Austria's route for third-country skilled workers is criteria-based and, for shortage occupations, comparatively fast: a listed occupation, a job offer, 55 points, collective-agreement pay, an eight-week decision. Here is the mechanism, and where the Pre-Check register makes it faster for Filipino candidates.
The Fachkräfteverordnung, renewed every year, lists the occupations in which third-country skilled workers can be admitted: 64 nationwide for 2026 and further regional occupations per Land — Salzburg lists bricklayers and waiters, Vorarlberg tilers, for example. The employer decides which listed occupation the position corresponds to. The candidate needs a completed vocational training in that occupation and at least 55 points: 30 for the qualification, up to 20 for experience, up to 15 for German, points for English, and up to 15 for age. A roofer with training, experience, A1 German and under thirty scores 70.
There is no separate minimum salary for this card; the employer pays at least the collective agreement for the sector, with any customary overpayment. The residence authority must decide within eight weeks; the card is issued for up to two years and converts to the Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus, with free labour-market access, after 21 months of employment in the last 24.
For candidates from the Philippines, the qualification is normally the slowest part: the AMS compares the foreign training to the Austrian apprenticeship. The BMWET's Pre-Check register removes that step for listed Philippine qualifications, which is why we source register-matched profiles first. See the Pre-Check page for the detail.
Recruitment runs through our own DMW-licensed agency, Prime Search Manpower Agency Inc. in Makati (licence DMW-027-LB-11182024): your company is accredited at the Migrant Workers Office with jurisdiction for Austria, the job order is registered with the DMW, and every worker leaves Manila with a verified contract, medical clearance, pre-departure orientation and an Overseas Employment Certificate. The Philippine ban on direct hiring applies; the employer is always your company, directly.
Yes — the employer may file at the residence authority in Austria; we prepare the file and coordinate with the AMS regional office.
Not for this card; collective-agreement pay with customary overpayment applies. Other card types (Schlüsselkräfte) have salary thresholds.
Two to four weeks to a tested shortlist; eight weeks for the decision once filed; the Philippine exit steps in parallel — three to five months is realistic, longer if German preparation is part of the plan.
General information for employers, not legal or migration advice. Rules change; we re-verify before each hire.