Get Austrian Visa: A Comprehensive Guide To Success

If you're planning a trip to Austria, you may need to apply for a visa. Whether or not you need a visa depends on where you're from, why you're going, and how long you'll stay. Residents of the Schengen Area, EEA, or EU, for example, do not need a tourist visa. Citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, and several other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. If you do need a visa, you'll need to apply at the Austrian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. The application process can be complicated, and you'll need to prepare several documents, including a valid passport, visa application form, visa fee, travel agenda, and proof of invitation or employment.

How to get a visa to Austria

Visa-free entry for US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and more

Austrian citizens can travel to many countries without a visa. As of January 2025, Austrian citizens had visa-free access to 191 countries and territories, including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States. This makes the Austrian passport 3rd in the world in terms of visa-free travel.

However, it is important to note that eligibility for visa-free travel or an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) often depends on the traveler's nationality and the destination country. For example, Japan does not have any specific passport validity requirements as long as the passport is valid for the duration of the stay, but some nationalities may need to obtain a visa in advance. Similarly, some countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States, routinely deny entry to non-citizens with a criminal record.

For US citizens, a visa is not required for stays in Austria of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This is known as a Visa C or short-stay visa. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a Visa D, which allows for stays of 91 days up to 6 months. For longer stays, you will need to apply for a residence permit from outside of Austria at an Austrian Consulate in your country of residence.

To apply for a visa, you will generally need to submit your application to the Austrian representation office (BMEIA) in your country of residence. In some cases, you may be able to apply at certain border control posts or, if extending your visa, with the state police headquarters (Landespolizeidirektion). The visa application process typically involves providing various documents, including a valid passport, passport photos, proof of travel health insurance, and proof of financial means.

Visa application process and requirements

The requirements and process for obtaining a visa to enter Austria vary depending on the applicant's country of residence and the purpose of their visit. Here is a detailed and direct guide to the visa application process and requirements for Austria:

Visa-Free Entry

Firstly, it is important to note that citizens of certain countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, can enter Austria without a visa for a short stay of up to 90 days. This is also applicable to residents of the Schengen Area, EEA, or EU. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is advised to check with local embassies as not all embassies may be issuing tourist visas.

Visa Application Process

If a visa is required, applicants must apply at the Austrian Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Visa Application Center in their country of residence. The application process typically involves the following steps:

• Gather Required Documents: Applicants must prepare a range of documents, including a passport, visa application form, proof of travel plans, and financial means to support their stay. Certain visas may require additional documents, such as an invitation letter or employment letter. All documents must be in English or German, or officially translated.
• Complete the Visa Application Form: The form can typically be downloaded from the official website of the Austrian representation or VFS Global.
• Pay the Visa Fee: A visa fee is typically required and may vary depending on the applicant's profile and visa type.
• Submit the Application: Applicants must submit their completed application, along with the required documents and fee receipt, to the appropriate authority. It is recommended to apply as early as possible to avoid processing delays.
• Biometric Data Collection: Austria collects the fingerprints of all visa applicants.

Additional Considerations:

• Processing Time: Visa applications should be submitted within six months and no later than 15 days before the intended trip.
• Visa Extensions: While possible, visa extensions are rarely granted unless there are strong personal, humanitarian, or medical reasons.
• Work Authorization: For those seeking employment in Austria, a “Job Seeker Visa" must be obtained, and work is only authorized once the appropriate visa has been obtained.
• Travel Within the Schengen Area: The Schengen visa allows travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Visa extension requests

If you are planning to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days but not exceeding six months, you can apply for a visa extension, or a Visa D. This type of visa is suitable for family visits or course participation. Corresponding documents to demonstrate the purpose of your stay must be submitted.

It is important to note that it will be very difficult to get a visa extension. An extension is rarely granted unless there is a strong reason for it. Generally, a visa extension may be granted for strong personal reasons, such as an unexpected death or wedding of a friend or family member. It may also be granted for humanitarian reasons, such as providing financial, emotional, or medical support to someone.

To apply for a visa extension, you must submit your application to the competent Austrian representative authority (embassy or consulate with the power to issue a visa) in your country of residence. The visa application must be lodged within a period of six months and not later than 15 calendar days before the intended start of the trip. Processing times may vary, so it is recommended to apply at least four weeks in advance.

The necessary documents for your visa extension application are detailed in the checklist provided by the Austrian representative authority. In general, supporting documents must include a German translation, unless the consulate specifies otherwise. When submitting English language documents, a translation is not required. The following supporting documents and information are necessary:

• A fully completed and personally signed application form
• Passport
• Visa Application Form
• Visa Fee
• Travel Agenda
• Copies of Earlier Schengen Visas
• Invitation Letter (if applicable)
• Employment Letter (if employed)
• Police Record Certificate (for first-time applicants)
• Proof of Health Insurance

Visa fees and costs

The visa fee you will need to pay depends on the type of visa you are applying for and your age. For instance, adult Schengen visa fees are usually €80, while the basic long-term Austrian national visa fee for adults is €150. Students who plan to stay in Austria for less than six months can apply for a Visa C or Visa D, which are free of charge. If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, you will need to pay a non-refundable and non-transferable visa application fee, sometimes referred to as the MRV fee, before applying. The fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$185. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$205.

Additionally, you will need to take out travel health insurance that is valid in Austria and provides sufficient cover for various health issues. The insurance cover must be well over €30,000, including a guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs and costs for the treatment of COVID-19. You will also need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to cover your living costs for the duration of your stay.

You can find out more about consular fees on the website of the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs (BMEIA). When applying through the external Visa Application Center VFS Global, different payment methods might be available, and additional service fees may be charged.

Where to apply for a visa

The first step in applying for an Austrian visa is to determine whether you need one. 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. Similarly, citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the Principality of Andorra, and the Republic of San Marino can enter Austria without a visa for up to 90 days.

If you do need a visa, you must apply at the Austrian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. If you are a US citizen, the location of your application will depend on the state in which you reside. For example, if you live in California, you must apply at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles or San Francisco. If you live in New York, you must apply at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Consulate General in New York or Chicago. If you live in Washington, DC, you must apply at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.

It is important to note that there are some types of visas that cannot be obtained at a VFS Visa Application Center. For example, if you are applying for a "Job Seeker Visa", you must apply at the Austrian Consulate General in New York or Los Angeles, depending on your state of residence. Similarly, if you are applying for a residence permit to stay longer than six months, you must schedule an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General by email.

The Austrian government recommends applying for your visa as early as possible due to potential processing delays. The application must be submitted no later than 15 days before your planned trip. Along with your application, you will need to provide various documents, including a passport, visa application form, visa fee, travel agenda, and proof of health insurance.

Frequently asked questions