Visa Requirements For Us Citizens Visiting Austria

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, if they intend to stay longer than 90 days or seek employment, they must obtain an Austrian visa. US citizens can apply for the Austrian National Visa D (residence visa) if they plan to stay in Austria for more than 90 days but less than six months. For longer stays, a residence permit may be required, which is different from the Austrian National Visa D. It is important to note that US citizens need a visa or permit to work in Austria, regardless of the length of their stay.

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

To stay for longer than 90 days, US citizens will need to apply for an Austrian National Visa D (residence visa). This visa is also required for US students participating in an academic exchange program for 90 days up to 6 months. The visa application must be submitted no later than 15 days before the planned trip and can be done at the VFS Visa Application Center in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The application process can take up to 15 calendar days and the embassy will not answer inquiries during this time. The application must be submitted in person and requires a valid passport, visa application form, passport photos, travel itinerary, proof of lodging, travel insurance, and proof of financial means.

It is important to note that US citizens cannot work in Austria without a visa, even during the 90-day visa-free period. From 2025, US citizens will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before travelling to Austria. This will allow them to visit Austria and other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

Visas are required for stays exceeding 90 days

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays under 90 days within a 180-day period. However, for stays exceeding 90 days, a visa is required.

Visa Requirements for Stays Exceeding 90 Days

US citizens intending to stay in Austria for more than 90 days must obtain an Austrian visa prior to their travel. This can be done by applying at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General. Alternatively, they can apply in Austria before their 90-day stay expires. It is important to note that the visa application does not automatically extend the right to stay beyond the permitted 90 days if the processing of the residence permit takes longer. The application process for a residence permit can take up to six months.

The visa application must be submitted no later than 15 days before the planned trip. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will cause delays. Each applicant, including children, must have a separate appointment.

To apply for a visa, the following documents are required:

• A valid and signed passport or travel document. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area and should have at least two empty pages.
• Visa application form, completed and signed.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs that meet the specified criteria.
• Travel itinerary or airline reservation showing the dates of travel for the entire journey.
• Proof of lodging in Austria, such as hotel reservations or student accommodations.
• Proof of travel insurance or health/accident insurance that provides coverage in the Schengen countries.
• Copy of passport and "Green Card" or US visa.
• Consular fee, which must be paid in cash.
• Proof of financial means, such as bank statements or other proof of income.
• Visas for countries you intend to visit after your stay in Austria.

If you are a student, you will need to provide additional documents, including:

• Original letter issued by your educational institution.
• Original proof of registration.
• Proof of sufficient financial means, such as scholarships or bank statements.
• Proof of lodging in Austria, such as a lease contract.

It is important to note that US citizens need a visa or permit to work in Austria, regardless of the length of their stay. Therefore, if you intend to be employed in Austria, you must obtain the appropriate visa.

Visa applications must be submitted no later than 15 days before the trip

US citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Austria. You can visit Austria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa, as long as your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. However, if you intend to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days, or if you plan to work there, you must obtain a visa.

The visa application process can be complex and time-consuming, so it is important to start the process early. Visa applications must be submitted no later than 15 days before the trip. This means that you should aim to have all the required documents ready well in advance of your planned trip to ensure that your application is submitted on time.

The first step in the visa application process is to determine the type of visa you need. For US citizens staying in Austria for up to six months, the Visa C (Tourism) or Visa D may be appropriate. If you plan to stay longer than six months, you will need to apply for a residency permit.

Once you have determined the type of visa you need, the next step is to gather the required documents. This may include a valid and signed passport, visa application form, passport photos, travel itinerary, proof of lodging, travel insurance, and proof of financial means. It is important to carefully review the list of required documents and ensure that you have everything before submitting your application.

After you have gathered all the required documents, you can submit your visa application to the appropriate authority. For US citizens, this is typically the Austrian Embassy or Consulate in your jurisdiction. It is important to note that applications for Visa C and Visa D must be submitted at the VFS Visa Application Center in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and not at the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles.

The visa application process can take some time, so it is important to allow enough time for your application to be processed. After submitting your application, you may need to wait up to 15 days to receive a response. Therefore, it is crucial to plan ahead and submit your application well in advance of your trip to ensure that you receive your visa on time.

Visa applications must be lodged within 6 months and no later than 15 days before the trip

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. However, if you intend to remain in Austria for longer than 90 days, you will need to obtain an Austrian visa or residence permit.

The visa application process can be lengthy, so it is important to plan ahead. The application must be lodged within six months and no later than 15 days before the intended start of your trip. This timeframe is crucial, as applications submitted outside of this period will be deemed inadmissible.

If you are applying for a Visa C (Tourism) or Visa D (for stays up to six months), your application must be submitted at a VFS Visa Application Center. For US citizens residing in the following states, the application must be submitted at the VFS Visa Application Center in Los Angeles or San Francisco:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming
• U.S. Pacific Islands

It is important to note that the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles no longer accepts these visa applications. Additionally, if you are applying for a "Job Seeker Visa," you must file your application at the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles.

For US citizens residing in the following states or living on the Bahamas, the application must be submitted at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Embassy in Houston, Miami, or Washington, D.C.:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Similarly, if you are applying for a "Job Seeker Visa" in these states, you must file your application at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Finally, for US citizens residing in the following states or living in Bermuda, the application must be submitted at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Consulate General in New York, Chicago, or New York:

• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Again, if you are applying for a "Job Seeker Visa" in these states, you must file your application at the Austrian Consulate General in New York.

It is important to schedule an appointment with the appropriate consulate or visa application center and ensure that you have all the required documents before submitting your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will delay the visa process.

US citizens need a visa or permit to work in Austria, regardless of the length of stay

US citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Austria. They can travel to the country for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. However, US citizens need a visa or permit to work in Austria, regardless of the length of stay.

Visa-Free Travel to Austria for US Citizens

US citizens can enter Austria without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This is known as visa-free travel or the "visa waiver program". During this time, US citizens are not permitted to take up any employment.

Requirements for Visa-Free Travel to Austria

For visa-free travel to Austria, US citizens must have a valid US passport and may need to meet other entry requirements. It is recommended that US citizens:

• Ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
• Have two blank pages in their passport for entry stamps.
• Register with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) from 2025.
• Have proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.
• Have travel insurance.

Obtaining a Visa for Longer Stays or Work in Austria

US citizens who intend to stay in Austria for more than 90 days, or who wish to work in the country, must obtain an Austrian visa or residence permit. The type of visa or permit required will depend on the purpose and length of the stay. US citizens should apply for the appropriate visa or permit prior to travelling to Austria or before their 90-day visa-free stay has expired. Applications can be made at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General, or in Austria at the respective Austrian Consulate.

Frequently asked questions