Austria Visa Application & Approval – There are several reasons why people visit Austria, but no matter what the reason for your visit, if you are a foreigner planning to go to Austria, you will probably need a visa. Whether an Austrian visa is required or not depends on several factors, such as your nationality, the duration of your stay, or the purpose of the visit.
The German-speaking country of Austria has an area of 83,871km2 in the old continent of Europe. It is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita GDP terms, and amongst the most powerful economies in the European Union.
Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked East Alpine country in the southern part of Central Europe. It is composed of nine federated states, one of which is Vienna, Austria’s capital, and largest city. Located at the centre of European traffic between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes, the country remains a top tourism attraction in Europe.
Austria is famous for its castles, palaces, and buildings, among other architectural works. Some of Austria’s most famous castles include Festung Hohensalzburg, Burg Hohenwerfen, Castle Liechtenstein, and the Schloß Artstetten. Many of Austria’s castles were created during the Habsburg reign.
Austria is also known for its mountain railways and trains such as the Giselabahn. Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the German sports car company ‘Porsche’, was from Austria. Former Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up in Austria. 62% of Austria is covered by the Austrian Alps. From its stunning capital, Vienna, to beautiful, picturesque ski resorts of the Alps, Austria is a wonderful place to visit.
Austria Visa Application & Approval- Get your Visa Approved
AUSTRIAN VISA POLICY
There are several reasons why people visit Austria, but no matter what the reason for your visit, if you are a foreigner planning to go to Austria, you will probably need a visa. Whether an Austrian visa is required or not depends on several factors, such as your nationality, the duration of your stay, or the purpose of the visit.
You need to apply for an Austrian Schengen Visa if you intend to visit the country for tourism and recreation, business purposes, visiting friends or family, cultural and sporting events, airport and seafaring transit visits, official visits, medical treatment, short-term study, and research purposes.
Depending on your reasons for visiting the Schengen Area and the frequency of your visits, the Schengen consulate can issue you a single, double, or a multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days. However, if you are a frequent traveler, you may apply to obtain a multiple-entry Schengen Visa valid for up to five years. On each visit, you will only be able to stay within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
To travel to Austria for a short trip lasting fewer than 90 days, you will need an Austrian Schengen Visa, as it is part of the Schengen Area of European countries that have abolished border controls between each other. If you plan to stay longer, for work or study reasons, you will require an Austrian work or study visa.
Foreign travelers have been able to apply for the Austrian Schengen Visa since 1997 when Austria as an EU Member State also became a member state of the Schengen Area. In 2017 alone, 304,556 short-term visa applications were filed at the Austrian embassies/consulates around the world. It is estimated that 38.6 million tourists, including EU nationals, visited the country in the same year.
TYPES OF AUSTRIAN VISAS
There are three main types of Austrian Visa:
- TOURIST VISA
- ETIAS Austria Visa Waiver
- Schengen Visa for Austria
- RESIDENCE PERMIT
- Education Permit
- Family Visa
- Residence permit for executives
- WORK VISA
- Red -White-Red Card
- EU Blue Card
- Jobseeker Visa
WHAT TYPE OF VISA DO YOU NEED TO ENTER AUSTRIA
If you are planning to visit Austria for a short stay trip (up to 90 days), then you have to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa to Austria, known also as a C-type visa.
Depending on your purpose of entry to Austria, you can get one of the following Schengen visa types for Austria:
- AUSTRIAN AIRPORT VISA – for those who need to transit through one of the Austrian airports, to reach their travel destination country, outside the Schengen Area.
- AUSTRIAN TOURIST VISA – for those wishing to visit Austria for holidays or sightseeing.
- AUSTRIAN VISITOR VISA – for travelers who want to visit friends or family members residing in Austria.
- AUSTRIAN BUSINESS VISA – for businesspeople who need to attend business-related activities in Austria.
- AUSTRIAN VISA FOR OFFICIAL VISIT – for Official Delegations coming to Austria on an official trip.
- AUSTRIAN MEDICAL VISA – for people seeking medical treatment in Austria.
