Applying for a visa to Austria

Specific details

For a tourist trip to Austria lasting less than 90 days, you will require a Schengen visa (category C) unless your country is exempt from visa requirements. It's important to note that a Schengen visa does not grant permission to work. If you plan to study in Austria, you will need a specific D-type visa for studying in the country.

When applying for a visa (whether it's a tourist visa or a student visa for Austria), you should submit your application to the Austrian Embassy. Austria should either be the sole destination of your trip or the country where you plan to spend the majority of your stay. If you plan to spend an equal number of days in multiple countries, you can apply for a visa at the embassy of any of those countries. It is recommended to obtain a visa from the country that you will visit first, as the entry stamp will only be placed in the passport by the first country of arrival.

Submission of Documents

Please take note of the following guidelines:

Group applications are not accepted.
Documents certified by a notary or corporate attorney will not be accepted.
Documents can be submitted either in person or through a representative (with providing a document of kinship). Submission by a representative is only possible if the applicant already holds a minimum of one Schengen visa, regardless of the country.
The package of documents should be submitted with a questionnaire, filled out clearly and legibly.
Before submitting your documents (including a student visa for Austria), you must provide consent for the processing of personal data. If you are sponsoring another person's trip, a sponsorship letter on the official form is compulsory (including a copy of your passport).

If you intend to travel by car, it is advisable to prepare a detailed itinerary and include it with the rest of the submitted documents, regardless of the purpose of your trip.

Visa Fees:

Please take into account the following details:

Only cash payments are accepted; credit cards are not accepted.
The visa fee may be subject to change at any time.
The fee is non-refundable.
The fee must be paid at the time of submitting the application.
The fee is payable in the local currency, and it is advisable to have the exact sum. The fee is calculated based on the official exchange rate of the current day.
The consular and service fees already include VAT.
Children under 6 years old, disabled individuals (any group), and their attendants are exempted from paying both the consular and service fees.

Document Preparation:

When preparing your documents (e.g., for a student visa to Austria), ensure that you have all the original documents along with high-quality, legible copies. The visa center will accept copies of the documents only after verifying the originals. Failure to provide certain documents may result in visa refusal or significant delays in visa processing and issuance.

Translation of Documents:

All documents must be translated into English or German. If the applicant fails to provide translated documents, the embassy may refuse to issue a visa (including a student visa for Austria) or it can lead to significant visa processing delays. It is recommended to apply for assistance from a professional translation service or translator's office. While applicants can personally translate documents, they are responsible for the quality and accuracy, which can impact the processing time of the visa.

Each translated document should include:

Contact information of the translator or translation company, along with the translator's name and signature.
Date of translation.
Confirmation that the translation is an accurate representation of the original document.

To ensure a successful visa application, it is important to provide a comprehensive and detailed package of documents. The embassy reserves the right to request additional documents if the information provided is deemed insufficient. Any comments or requests will be recorded in a special check-list and considered when making a decision. If an applicant is missing any required document, they should provide a detailed explanation for its absence. It is strictly advised not to provide incorrect information or falsify documents, as the embassy may refuse to issue a visa, including a D-type student visa for studying in Austria, under such circumstances.

Tourist visa

Document Checklist for Tourist Visa to Austria includes:

Consent for the processing of personal data on the civil passport.
Photo:
- Two color photos (35x45 mm) adhering to ICAO criteria. One photo should be attached to the questionnaire, and the second to the reverse side of the passport.
Questionnaire:
- An application for an Austrian visa, must be personally signed by the applicant in several places:

Page 3, item 36: Specify the city and date of signing.
Page 3, item 37: For minors, include the signature of the authorized person.
Page 4: Sign to agree to the non-refundable fee, even in case of visa refusal. Provide information about the city and date of signing.
Page 4: For minors, include the signature of the authorized person.
- Questionnaire for children (if applicable):
  - Always fill out a separate questionnaire for children, even if they are included in the parents' passport. For children under 14, obtain signatures from both parents - the father and mother. For children aged 14-18 years old, obtain signatures from the father, mother, and child.

4. Financial Documents:

For working adults:
- Certificate of employment (including position and salary).
- Work record book (if available).
- Bank account extract issued no later than three months ago.
For self-employed individuals:
- Company registration certificate.
- Bank account extract for the firm issued no later than three months ago.
- Tax file.
For minors:
- Sponsorship letter.
- Copy of the sponsor's passport.
- Certificate from school or educational institution.
- Certificate of employment of the sponsor (including position and salary).
For retirees:
- Pension certificate (an original + a copy).
- Bank account extract issued no later than three months ago.
- Confirmation of hotel reservation.

5. Tickets:

Provide booked or redeemed air, railway, or bus tickets with the exact dates of departure and arrival.

6.Health Insurance Policy:

Mandatory insurance for sickness and accident coverage, including all risks (such as winter sports risks) is required. The coverage must be at least 30,000 euros for the entire stay in the Schengen area (excluding close relatives of EU citizens). Ensure that your insurance company is listed on the official Consulate website before obtaining the policy.

7. Valid Foreign Passport:

Ensure there are at least two blank pages on a spread or one sheet. Provide a copy of the first page with personal data. The passport should be valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended return from the Schengen area. Also, include copies of all Schengen visas previously obtained by the applicant.

8. Consent for Child's Departure (if applicable):

It is not required if both the child and parents are submitting documents simultaneously. For children under 14 years old, submit original documents.

9. National Passport:

Provide a high-quality copy of the first page.

If Traveling by Car:

Provide a copy of the driver's license, car registration certificate, and Green Card (if applicable). It is also recommended to prepare a trip sheet and include it with the general package of documents.

