Applying For An Austrian Visa: A Guide For Japanese Citizens

Japanese citizens with a valid Japanese passport can enter Austria without a visa and stay for up to six months. However, if they plan to work during their stay, they will need to apply for a visa and a work permit from the Public Employment Service Austria. Japanese citizens can also apply for a Working Holiday Programme visa, which allows them to work and stay in Austria for up to 12 months. The application process for an Austria visa involves submitting various documents, including proof of sufficient funds, travel insurance, and accommodation. Applications can be made at the Austrian Embassy in Tokyo or a VFS Global office in Tokyo or Osaka.

Japanese passport requirements

To apply for an Austria visa from Japan, Japanese passport holders are required to submit a range of documents. Japanese citizens can enter Austria without a visa and stay for up to six months as a visitor, tourist, or business traveller. However, if they intend to work during their stay, a visa is required. Here are the detailed Japanese passport requirements for applying for an Austria visa:

Valid Passport:

The applicant's Japanese passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the last day of the applied visa's validity. The passport should also have at least two free pages and be no older than ten years. One photocopy of the passport biodata page is required when opting for passport collection.

Supporting Documents:

• Photocopies of personal details and all visas from the last three years.
• Residence permit in Japan (original and photocopy) valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.
• One recent passport-size colour photo (not older than six months) with a white background.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the initial stay in Austria, including travel, health, and accident insurance (minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 for each medical expense and repatriation, including COVID-19 coverage).
• Proof of means of transportation to and from Austria or sufficient funds to purchase tickets.
• Confirmed accommodation reservation in Austria and any other Schengen country included in the trip.
• If employed, a recent original employer letter on letter-headed paper, showing company address, phone number, start date of employment, position, and income.
• If self-employed, a recent original letter from the applicant's accountant, solicitor, or local Chamber of Commerce, confirming self-employment or business ownership in Japan, including an income statement.
• If a student, a recent original school, college, or university letter.

Application Process:

The Austrian Embassy in Tokyo accepts applications in all consular areas, including visas, residence permits, passports, and citizenship matters. However, an appointment is required for submission, and personal appearances without prior confirmation are not allowed. Appointment requests can be made online.

It is important to note that Japanese nationals who have stayed visa-free in Austria for 90 days or more and then exited cannot re-enter Austrian territory to prolong their visa-free stay. In such cases, they must either wait 90 days after exiting before re-entering or apply for a visa D before travelling to Austria again.

Working Holiday Programme

Japanese citizens can enter Austria without a visa and stay for up to six months. However, if they intend to work during their stay, they will need to apply for a Working Holiday Visa.

Working Holiday Visa Requirements:

• A valid Japanese passport (valid for at least three months after the last day of the visa's validity, with a minimum of two blank pages, and not older than 10 years).
• Sufficient health, accident, and travel insurance for the entire period of the stay (minimum coverage of EUR 30,000).
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses at the beginning of the stay.
• Proof of means of transportation to and from Austria or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket.
• Proof of accommodation, at least for the initial time of the stay.
• A work permit issued by the Public Employment Service Austria ("AMS - Arbeitsmarktservice") must be attached to the visa application.
• Photocopies of the personal details and all visas, including the last three years of Schengen visas.
• One recent (not older than six months), passport-size, colour photo with a white background.
• A recent original employer letter (on letter-headed paper) showing the company's address, phone number, start of employment, position, and income.
• Confirmed accommodation reservation in Austria and any other Schengen country included in the planned trip.

Working Holiday Visa Application Process:

• Japanese citizens can apply for a Working Holiday Visa at the Austrian Embassy in Tokyo.
• Applications should be made in person and at least three weeks before the scheduled departure. The embassy recommends submitting applications as early as possible, as they cannot guarantee the timely issuance of visas for short-notice applications.
• Applicants must request an appointment online and provide proof of being alive.
• The Working Holiday Visa for Austria is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the first day of entry.
• Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old.
• The visa application can be submitted up to three months before and no later than three weeks before the intended visit.

