in Washington, D.C. and employees so recruited must be available for service anywhere in the world.

Teaching Positions:

Native speakers without formal teaching qualifications can often find work giving private English lessons and at adult education institutes (Volkhochschulen). You will find these listed in your local telephone book or by visiting the website of the Verband Österreichischer Volkshochschulen, association of Austrian adult education institutes.

If you are interested in becoming a teacher of English it is possible to do a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adult speakers of other languages (CELTA) in Austria. This is an internationally recognized qualification, administered by the University of Cambridge. For further details, visit the CELTA pages on the University of Cambridge ESOL examinations website.

Residence Permit:

If you intend to stay in Austria for a period exceeding 6 months you must apply for a residence permit and not for an entry permit (visa). Residence permits are issued by the authorities in Austria and are solely issued for stays exceeding six months.

There are different types of residence permits in Austria:

1. Aufenthaltsbewilligung (temporary stay in Austria for a certain purpose = Temporary Residence Permit):
   • employee sent TDY (temporary duty)
   • rotational employee (company representative/manager/executive)
   • self-employment
   • researcher (individual doing research work at an Austrian academic, research or educational institution)
   • artist (self-employed or employed)
   • journalist, guest lecturer, au-pair
   • student attending college/university in Austria
   • student attending school (grade 1-12) in Austria


2. Niederlassungsbewilligung (for foreigners who plan to live in Austria for a longer time period = Permanent Residence Permit)
   • any purpose, private reasons (e.g. move to Austria in retirement)
   • employment or self-employment under certain circumstances
   • family members of aliens living in Austria, family re-unification


3. Aufenthaltstitel "Familienangehöriger" (issued to spouses and minor children of EU or EFTA citizens having permanently resided in Austria)


4. Aufenthaltstitel "Daueraufenthalt - EG" (issued to foreign nationals who have had the right to stay in Austria for at least the last five years; Integration Agreement has already been fulfilled)


5. Aufenthaltstitel "Daueraufenthalt - Familienangehöriger" (issued to individuals who have held an Aufenthaltstitel "Familienangehöriger" for at least the last five years; Integration Agreement has already been fulfilled)


6. Anmeldebescheinigung (EU & EFTA citizens [except Swiss] who both work and therefore take up residence in Austria; also issued to accompanying EU & EFTA spouses and minor children)


7. Daueraufenthaltskarte (for non-EU & non-EFTA spouses and minor children of EU & EFTA citizens [except Swiss])