Austria Seasonal Worker Visa Application Process

The seasonal worker visa allows foreigners, including non-European nationals, to come to Austria temporarily and work in particular industries. Most seasonal workers get opportunities in the country’s agricultural and tourism sectors. To qualify, you need a work permit and a visa.

Conditions for the Austrian Seasonal Worker Visa

As mentioned above, you must have a work permit and a valid visa to get seasonal employment in Austria. However, some nationalities are exempted from issuing visas during application.

The Federal Minister of Labour and Economy in Austria sets the yearly quota to employ seasonal workers. Notably, the agricultural and tourism sectors have special quotas.

Application Procedure for Austrian Seasonal Worker Visas

Your employer must apply for a work permit from the Austrian Public Employment Service. This authority grants work permits according to the quotas fixed by the labour ministry. Your employer must also prove its ability to pay minimum wage, provide good working conditions, and provide sound accommodation for your employment.
Once you get the work permit, the next step is to apply for a visa. Depending on the duration of your work permit, you will receive a Category C or Category D visa. Category C visas are for short-term contracts, while Category D visas are for contracts lasting more than 90 days.

Fees

When applying for a visa, you must pay a specified fee. Currently, the government charges EUR 60 for category C visas and EUR 100 for category D visas.

How Do You Get an Austrian Seasonal Worker Visa?

If you need help finding a seasonal job or applying for a visa in Austria, you can contact government-approved agents. These agencies can offer valuable insights on how to get permits and visas. Click on this link and pick your country. Once there, you’ll be able to see your country’s representative and their location. This is where you will send your application.

Rights and Duties of Austrian Seasonal Workers

The government emphasizes providing decent working and living conditions for seasonal workers. Several legal provisions and measures aim to prevent employee abuse.

For instance, an employer will only receive a work permit if they prove their workers will receive similar treatment to Austrian nationals doing the same job.

Here are the rights enjoyed by seasonal workers.

Wages

The minimum monthly remuneration for unskilled and untrained workers in the tourism sectors is EUR 1,540. If the employer pays hourly, this translates to EUR 8.10 per hour.

Accommodation

The government requires all employers to provide adequate accommodation to seasonal workers during their stay in Austria. Moreover, the rent must not be excessive compared to the quality of the house and must not be automatically deducted from the employee’s salary.

What Types of Jobs Can You Get with an Austrian Seasonal Worker Visa?

As mentioned earlier, most temporary jobs are available in the agricultural and tourism sectors. The European Migration Network Report shows that the country issued about 50,000 seasonal work permits between 2016 and 2019.

The leading roles in the agricultural sector include growing fruits and flowers, livestock maintenance, hunting, and fishing. On the other hand, the tourism sector covers hotel services, cinemas, cultural facilities, and so on.

Where To Apply For Seasonal Jobs In Austria

If you are looking for a seasonal job in Austria, here are some links to various websites that are currently hiring. Remember to do all the research you did just to be sure.