Share I’m a recognised refugee. / I have a displaced persons’ pass (blue card).
As a recognised refugee or person granted asylum, you have free access to the labor market.
That means: you can do any job you like and don’t need a work permit. You can also do an apprenticeship or a course of study.
I have subsidiary protection (grey card).
You have free access to the labor market.
That means: you can do any job and you can do an apprenticeship or a course of study. You do not need a work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung).
I’m an asylum seeker (green / white card).
If you are in the asylum admission procedure (green card), you do not have access to the labor market. You are prohibited from working.
If you are admitted to the asylum procedure (white card), you will have to wait 3 months. After that, you are allowed to work as an employee with a work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung). Or you can work independently, for example, with a business licence (Gewerbeberechtigung).
You need a work permit for a job that is not self-employed. Only your boss can apply to the AMS (Public Employment Service Austria) for the work permit.
The AMS then checks whether other people can do this job. For example, Austrian nationals, EEA citizens or migrants who have been living in Austria for a longer period of time. This is known as the labor market check (Arbeitsmarktprüfung). It is therefore very difficult to get a work permit.
Important:
The AMS will send you a copy of the work permit by post. You are only allowed to start working when you have received this copy!
- The work permit applies only to this specific job. It has a maximum validity of 1 year. After that, your boss must apply for a new work permit.
I’m a student.
As a student from a non-EU country, you will need a work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) in order to work in Austria. Your boss must apply for the work permit with the AMS (Public Employment Service Austria).
Important:
- the AMS will send you a copy of the work permit by post. You are only allowed to start working when you have received this copy!
The work permit applies only to this specific job. It has a maximum validity of 1 year. After that, your boss must apply for a new work permit.
If you work up to 20 hours a week, you will usually receive your work permit very quickly. If you work more than 20 hours a week, the AMS will be perform the labor market check (Arbeitsmarktprüfung).
That means: the AMS will check whether other people can do this job. For example, Austrian nationals, EEA citizens or migrants who have been living in Austria for a longer period of time.
Caution:
your work must not interfere with your studies. That means: your work should not prevent you from taking exams and collecting enough ECTS credits!
I have a Red-White-Red card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte).
The Red-White-Red card lets you work at a certain employer. However, you are not allowed to change employer.
The Red-White-Red Card entitles you to temporary residence in Austria for a limited period of time, as long as you are employed by this one employer. It has a maximum validity of 24 months.
I have a different residence permit.
Come to us at the UNDOK Drop-in center and we’ll discuss your situation.
I do not have a residence permit. / I don’t know my residence status.
Come to us at the UNDOK Drop-in center! We’ll discuss your situation. Even if you’re working without a valid residence permit, you have rights!
Your details (such as your name and place of work) remain confidential. We will not pass them on to the immigration authorities or the police.
You can also contact these organizations if you wish.