- AUSTRIAN STUDY VISA –for students that wish to attend a course for up to three months at an educational institution in Austria.
- AUSTRIAN VISA FOR CULTURAL, SPORTS, AND FILM CREWS – for people wishing to attend an activity in Austria that belongs this nature.
AUSTRIAN VISA REQUIREMENTS
In order to apply for an Austria visa you need to prepare a few documents:
- Passport/ Traveling Document. Your passport needs to have at least two blank pages and it needs to be valid for at least six months and issued within the last decade.
- Visa Application Form. You need to fill this in and get it signed. You can find the form here https://www.bmi.gv.at/202/Fremdenpolizei_und_Grenzkontrolle/Einreise/files/Beilage_1_Formular_C1_BF_20200203.pdf.
- Recent Pictures. These photos need to follow the Schengen visa photo rules as set by ICAO.
- Visa Fee. You need to pay a certain amount in order to apply for your visa. The fee depends on the type of visa (see below).
- A Letter of Purpose. You need to clearly state the reason for your visit.
- An Itinerary. You must provide correct dates for your flights and your plans during the trip.
- Travel Insurance. You must have Schengen travel insurance that covers any medical and emergency issues up to 30,000€.
- Civil Status Documents. This can include birth certificates or your marriage license.
- Proof of Accommodation. You need to provide your hotel reservation or proof for any other type of accommodations you have secured.
- Proof of Financial Means. You need to provide proof that you have enough means to finance your travels to Austria.
- Copies of Previous Schengen Visa. Applicable only if you have had a Schengen visa before.
Depending on your visa and the reason for your visit you may need additional documents:
- University records (if you are a student).
- Employment contract.
- Bank statement.
- Proof of pension (if you are retired).
- Business license (if you are self-employed).
- Proof of invitation (if you are visiting family or applying for a residence permit for reunification purposes).
- Medical records (if you are seeking medical help).
For a minor traveling to Austria you will need a few other documents:
- Birth certificate.
- Copies of travel documents (both parents).
- Austria application form (signed by both parents).
- Family court permission (if one parent has custody).
- Official parental authorization (if the child is traveling alone).
HOW TO APPLY FOR A VISA TO AUSTRIA
The steps for applying for an Austria visa are:
- Make sure you have a clear idea of what type of visa you need. Even though the application process is the same, the required documents differ depending on the visa.
- Find an embassy/consulate or official representative of the Austrian government in your country.
- Call the embassy to set a date for your application.
- Prepare all the necessary documents.
- After you have prepared all the documents, hand them over at the embassy/consulate.
WHERE TO APPLY FOR AN AUSTRIA VISA
For an Austria visa, you need to apply in your local embassy or consulate. Visas are issued by an institution of the Austrian government in your country. You can find them through the online generator https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassies-consulates/search-for-austrian-representations/.
AUSTRIA ENTRY RESTRICTIONS IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Austria, as well as the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020.
With the improved epidemiological situation in the EU and abroad, Austria has lifted the entry ban for residents of the following third-countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, and Uruguay.
In addition, third-country residents travelling to Austria for the purposes listed below can also enter the country:
- To maintain goods traffic
- To carry out a repatriation trip or flight
- For reasons that are particularly worth considering in the family circle
- For imperative reasons of animal care
- As part of a transfer trip or flight
- In the interest of the Republic of Austria
- To visit to the life partner
There are also exceptions for the following categories:
- Members of diplomatic missions
- Employees of international organizations
- Humanitarian workers
- Nursing and health personnel
- Seasonal workers
- Transit passengers
- People who work in freight transport.
All those qualifying to enter Austria according to the lists given above must carry a medical certificate in order to be able to enter. The medical certificate must provide a negative PCR test which was made no more than 72 hours previously. After entering the country, a 10-day period of quarantine at home or elsewhere has to be adhered to. The quarantine can be ended if a PCR test, which is made in the meantime, is negative.
For more information on Austrian Visa application and requirement, please visit https://www.austriavisas.com/
