Visa Applications For Travel to Austria.
For short stays of up to 90 days.
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Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
Third-country nationals who are required to hold a visa and wish to travel to Austria for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business trips, family visits, short-term study or medical treatment can apply for an Austria Schengen visa. As Austria is a member of the EU and the Schengen area, short-stay visa applications are governed by the common Schengen visa rules. A visa to Austria is more commonly referred to as a Schengen visa.
Austrian embassies around the world receive on average a total of 300,000 visa applications per year. We highly recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to increase the likelihood that it will be accepted in time for your trip to Austria. You will be denied boarding on your aircraft if you do not have valid visa paperwork.
In 1995, the Schengen agreement was created between Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. After 1995, numerous additional European nations joined the agreement, establishing the Schengen region. A Schengen visa is an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It may be issued as a single-entry visa, a multiple-entry visa or an airport transit visa. Schengen area members include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. You may need a Schengen visa to travel to these countries, depending on your nationality and circumstances.
Even though Austria has been a member of the Schengen region since 1997 and is subject to its rules, there are minor differences in local laws and procedures from other nations.
The following is a standard set of documents required for submitting a Schengen visa application for travel to Austria. Upon submission of your application, you will be provided a more bespoke checklist for your particular case:
You may be eligible for one of the following visa categories depending on the reason for your stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Syria require an airport transit visa to stay in the international transit zone of an Austrian airport, unless an exemption applies.
An Austria business visa is a short-term visa that is required for individuals or groups from a third country (neither citizens of the European Economic Area nor Switzerland) who are attending designated meetings, unpaid training, or business-related events that do not involve labour or compensation. Business visas to Austria require more documentation than other category C visas, including but not limited to evidence of trip finance, employment certification, and an invitation letter from an Austrian employer.
A tourist visa is provided to foreign travellers who want to visit Austria for tourism purposes. Austrian tourist visa applications are submitted through the competent Austrian consulate, embassy or authorised visa application centre, depending on the country of application.
If you want to go to Austria to visit a relative or friend resident in the nation, you must get an Austria visiting visa. To get one, you must have an invitation letter from the person you are visiting.
A Schengen cultural visa allows people or groups to visit a Schengen nation for various reasons, including participation in cultural events, sports, or filmmaking. To get a Schengen cultural visa, it is necessary to submit a letter from both the sending and receiving organizations stating the purpose of the visit.
A Schengen medical treatment visa is provided to those who want to obtain medical care in a Schengen nation. A Schengen medical treatment visa requires several extra papers, including but not limited to proof of accommodation, payment to the medical institution, and a letter of acceptance from the receiving medical institution.
Visa D permits stays of 91 days to 6 months in Austria. Third-country nationals intending to stay for more than 6 months generally need an Austrian residence permit.
Students from third countries who want to study in Austria for 91 days to 6 months may need a Visa D. Students intending to stay for more than 6 months generally need a residence permit for students. The proof of enrolment, the most recent transcript, and a certificate of no objection from the receiving institution are the supplementary papers necessary when applying for a category D student visa. German proficiency is also required for university degree programs in Austria.
Third-country nationals who want to work in Austria generally need the appropriate visa, residence title or work authorisation for their circumstances. Qualified third-country workers may be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card, which is a combined residence and work permit usually issued for 24 months.
Very highly qualified third-country nationals who do not yet have a job offer may apply for a Job Seeker Visa to stay in Austria for up to 6 months to look for work. If they find suitable employment, they may apply for a Red-White-Red Card.
Family reunification rules depend on the sponsor’s status and the residence title applied for. Family members generally include spouses, registered partners and unmarried minor children, including adoptive and stepchildren; spouses and registered partners must usually be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
Researchers intending to stay in Austria for 91 days to 6 months may need a Visa D. Researchers intending to stay for more than 6 months generally need the appropriate Austrian residence permit.
For third-country nationals, an internship or other gainful activity in Austria may require the appropriate visa, residence title or employment authorisation, depending on the duration and purpose of stay. The applicant has to provide proof of adequate means of sustenance, accommodation, and reason for the stay.
It could be a short-stay Schengen C visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, a national D visa for stays of 91 days to 6 months, or a residence permit for longer stays in Austria.
Visa-Applications.org may provide an update on your enquiry or service request, but this is not a visa decision and does not reduce the official consular processing time. Appointments cannot be guaranteed as part of the express service as these are subject to availability at the relevant Austrian Embassy in your locality. During the busy season (March – September), appointments can be fully booked for months in advance.
Once an admissible Schengen visa application has been lodged, the normal processing time is 15 calendar days. This may be extended to up to 45 calendar days if a more detailed examination of the application or additional documents are required. Courier return time is separate from the visa decision time. There is no general Schengen-wide priority or express decision service guaranteeing a faster decision. Applications should be submitted as early as possible within the permitted timeframe: at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit and no earlier than 6 months before travel.
There are 27 Schengen members states in Europe. When granted an Austria Schengen Visa, it will usually be valid for all Schengen member states which you can find further up this page.
A travel document or passport with a minimum validity of three months. Copies of all previously issued Schengen Visas (if applicable) Schengen Travel Insurance covering medical situations for at least €30,000. Cover letter detailing your visit’s purpose and agenda.
Visa D, a national visa, is subject to national legislation and allows the holder to remain in Austria for 91 days to six months. They are available for a single or numerous submissions.
Schengen application decisions can be appealed if you feel there has been a mistake during the decision. In most cases, applications are rejected due to missing supporting documents and you can simply re-apply as soon as you have the missing documentation.
