AustriaWork

Austria seasonal work visa

Seasonal work in tourism, agriculture and forestry

In short

Austria admits third-country seasonal workers in tourism and agriculture/forestry within quotas. The employer obtains a quota permit from the AMS for up to six months, with a cap of nine months in any twelve; you then apply in person for a C or D visa.

Apply on Migration.gv.at – official Austrian migration portal checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to six months per permit; nine months in any 12-month period.
Fee
€195Type D visa EUR 195; for stays up to 90 days a type C visa costs EUR 90.
Work
Seasonal job with the employer named in the AMS permit.
Where to apply
Employer applies to the AMS; you apply in person at the Austrian representation for the visa.

Regular seasonal workers

If you worked at least three months in three of the previous five calendar years under quotas, you can register with the AMS as a regular seasonal worker and receive permits outside the quota and without a labour-market test, for up to six months, within nine months per calendar year.

What the employer must show

The regional AMS grants the quota permit only if no suitable Austrian worker or integrated foreign worker registered with the AMS is available, a quota place is free, the employer keeps to the applicable wage and working conditions and locally customary accommodation is available for the whole employment period. When a permit is renewed or the worker changes employer within the season, a free quota place is no longer needed.

Visa

You apply in person at the Austrian representation: a type C visa for stays up to 90 days or a type D visa for longer stays. A valid AMS employment permit is required, and you may not start work before the visa is issued. The official page names no nationality exclusions; check with the Austrian mission responsible for you.

Some Austrian missions accept seasonal workers holding the AMS notification letter without a regular appointment and publish their own information sheet for seasonal workers; check the website of the mission responsible for you.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport, photo and visa application form
  • Visa application form for type C or type D, signed

Travel

  • Proof of accommodation provided by the employer

Work

  • AMS employment permit (quota permit) obtained by the employer
  • AMS notification letter on the seasonal permit (needed for the walk-in slot)

Insurance

  • Health insurance

Fees

Type C visa EUR 90, type D visa EUR 195.

Quota permit

The labour ministry may set quotas, usually for tourism and agriculture/forestry. The employer applies to the regional AMS, which checks that no suitable worker is available locally, that a quota place is free, that pay and conditions meet the rules and that customary accommodation is provided. Harvest helper permits are limited to six weeks.

  1. The Austrian employer applies to the AMS for a quota permit.
  2. Once the permit is issued, apply in person for a C or D visa at the Austrian representation.
  3. Travel after the visa is issued and register your address.
  4. Start work only once the visa and permit are in place.

Renewal and multi-year visas

If the employment permit is renewed or a new one is issued, a worker staying lawfully in Austria on a seasonal visa can renew the visa at the locally competent State Police Directorate (LPD). Workers who have repeatedly worked lawfully as seasonal workers may receive a type C visa valid for up to five years for 90 days in any 180, but they still need an AMS permit for each season. A type D visa is required whenever the stay or the permit exceeds 90 days. Agricultural and forestry workers with quota employment in the previous three years can obtain permits for a total of nine months.

Family and settlement

Seasonal work gives no right to permanent settlement or to family reunification; relatives who want to visit apply for their own Schengen visa.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I work seasonally?

Up to six months per permit and nine months in any 12-month period.

Who applies for the permit?

The employer, at the regional AMS.

Can I start work on arrival?

Only once the visa has been issued on the basis of the AMS permit.

Can my family come with me?

No. Seasonal workers have no right to family reunification or permanent settlement.

Is there a multi-year visa for returning seasonal workers?

Yes. Workers with a record of lawful seasonal work can receive a type C visa valid up to five years, but each season still needs an AMS permit.

How long can harvest helpers stay?

Harvest helper quota permits are limited to six weeks.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Austria

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: Usually one year, extended on proof of study progress.

Work

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Usually 12 months; three years after Module 1 and two years of uninterrupted residence.

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: Generally one year; three years after completing Module 1 and two years of uninterrupted residence.
  • Permanent residence Validity: Card valid for five years, renewable; free labour-market access.

Protection

Austria visa guide