Additional Documents (if applicable):

Birth certificate
Certificate of marriage/divorce
Certificate of change of surname
Death certificate
Certificate of driver's license revocation
Information about disability

Ensure that the birth certificate provided is current. If the father's details are absent, indicate a dash in the appropriate box. If the child has only one parent, provide documentation explaining the absence of the second parent.

Student visa from 3 months - type D and residence permit from 6 months

How to Submit Documents for a Student Visa to Austria (Type D)

If you plan to study in Austria, obtaining a residence permit is often necessary. It's important to take care of this well in advance, once you have received an invitation from your chosen educational institution. Additionally, make sure you obtain a Type D visa for studying in Austria ahead of time.

Submitting the Required Documents for a Student Visa: The collected document package for a study visa to Austria should be submitted to the Visa Center (VC). The VC will then forward it to the city council of the Austrian city where you plan to study. Pay attention that the processing time for document verification and visa decision can range from 3 weeks to 6 months (typically taking 2-6 weeks). You will be notified of the decision via email or phone. If everything is in order with your documents (which is the most common situation), you will be invited to obtain a Type D visa for studying in Austria. Submit the documents to the same department. The Type D visa is typically issued within 1-2 days. Upon entering the country, you will receive an Aufenthaltsbewilligung, which is a residence permit, from the city council.

The package of Documents: When applying for a student visa to Austria, remove all folders, transparent files, and staples from your documents and neatly stack them. The consulate staff will inform you of the required order.

Application Form:
- Download the form from the official Austrian website. The new version consists of 9 pages, but the old versions with 10-11 pages are also accepted at the VC. Print the form on a quality printer (preferably in color), and fill it out legibly with block letters using a ballpoint pen. You can fill it out in English or German. Affix your photo to Field 1 (upper left corner) and sign in the presence of an employee who will accept your documents.
- It's recommended to bring a clean spare copy of the questionnaire to the consulate in case you need to make corrections or revisions (as edits are not allowed).
Copy of the School Invitation:
- Provide a quality color copy of the invitation from the school. The original is not required but can be useful for other purposes.
Confirmation of Accommodation in Austria:
- For a hostel: Provide documents such as a contract, bank receipt for accommodation payment, or bank certificate of making a transfer.
- For a rented apartment: Provide a long-term lease contract with your original signature, a color copy of the landlord's passport, an extract from the land book confirming the landlord's apartment ownership, bank confirmation of payment transfer, and a bank certificate of payment transfer to the landlord's account.
Financial Documents:
- For adults:
  - Bank account certificate (ensure it states that cash from the account can be used overseas, including in Austria).
  - Copy of the bank card (both sides, with the CVV-2 code closed or darkened).
  - Certificate of employment.
- Note: All documents (except bank card copies) must be translated into German, notarized, and the notarial document must also be translated. This applies if you have reached the age of majority, have a job, and receive an official salary.
- For minors:
  - Certificate of the bank account balance.
  - Bank statement showing executed cash transactions from the time the account was opened.
  - Copy of the bank card (both sides, with the CVV-2 code closed).
  - Sponsorship letter (certified by a notary).
  - Copy of the sponsor's passport (first page).
  - Bank certificate on the sponsor's account status and an extract of transactions from the account opening.
  - Certificate of employment for the sponsor.
- The required amount for 2014 was:
  - Up to 24 years: €5,684.4 (for 12 months).
  - Over 24 years: €10,292.76 (for 12 months).
  - This amount includes €274.06 per month for housing. If your chosen housing exceeds this amount, you will need additional funds to cover the difference and must provide proof of their availability.
Copy of Birth Certificate:
- Obtain an apostille on the original certificate, which can typically be done at the registry office. Make a certified copy, translate it into German (including certification), and submit it to the visa center.
Black and White Copies of Passport Pages:
- Include copies of your current passport and all previous passports (if applicable).
Medical Insurance Policy:
- Obtain compulsory sickness and accident insurance coverage for one year, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for 120 days. The insurance can be obtained from insurance agents working officially at the consulate. If obtaining insurance elsewhere, ensure that the company is listed on the consulate's official website. A Type D student visa for Austria will not be issued without health insurance.
Certificate of non-criminal record:
- Obtain a certificate with an apostille confirming the absence of a criminal record. Translate it into German, have it notarized, and provide the translated and notarized document as part of the application. Note that the certificate is valid for 3 months.
Certificate of Residence:
- Obtain this document at the local passport office. It confirms your registration at a specific address. Translate it into German, have it notarized, and attach the translated and notarized document to your application.
Marriage Certificate (if applicable):
- For married students, obtain an apostille on the original marriage certificate (usually done at the registry office). Make a certified copy, translate it into German (including certification), and provide the translated and notarized document. If divorced, provide an official divorce statement (copied, translated, and certified in the same manner).
- Ensure that the data in all documents is consistent, including addresses, names, etc. It's recommended to have the original documents with you when visiting the visa center.

Submitting the Application:

Personal submission of applications and documents is required.
Register in advance on the embassy's website (unless stated otherwise). Making an appointment in advance is no longer required since 2016, and submitting of documents is done on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early as there is no guarantee of being able to submit documents within the working hours. Note that the consular department is closed on Austrian national holidays (the list is available on the official consulate website). Switch off your mobile phone before entering the building.
When you receive your passport, it will be stamped to indicate your application for a residence permit or study visa in Austria. You will also be issued a personal receipt to pay the consular fee. Ensure you have your civil passport with you. Before paying the receipt, write your name and the current date in the appropriate column. It's advisable to have the receipt when you obtain the Type D visa.

You can find the original source with the list of documents at https://www.migration.gv.at/fileadmin/downloads/ (page 8 for Type D visa, page 11 for residence permit).

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