Applying For A Tourist Visa In Vienna, Austria: A Guide

If you're planning a trip to Vienna, Austria, you may need to apply for a tourist visa. The requirements for a visa depend on your nationality, the purpose and duration of your stay, and whether you are already located within the Schengen Area. For example, if you are a resident of a country within the Schengen Area or the EEA/EU, you will not need a tourist visa to enter Austria. However, if you are a third-country national, you will likely need a visa to enter Austria, and you will need to ensure that your passport remains valid throughout your stay. To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to prepare several documents, including a passport, visa application form, identity pictures, and a visa fee. You will also need to provide a detailed travel itinerary and, depending on your circumstances, additional documents such as proof of invitation or an employment letter. It is important to note that the visa application process can be complex, and you should carefully review the requirements and consult official sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Visa requirements and exemptions

The visa requirements for a tourist visa to Austria vary depending on the applicant's nationality, purpose of travel, and duration of stay. Here are the essential details:

• Nationals of the Schengen Area, EEA, or EU do not require a tourist visa to enter Austria.
• Nationals from other countries, known as third-country nationals, are generally subject to a visa requirement and must apply for a tourist visa.
• The type of visa needed depends on the length of stay. For stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, a Type C visa is required. For longer stays exceeding 90 days but not more than six months, a Type D visa is necessary.
• To apply for a tourist visa, individuals must contact their local official authority, which could be an embassy or consulate, or an official representation of the Austrian government that handles visas.
• The application process typically involves submitting a visa application form, a valid passport, identity pictures or passport photos, and other supporting documents.
• Supporting documents may include a detailed travel itinerary, proof of invitation from a host in Austria, and an employment letter.
• Applicants may also need to demonstrate sufficient funds for their trip and provide proof of travel medical insurance covering their stay.
• Some nationalities may be exempt from certain requirements or may have specific agreements in place, as determined by Austrian federal law or inter-country agreements.
• Students planning to stay in Austria for less than six months can apply for either a Visa C or Visa D, depending on the duration of their stay. These visas are free of charge for students.
• Family members of Austrian residents or citizens can apply for a Visa C or Visa D, depending on the length of their stay. They may be exempt from visa requirements for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• It is important to note that visa applications are assessed individually by the competent consulate, and there is no legal entitlement to a visa.

Application process and documents

The application process for a tourist visa to Austria can be completed by following these steps:

Firstly, determine whether you need a visa. If you are a resident of a country within the Schengen Area, the EEA, or the EU, you will not need a tourist visa to enter Austria. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can refer to the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria, for current visa information.

If you do need a visa, you can apply at your local official authority, which can include an embassy or consulate, or an official representation of the Austrian government that can issue visas. You can use an online generator to find the nearest representative authority.

The application process must be completed in person and you should apply at least four weeks before you intend to enter Austria. The application will require you to submit the following documents:

• A valid passport with two blank pages, issued within the last ten years, and which will not expire during your visit.
• A completed visa application form, which must be printed, filled out, signed, and attached to the rest of your documents.
• Two recent identity pictures in passport photo format (35 x 45 mm).
• A visa fee receipt.
• A detailed travel itinerary.
• Copies of any previous Schengen Visas.
• An invitation letter, if applicable.
• An employment letter, if applicable.

All documents must be in English or German. If your documents are in another language, you must include certified translations.

In addition to these documents, the Austrian consulate will examine the following conditions for each individual visa applicant:

• The plausibility and verifiability of the purpose of the trip to Austria.
• The means of substance for living and travel expenses from own assets or income.
• The willingness of the visa holder to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires.
• The presentation of an adequate and valid travel medical insurance policy, covering the period of the intended stay, or, if a multiple-entry visa is applied for, the period of the first intended visit with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

Visa fees and processing times

The visa fee depends on your profile and the type of visa. If you are a national of a country for which the visa requirement has been lifted by means of an EU regulation, you are entitled to visa-free entry to Austria for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days. Nationals subject to an EU visa facilitation agreement must pay the amount set out in the agreement (usually €35) if they are not already exempt from fees under the agreement.

For stays of less than 90 days/three months, you do not need a visa if you are entitled to enter Austria without one. For stays of more than 90 days but not exceeding six months, you can apply for a visa D, which costs €100. Students who are going to stay in Austria for less than six months can apply for a free Visa C (for stays of up to 90 days) or Visa D (for stays of 91 days up to a maximum of six months).

Processing times may vary regionally or seasonally. As an orientation, it is recommended that you apply for the visa at least four weeks before your intended entry into Austria. The earliest you can apply is six months before your planned travel date, and you shouldn't apply later than 15 calendar days before your planned stay. If further checks are necessary, the processing time may increase to 45 calendar days.

Visa extensions and restrictions

A visa can only be extended in very rare cases and when the applicant is in Austria. If you entered Austria later than when your visa was issued, you can ask for an extension for the same amount of time. For example, if your visa has been valid for 15 days and you entered Austria on the 16th day, you can ask for an extension for another 15 days.

If you are planning on staying for more than 90 days, you can apply for a National D Visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in Austria for up to six months and apply for a residence permit, which can be valid for one to five years. The application requirements and process for the D visa are more or less the same as for a tourist visa. It usually takes up to 15 days to review a D visa application, but there may be cases when it takes longer.

Please note that an extension of a D visa in Austria is not possible. In the case of an intended stay in Austria for more than six months, a residence permit must be applied for.

To be granted a visa extension, you must have a strong personal reason, such as the unexpected death of a family member or friend, or an unexpected wedding of a friend or family member. Humanitarian reasons, such as helping someone financially, emotionally, or medically, may also be accepted.

The general principles and requirements for the issue of visas include:

• A travel document valid in Austria, with a validity period exceeding the duration of the visa by at least three months and with at least two empty pages, that was issued within the last ten years.
• A passport photo (portrait format, 35 x 45 mm) in accordance with the specified passport photo criteria.
• Plausibility and verifiability of the purpose of the trip to Austria.
• Means of substance for living and travel expenses from own assets or income.
• Willingness of the visa holder to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires.
• Presentation of an adequate and valid travel medical insurance, covering the period of the intended stay, or, if a multiple-entry visa is applied for, the period of the first intended visit with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

Please note that persons whose entry into Austria and the Schengen area would endanger security or public order, or who do not fulfil the above-mentioned requirements, will not be granted a visa.

COVID-related entry requirements

As of March 2024, due to COVID restrictions, Austria is in lockdown, and not all embassies are issuing tourist visas. Check with your local office for the latest information.

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. However, COVID-19 tests are widely available at local pharmacies (Apoteken) in Austria, including rapid and PCR tests. U.S. citizens are responsible for paying for all costs upfront. Results are delivered by email, or you may request a physical copy from the lab. The COVID-19 vaccine is available free of charge for U.S. citizens who are residents of Austria and hold valid Austrian healthcare E-cards.

Please note that entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Austria for the latest details. Ensure that you meet all entry and exit conditions.

Frequently asked questions