Schengen Visa: Exploring Austria And Beyond

Austria is one of the 27 countries that make up the Schengen area, which allows restriction-free travel between them. To travel to Austria, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your visit.

Schengen Visa requirements for Austria

Austria is one of the 27 countries in the Schengen Area, which allows restriction-free travel between them. A Schengen Visa is required for short trips to Austria of fewer than 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, for work or study reasons, you will need an Austrian work or study visa.

Who Needs to Apply for an Austrian Schengen Visa?

You need to apply for an Austrian Schengen Visa if you intend to visit the country for tourism, 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.

You will need to fill in a Schengen Visa application form and supply the following documents:

• Two recently taken passport-style photos
• A passport or other travel documents that are less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area
• Travel and medical insurance covering you up to costs of €30,000
• A cover letter stating your itinerary and the purpose of your visit, as well as a flight itinerary and proof of accommodation during your stay
• Proof of your civil status, like a marriage certificate, and proof you have means of subsistence during your stay. The amount you need to show you have will vary from country to country

Those planning to work or study will need additional documents. Proof of sufficient financial means is not specifically stipulated by the Austrian government and is regulated on a case-by-case basis. You can do this by showing bank statements, hotel bookings, and that your income or investments are enough to support yourself during your stay.

Austrian Visa Requirements for a Work, Business, or Student Visa

If you’re applying for a work visa to Austria, you will need to provide the embassy/consulate with documents that prove you meet the Austrian Schengen Visa requirements based on your employment status. If employed, you need an employment contract, a current bank statement, a no objection letter from your employer giving you leave to travel, and an income tax return. If self-employed, you will need a copy of your business license, company bank statements, and income tax returns. You will also need an invitation letter regardless of whether you are applying for a longer work visa or a short-stay visa for business or study.

Student visas require proof of enrolment at an Austrian institution, a no objection letter from your place of study in your homeland, and an invitation letter.

Steps to Follow When Applying for an Austrian Schengen Visa

• Work out which Austrian Schengen Visa type you need based on the purpose of your travel
• Collect the required documents for a visa to Austria
• Make a visa appointment with the Austrian Embassy/Consulate or an accredited visa application center in your home country
• Attend the visa interview at the appropriate Austrian Embassy
• Wait to see if your visa is approved—you can track your application online

Where to Apply for an Austrian Visa?

You will need to apply to the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence or a visa application center acting on their behalf. The official visa partner of Austria is VFS Global—so they may act on Austria’s behalf in your country. They can help arrange your appointment and track your application.

Visa application process

To travel to Austria, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Austria is one of the 27 countries in the Schengen Area, which allows restriction-free travel between them for those with a valid Schengen Visa. The type of visa you will need depends on the purpose and duration of your visit.

Step 1: Determine Visa Type

First, you need to work out which type of Austrian Schengen Visa you require. This will depend on the purpose of your travel. The most common types of visas are:

• Tourist Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Business Visa
• Work Visa
• Student Visa
• Spouse Visa
• Transit Visa
• Medical Visa
• Culture or Sports Visa

Step 2: Collect Documents

Once you have determined the type of visa you need, you can begin to collect the required documents. For all visas, you will need:

• A completed Schengen Visa application form
• Two recent passport-style photos
• A valid passport, issued less than 10 years ago, with at least two empty pages, valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area
• Travel and medical insurance covering you for up to €30,000
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of your stay and return journey
• Proof of accommodation during your stay
• Proof of civil status, such as a marriage certificate

Depending on the type of visa, you may also need to provide additional documents. For example, for a work visa, you will need to provide an employment contract, bank statement, and income tax return. For a student visa, you will need proof of enrolment at an Austrian institution.

Step 3: Submit Application

After you have collected all the necessary documents, you can submit your application. You will need to apply to the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence or a visa application centre acting on their behalf. In most cases, you will need to book an appointment to submit your application. You may be able to apply online.

Step 4: Attend Interview

In some cases, you may be required to attend an interview as part of the visa application process. During the interview, you may be asked questions about your marital status, travel plans, and financial situation. You will need to provide supporting documents such as bank statements and your itinerary.

Step 5: Track Application

After submitting your application, you can track its progress online. The processing time for a Schengen Visa is usually up to 15 days, but it can take up to 60 days in extreme circumstances. You can apply for your visa up to six months before your travel date, but it is recommended to apply at least one month in advance.

