Schengen Area: Is Austria A Part Of It?

The Schengen Area is a region of 29 European countries that have abolished their internal borders to allow the free and unrestricted movement of people. It covers a vast area of 4,718,084 km2 and is home to over 448 million citizens. Austria is one of the twenty-six European countries that are part of the Schengen Area. It signed the Schengen Agreement on 28 April 1995 and started implementing it two years later, on 1 December 1997.

Austria Schengen Visa requirements

Austria is one of the 27 member states of the European Union that are part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement and the 1990 Schengen Convention, both signed in Schengen, Luxembourg.

If you are a citizen of the European Union, you do not need a visa to enter Austria. However, if you are a national of another country, you might require a visa to enter the Schengen Area or Austrian territory.

• A fully completed and personally signed application form
• A passport photo according to ICAO criteria (colour, 35x45 mm)
• A valid passport not older than 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the validity of the requested visa, and with two free pages
• Recording of biometric data in the form of fingerprints if not collected within the last 59 months in the course of a decision on a Schengen visa application (ten fingerprints, taken with flat fingers and digitally recorded)
• A copy of the passport data sheet (the page on which the photograph is located)
• Copies of previous Schengen visas
• Proof of the means of transport (reservation or booking; presentation of a paid ticket is not required)
• For travel by car: Driving licence, green insurance card, registration certificate
• Travel, health, and accident insurance (minimum coverage of €30,000, including repatriation for medical reasons) valid for the Schengen area. Family members of EEA citizens and Swiss citizens exercising their right to freedom of movement are exempt from this obligation
• For visiting trips, an informal letter of invitation may be presented
• If the applicant cannot provide proof of sufficient financial means, an eight-digit ID number of the Electronic Declaration of Sponsorship (the inviter can submit an electronic declaration of sponsorship to the police department locally responsible for their place of residence)
• Certified power of attorney from parents for underage children travelling unaccompanied by parents
• Evidence of the applicant's economic, family, and social roots in their home country (e.g. ownership of property in the country of origin, employment, confirmation of studies, pension entitlement, proof of family ties)
• Invitation signed by the inviting Austrian company on company paper in the original (or company fax/mail to the Consulate), stating the purpose of the trip, dates of travel, name and date of birth, as well as the passport number of the person invited
• Proof of employment (if required)
• For self-employed people: An excerpt from the company register or similar document
• Copy of the visa for the onward journey (if required)
• Copy of flight tickets

In addition to these general supporting documents, the Austrian Consulate may request specific documents depending on the purpose of your visit to Austria. For example, if you are travelling for business, you may need to provide an invitation from a firm or authority to attend meetings, conferences, or events. If you are travelling for medical treatment, you will need to provide an official document from the medical institution confirming the necessity of your medical care at that institution.

Please note that all supporting documents need to be presented at the Embassy in original form, along with one photocopy, except for your application form.

Austria Schengen Visa costs

The cost of a Schengen visa depends on your age and nationality. For adult applicants, the visa application fee is €90, while for minors and nationals of certain countries, the fee is €45. The fee is reduced to €40 for children aged 6 to 12, and children under 6 are exempt from the fee.

If you are applying through the external Visa Application Center VFS Global, different payment methods might be available, and additional service fees may be charged.

The visa application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Austria Schengen Visa application process

Austria is one of the 26 countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement. A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely across the Schengen member states. The visa application must be lodged within a period of six months and no later than 15 calendar days before the intended start of the trip. The application process is as follows:

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Type

The type of visa you need depends on the purpose and duration of your trip. The two main types of visas for Austria are:

• Schengen Visa (Visa C): For short stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period.
• Austrian National Visa (Visa D): For stays exceeding 90 days and up to six months.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

The documents required for your visa application may vary depending on your nationality and purpose of travel. However, some standard documents include:

• A completed visa application form.
• A valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond your intended date of departure.
• Proof of legal residence in your home country or the country from which you are applying.
• Proof of accommodation or written agreements if staying with friends.
• Proof of financial means to cover the costs of your stay, such as recent bank statements.
• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries.
• Proof of enrolment (for students).

Step 3: Submit Your Application

The application process may vary depending on your country of residence and the Austrian embassy or consulate where you are applying. In general, you will need to schedule an appointment and submit your application in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate or an authorized Visa Application Center. You may be required to provide biometrics, including fingerprints and a photograph.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

The processing time for a Schengen visa application is typically around 15 business days. However, in some cases, it may take longer, up to 45 calendar days, if further checks are necessary. It is recommended to apply at least 30 days in advance to avoid any delays.

Step 5: Collect Your Passport

Once your visa application has been processed and approved, you will need to collect your passport with the affixed visa. In some cases, the passport may be returned by mail, but this varies depending on the embassy or consulate's procedures.

Austria Schengen Visa processing times

Austria is a member of the Schengen Area, which is an area of Europe (and beyond) covering over 4 million square kilometres and home to almost 420 million people. The Schengen Area encompasses 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement and the 1990 Schengen Convention, both signed in Schengen, Luxembourg.

The standard processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days after the embassy has received your application. However, in some cases, it can take up to 45 calendar days. The processing time may be longer if further checks are required or if the embassy requests additional documents. The processing time can also depend on the volume of applications the embassy is handling and the mode of application (i.e. directly to the embassy or through visa application agents). It is recommended that applicants submit their visa application at least 8 weeks before their planned trip to avoid any delays.

In addition to the processing time, applicants should also factor in the time required for the mandatory visa interview, which must be booked in advance. Overall, applicants can expect to receive their Schengen visa within 3-6 weeks.

Austria Schengen Visa extension

Austria is one of the 27 countries in the European Union that are part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have abolished border controls between each other. To travel to Austria for a short trip of fewer than 90 days, you will need an Austrian Schengen Visa. If you plan to stay longer, for work or study reasons, you will require an Austrian work or study visa.

You can extend your Austrian short-stay visa but only in exceptional cases or emergencies. Your visa can be extended if it has not yet expired, and you have not yet spent 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Additionally, you must meet the requirements for one of the following conditions:

• Humanitarian reasons: Medical treatment or family emergencies.
• Force majeure: Unforeseen and exceptional circumstances beyond your control that can justify an extension of your Schengen visa. These include natural disasters, civil unrest, war, terrorist attacks, epidemics, and personal emergencies.
• Professional obligations: Business meetings and conferences, employment or work assignments, training or internship programs, research or academic activities, investment and business start-ups, and cultural and artistic performances.
• Personal reasons: Family emergencies, illness, injury, weddings, childbirth, or legal proceedings in one of the Schengen countries.

To apply for a visa extension, contact the relevant authorities in the Schengen country where you are currently located. You will need to provide a completed Schengen visa extension application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, proof of financial means, travel health insurance, and documents that prove your situation and the need for a visa extension.

Frequently asked questions