The Austrian immigration authority’s guidance states that, while proof of accommodation is waived for certain permit types, monthly housing expenditures must still be included in the computation of an applicant’s means of subsistence if applicable.
Permit types exempt from accommodation proof
The Austrian immigration authority and the federal government listed the following eight residence permits under the exemption:
- Red-White-Red Card
- Blue Card
- Settlement permit Researcher and Researcher-Mobility
- Settlement permit for extended family members of EEA nationals or Swiss nationals
- Student
- ICT and mobile ICT
- Volunteers
- Cross-border worker
The Red-White-Red Card is one of Austria’s most well-known immigration routes, intended to attract qualified workers from outside the European Union.
The Blue Card also targets highly qualified professionals. The addition of student and volunteer licenses broadens the exemption beyond just economic migrants.
What foreign applicants still need to show
The waiver does not exempt applicants from financial scrutiny fully. Even if no separate housing certificate is necessary, Austrian immigration rules compel those needing to demonstrate acceptable means of subsistence to include the cost of their accommodation in that computation.
This distinction is important for potential candidates, especially those transferring from African countries, who frequently face extensive documentation requirements when applying for European resident cards.
Knowing which requirements can be waived can help streamline the application process and lessen the paperwork load at the point of entry.
Austria’s immigration system continues to pique the interest of talented professionals, researchers, students, and family members of EU citizens seeking lawful entry into the Schengen Area.
