Job opportunity for a Canadian in Austria?

Question

I am looking into moving to Austria for a year or so to work as a cook. I have attended culinary college here in Canada, and am a registered appretice. I would like to find an employer in Austria to hire me on, and help set me up with some kind of lodgings. Can someone please email me some places that I can look into. Location does not really matter to me just the opportunity to work in Austria as a cook is very appealing.

Thanks.

Answer 1

The user above me has already provided a good answer so I'll just link you to some websites that have job offers.

http://www.jobsinaustria.at/

http://www.gastrojobs.com/ (site is in german but they're looking especially for cooks and waiters)

http://www.jobrapido.at/?q=koch%20%C3%B6... (Again, this site is in german again, i typed 'Koch' (cook)

For more information, you could also go to the Austrian embassy in Canada or just look up in the internet, it's easy to find all the information about work permits etc.

Answer 2

I'm sure there are more sites out there (PLEASE be VERY cautious), but here's one:  http://www.jobsinaustria.at/Marktplatz/J...

The process for non EU-citizensThe process for receiving full rights to stay and work in Austria includes several steps and depends on what you plan to do there. Please keep in mind, all visa applications have to be issued from outside Austria, before you travel.

Work permits

Which permit do you need and how to apply

Whatever job you take in Austria, you need the relevant work permit. Depending on your qualification, the situation on the labour market and the duration of your stay there are different options.

The Austrian authorities issue three types of work permits. What type of permit you can or will get depends on your personal situation, your future plans and (unfortunately) on some other factors you might not be able to influence.

Restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung for one year)

Work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis for two years)

Unrestricted work permit (Befreiungsschein for five years)

The restricted work permit is issued for a specific job and employer at a specific location. If you change your job or even if you just change site while working for the same company, you will need to apply for a new Beschäftigungsbewilligung. If you have worked (using the restricted permit) for one year, you can either get another restricted permit, or you can apply for the real work permit - Arbeitserlaubnis, valid for one specific district within Austria and allowing you to change employer. After two years, you can renew the work permit.

If you have made it so far and you have worked legally for five years, you can then apply for the unrestricted permit - Befreiungsschein. If you get it, you are free to choose any job in any district of Austria for a period of five years. If you manage to find a company which supports your application, things move quickly and smoothly.

In summary: You first apply for the restricted work permit. Then you need at least two periods (2 years each) of employment with the work permit. And then, after five years, you can get the unrestricted work permit.

Does this sound complex to you? Yes, it is complex and takes a lot of time and paperwork. If you manage to find a company which supports your application, things move quickly and smoothly.