Supporting documents

To apply for an Austria visa from Japan, you must submit several supporting documents along with your application form and passport. Here is a detailed list of the supporting documents required:

• Valid Japanese passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the last day of validity of the applied visa, have at least two free pages, and be no older than 10 years. You will need to submit the original passport and one photocopy of the bio data page.
• Proof of sufficient funds: You must demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to cover the initial period of your stay in Austria. This can include bank statements, salary slips, or other relevant documents.
• Proof of travel arrangements: Provide evidence of your means of transportation to and from Austria, such as flight reservations or sufficient funds to purchase travel tickets.
• Proof of accommodation: Submit confirmed accommodation reservations or proof of your accommodation arrangements in Austria for at least the initial part of your stay.
• Travel, health, and accident insurance: Obtain adequate insurance coverage for your entire stay in Austria, including medical expenses and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. Ensure that your insurance covers COVID-19-related expenses as well.
• Residence permit in Japan (if applicable): Provide the original document and a photocopy of your residence permit, valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area.
• Recent passport-size photograph: Include one recent colour photo (not older than 6 months) with a white background, measuring 35 x 45 mm in passport photo format.
• Proof of employment, self-employment, or student status: Depending on your situation, provide one of the following:
• Employees: A recent original letter from your employer on headed paper, showing the company's address, phone number, your position, start date of employment, and income.
• Self-employed individuals: A recent original letter from your accountant, solicitor, or the local Chamber of Commerce, confirming your self-employment or business ownership in Japan, along with an income statement.
• Students: A recent original letter from your school, college, or university confirming your enrolment.
• Photocopies of visas and personal details: Provide photocopies of all visas from the last three years, as well as photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport.
• Other supporting documents: Depending on your specific situation and the requirements of the Austrian authorities, you may also need to submit additional documents such as hotel reservations, invitations, booking confirmations, proof of return flight ticket, or proof of gainful employment.

Please note that the list of supporting documents may not be exhaustive, and it is recommended to consult the official websites of the Austrian Embassy in Tokyo or the relevant consular services for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.

Visa application centre

The Austria Visa Application Centre in Japan provides a platform for Japanese citizens to apply for visas to enter Austria. The centre offers a range of services to assist applicants in the visa application process.

Firstly, it is important to note that Japanese citizens holding a valid Japanese passport can enter Austria without a visa and stay for up to six months as visitors, tourists, or business travellers. However, if the stay exceeds three months, a direct departure from Austria to Japan is required. In cases where a direct departure is not planned, and transit through a Schengen country is intended, a visa from the respective country of departure must be obtained.

For Japanese citizens who require or prefer to have a visa, the Visa Application Centre facilitates the process. Applicants can schedule an interview appointment, which is necessary as consular hours at the embassy are restricted. To schedule an interview, applicants must provide certain personal information, including their family name, given name, date of birth, phone number, address, email, application date, and passport details.

The Visa Application Centre also offers an SMS service to update applicants on the status of their application. This service is optional and subject to terms and conditions outlined by VFS Global. Applicants are responsible for providing accurate mobile phone information and ensuring the confidentiality of their information.

In addition to the standard visa requirements, applicants may be requested to provide additional documentation, such as hotel reservations, invitations, booking confirmations, return flight tickets, or proof of employment. It is recommended to contact the Austrian representation (BMEIA) in advance for detailed information on specific requirements.

Visa processing time

Japanese citizens holding a valid Japanese passport do not need an entry visa for Austria. They can enter and stay in Austria for up to six months from the date of entry as visitors, tourists, or business travellers. However, if they have already stayed in Austria for 90 days visa-free and wish to re-enter Austrian territory, they must wait 90 days after their exit or submit a visa D application before travelling to Austria again.

If a Japanese citizen intends to work during their short stay in Austria, they will need to apply for a visa. The work permit issued by the Public Employment Service Austria ("AMS - Arbeitsmarktservice") must be attached to the visa application. A stay in Austria beyond six months from the day of first entry is subject to a residence permit.

The Austrian Embassy in Tokyo accepts applications in all consular areas, including visas, residence permits, passports, and citizenship matters. The Austrian Embassy Tokyo's consular hours are restricted, and only a limited number of people may visit the consulate per day, so every application requires an appointment. Appointment requests can be made online, and applicants should submit their requests as early as possible.

The time required to process a visa application varies and depends on several factors. Applicants can opt for the Short Messaging Service (SMS) to receive updates on the current status of their application. The SMS service is available from the time of application until the completion of processing.

To apply for a visa, applicants will need to provide the following documents:

• Valid passport (valid until at least three months after the last day of validity of the applied visa, at least two free pages, not older than 10 years)
• Passport photo (recent, passport-size, colour with a white background)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of means of transportation to and from Austria
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of travel, health, and accident insurance
• Residence permit in Japan (original + photocopy)
• Proof of employment or student status
• Application reference number
• Personal information (e.g., family name, given name, date of birth, phone number, address, email address)

Frequently asked questions