Red white red card plus

The “red white red card plus” (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plus) entitles third-country nationals to settle in Austria and grants unlimited access to the labor market. It entitles the holder to pursue self-employed and employed activities that are not restricted to a specific employer.

The “red white red card plus” is usually issued for twelve months. You can find more information on the validity period of residence permits here.

Who can receive a „red white red card plus“?

The red white red card plus („Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus“) can be issued in different constellations:

In extension of a “red white red card” („Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“) or a blue card („Blauen Karte EU“)

to the holder of a „red white red card“ („Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“), if he was employed under the conditions for admission for at least 21 out of 24 months
to the holder of a „blue card“ („Blaue Karte EU“), if he was employed under the conditions for admission for at least 21 out of 24 months

To family members

of holders of a “red white red card” („Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte“) or a blue card („Blauen Karte EU“)
of permanently settled third country nationals (holders of a long term resident status “Daueraufenthalt – EU”)
of holders of a “red white red card plus” (who previously held a “red white red card” or a “settlement permit researcher”)
of holders of a “settlement permit”, a “settlement permit special cases of gainful employment” (in certain cases) or a “settlement permit researcher”
of recognized refugees, who cannot derive a status under the asylum act, if a quota place is available,
of holders of a residence card (Aufenthaltskarte) or permanent residence card (Daueraufenthaltskarte), if a quota place is available or
of holders of a residence permit “Artikel 50 EUV”, if a quota place is available.

Family members are spouses, registered partners and minor unmarried children including adopted or stepchildren (up to the age of 18). Spouses and registered partners must have already reached the age of 21 at the time of application.

In the following additional cases

to researchers after they have held a “settlement permit researcher” („Niederlassungsbewilligung – Forscher“) for at least two years
to holders of a „settlement permit“ („Niederlassungsbewilligung“) or a „settlement permit relative“ („Niederlassungsbewilligung – Angehöriger“), insofar the applicant
- has already been legally settled in Austria for two years and is at an advanced stage of integration (has already been employed or admission to employment is required due to his/her particular social and family ties in Austria) or
- is in possession of a valid work permit or a valid certificate of exemption.
to persons, who held a residence permit “long term resident” (“Daueraufenthalt – EU”), which became invalid because of a longer absence from Austria or the EEA area
to holders of a residence permit under the Asylum Act, if they have already held the residence permit for 12 months and fulfil module 1 of the integration agreement or if they are engaged in gainful employment at the time of the decision and the monthly negligibility threshold is reached with this income.
to unaccompanied minors for the protection of the welfare of the child.

What are the requirements for a "red white red card plus”?

The general and special conditions for the granting of a residence permit must be fulfilled.

Further information on the general requirements can be found here. You will find a list of the necessary documents in the respective application form.

Last update: 1 October 2022