Traveling To Austria: Green Card Entry Requirements

Austria is a popular destination for expats, with its stunning Alpine scenery and rich cultural offerings. For those seeking to make it their long-term home, here's an overview of the requirements for entering and remaining in the country. US citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, for longer stays or employment, a visa is necessary. The type of visa and residence permit required depends on several factors, including the duration of stay, purpose of visit, and country of origin. Austrian immigration law distinguishes between third-country nationals and citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, with more stringent requirements for the former. This paragraph serves as an introduction to the topic of entering Austria on a green card, which we will explore in more detail, including the specific conditions, application process, and any exceptions.

US citizens can enter Austria without a visa for up to 90 days

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. This means that US citizens can enter Austria without a visa for up to 90 days. However, it is important to note that during this visa-free stay, US citizens are not permitted to take up any employment.

For stays exceeding 90 days, US citizens must obtain an Austrian visa. This can be done by applying for a visa prior to travelling to Austria at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General, or by applying in Austria before their 90-day stay has expired. It is important to note that work is not authorised until the appropriate visa has been obtained.

Additionally, starting in the spring of 2025, travellers from the US will require an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Austria.

Nationals of EU, EEA countries, Switzerland, and others (e.g. Australia, Japan, Canada, US) do not need a visa to enter Austria

If you are a national of an EU country, an EEA country, Switzerland, or another country like Australia, Japan, Canada, or the US, you do not need a visa to enter Austria. This is because Austria is part of the Schengen Area, which allows citizens of these countries to travel freely between them for up to 90 days without a visa. However, it is important to note that the visa-free travel is limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, and you may need to present proof of sufficient funds or a return ticket upon entry. Additionally, you must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area, although six months is recommended.

If you are a US citizen and plan to stay in Austria for more than 90 days or intend to work there, you must obtain an Austrian visa before your trip. You can do this by applying at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General, or by applying in Austria before your 90-day stay has expired. It is important to note that work is not authorized until the appropriate visa has been obtained.

For those seeking permanent residence in Austria, there are additional requirements to meet. These include having legal status in Austria for the past five years without interruption, being financially self-sufficient, maintaining health insurance and adequate accommodation registered with the government for those five years, and posing no threat to security or public order. Additionally, you must complete Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, which includes attaining a B1 level of German. The application for permanent residence must be submitted in person at the provincial government authority and costs €210 for adults, although this does not include translation and certification costs.

All other nationalities require a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days

If you are a national of a country within the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter Austria. However, all other nationalities require a Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days. This includes US citizens, who will need to obtain an Austrian visa if they intend to remain in Austria for a period exceeding 90 days or if they wish to work in Austria. It is important to note that visa-free travel for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens is limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, and employment is not permitted during this time.

To apply for a Schengen visa, individuals can use the software tool provided by the European Commission to plan their stay and calculate the remaining days of their authorised length of stay. The application must be submitted within a period of six months and no later than 15 calendar days before the intended start of the trip. Applications for Visa C (Tourism) and Visa D (for stays up to six months) can be submitted at the VFS Visa Application Center in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

For stays exceeding 90 days, individuals may need to apply for a residence permit. Third-country nationals, or persons who are not EEA citizens or Swiss nationals, need a residence permit for Austria when they plan to stay longer than six months. There are different types of residence permits available, including the Red-White-Red Card for qualified workers and citizens of third countries seeking to live and work in Austria. This card is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in their application.

To obtain a residence permit, individuals must meet certain general conditions, including having adequate means of subsistence, health insurance coverage, and adequate accommodation. They must also not pose a threat to public order or security. Applications for residence permits must be submitted from abroad to the Austrian representative authorities (embassy or consulate) before entry into Austria, and the competence of the representative authority depends on the applicant's place of residence.

To stay longer than 90 days, a visa is required

To stay in Austria for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa. US citizens can request a visa that will allow them to stay beyond 90 days by applying at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General before travelling to Austria, or by applying in Austria before their 90-day stay has expired.

If you are applying for a visa from within Austria, note that your application does not automatically prolong your right to stay beyond 90 days if the processing of your residence permit takes longer. In this case, you will need to apply for a residence permit from outside of Austria, at the respective Austrian Consulate in your country of residence.

To apply for a residency permit (for stays longer than six months), you need to schedule an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General by email. Before scheduling, read all the information regarding your application on the website of the Austrian Consulate General and make sure you have all the required documents. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will cause a delay in the visa process.

Every applicant (adults and children) is required to have a separate appointment. Your visa application must be submitted no later than 15 days before your planned trip.

If you are a third-country national (a person who is not an EEA citizen or Swiss national), you will need a residence permit to stay in Austria longer than six months. There are different types of residence permits. The Red-White-Red Card, for example, is for qualified workers and citizens of third countries seeking to live and work in Austria. It is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in their application.

To stay in Austria longer than six months, a residence permit is required

To stay in Austria for longer than six months, third-country nationals—those who are not citizens of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland—need to obtain a residence permit. This can be done by scheduling an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General by email. Before scheduling, it is important to read all the information regarding your application on the website and ensure that you have all the required documents.

The specific type of residence permit required depends on your personal situation. For instance, there are residence permits for pupils, students, and researchers, as well as permits for family reunification. The Red-White-Red Card is an option for qualified workers who are citizens of a third country and wish to live and work in Austria. This card is valid for 24 months and allows the holder to work for a specified employer. To be eligible for this card, you must fall into one of the following groups: Very Highly Qualified Workers, Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education, Regular Workers in Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry, or Self-employed Key Workers.

Regardless of the type of residence permit, there are general requirements that must be met. These include having adequate means of subsistence, health insurance coverage, and adequate accommodation. Additionally, your stay must not be contrary to public order, security, or Austria's relations with other countries.

Frequently asked questions