Visa types

There are several types of visas available for those wishing to travel to Austria, which is a member of the Schengen Area. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose and duration of your visit. Here is a list of the most common types of visas for Austria:

• Short-stay visas (Type C): This is the most common type of visa for Europe. It allows holders to visit and stay in one or all of the Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This visa is typically used for tourism, business trips, or visiting friends and family.
• Long-stay visas (Type D): If you plan to stay in a particular Schengen country for more than 90 days, you will need a long-stay or national visa. This type of visa is issued by a single Schengen member state and allows you to stay in that country for purposes such as work, training, internships, or study. While it is not technically a "Schengen visa," it does allow holders to travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Airport Transit visas (Type A): This type of visa is for travellers who need to transit through a Schengen country's airport on their way to a non-Schengen destination. It does not allow the holder to leave the transit area of the airport.
• Business visas: Business visas are for travellers who wish to conduct business activities in the Schengen Area. This can include meetings, conferences, or training.
• Student visas: Student visas are for those who wish to stay and study in a particular country within the Schengen Area. The visa is granted by the country where the applicant plans to study.
• Working visas: Working visas allow holders to stay and work in a selected country within the Schengen Area. Citizens of certain countries, such as the USA, Australia, Canada, and Japan, may apply for a residence/working visa upon their entry into the Schengen Area.
• Transit visas: There are two types of transit visas. Type A is for airport transit, as described above. Type B is a transit visa valid for 5 days, which allows the holder to travel through the Schengen Area en route to their final destination outside the Schengen Area.
• Single, double, or multiple-entry visas: Depending on the frequency of your visits, you may be issued a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa. A single-entry visa becomes invalid after you leave the Schengen Area, even if the validity period has not expired. A double-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area twice, and a multiple-entry visa allows unlimited entries and exits within the validity period, as long as you do not stay more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Limited territorial validity visas: This type of visa restricts travel to specific Schengen countries and is usually granted for humanitarian reasons or in urgent cases.

When applying for a visa, you will generally need to provide the following documents:

• A completed visa application form
• A valid passport or travel document
• A passport photo
• Travel and medical insurance that covers you for up to €30,000
• Proof of sufficient funds for your trip
• Proof of accommodation during your stay
• Proof of civil status (e.g., a marriage certificate)
• A cover letter stating your itinerary and the purpose of your visit

Please note that the visa requirements and application process can vary depending on your country of origin and the specific Austrian embassy or consulate where you are applying. It is recommended to consult the official websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Visa costs

The cost of a Schengen visa depends on the age of the applicant. As of 11 June 2024, the fees are as follows:

• Adults (aged 12 and older): €90
• Children (aged 6 to 11): €45
• Children (younger than 6 years old): Free

The fee must be paid when submitting the application and is non-refundable. If you are applying from the UK, you can pay by debit or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

The price of the Schengen Visa may also vary according to the nationality of the applicant. For example, under the corresponding visa facilitation agreement, nationals of Cabo Verde pay a fee of €67.50, while visa fees under other visa facilitation agreements remain at €35.

In addition to the visa fee, you must also pay for travel insurance covering you up to €30,000. AXA offers travel insurance for as low as €22 per week, which meets the visa requirements.

Certain external service providers mandated by the Austrian consular authorities may charge service fees, which are also non-refundable.

Visa extensions

Extensions for short-stay Schengen visas are permitted under the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009. This regulation establishes the Community Code on Visas. According to this code, your visa can be extended due to unexpected situations beyond your control. This includes:

• Medical conditions
• Strong personal reasons
• Natural disasters
• Civil unrest and political conflicts
• War and armed conflict
• Terrorist attacks
• Epidemics and pandemics
• Personal emergencies

Applying for a Visa Extension

You should apply for a visa extension in the Schengen country where you are currently located and need the extension. In Austria, the competent Austrian representative authority (embassy, consulate with power to issue a visa) in your country of residence will handle your application.

When to Apply

You must apply for your visa extension before your current visa expires. If you apply even one day after your visa is no longer valid, your request will not be approved, regardless of the reason for delay.

Required Documents

• Schengen visa extension application form
• Valid passport
• Passport-sized photograph
• Proof of financial means
• Travel health insurance
• Reason for visa extension

Processing Time

It takes a few weeks to a month to process your request for an extension.

Fees

There are two different fees for Schengen visa extensions:

• First Visa Extension Fee: €30 for important personal reasons or late entry. No fee for humanitarian reasons or force majeure.
• Second Visa Extension Fee: €60, regardless of the reason for extension. Minors pay half the amount.

Duration of Extension

Your visa can be extended for up to 90 days or longer, depending on the decision of the authorities handling your application.

Frequently asked questions