Austria is among the richest countries in terms of GDP per capita. With a large chunk of the GDP accounting for manufacturing and tourism, as well as the service industries, there are platforms for any foreigners to establish business or quite possibly, consider business options in Austria. To do this, however, you will require the Austria Business Visa.
To visit Austria for the purpose of involving in business-related activities such as conferences, meetings, fairs, contracts, etc, you require a business visa, Being a type of short term Schengen visa (C), this is also known as the Austria Schengen Business Visa. The permit is valid for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, similar to other Schengen visas, people belonging to Schengen countries, and other visa-exempt countries for Austria do not require this.
The application for the business permit is done offline. Before starting the application, it is necessary to determine if this is the right type for you. Check this by finding the eligibility criteria. Once you are eligible, you may proceed to make the application as follows -
Please note that if you have submitted your biometrics at a VAC in the past 5 years, you are not required to submit it again. Also, keep in mind that you will have to submit the application in-person or via a travel agent. Sending them by post is not a permissible option.
Ensure that you submit only the original documents, as well as the right information on the form. False information and fake documents can easily get your visa application rejected. A visa rejection can definitely affect your future travel.
The processing time for the Austrian business permit depends on several factors such as the number of entries, express processing, the volume of applications at the embassy, previous travel history, and so on. However, normally, you should be able to get your visa within 15 working days. Since last moment visas can get quite a trouble, it is suggested to apply for the permit well in advance.
The fees for this type varies according to the entry type, express processing charges, biometric charges, as well as any other service charges, It is recommended to check the exact fees before applying.
Entry | Stay Duration | Validity | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Single entry Normal | 90 days | 3 months | 8940.0 |
Single entry Normal | 90 days | 3 months | 8940.0 |
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive the business permit as per the processing time. In the special cases that the embassy requires additional verification or documentation, you may have to visit the embassy or VAC again.
You can check the status of your visa in a few different ways. You can directly enter your application reference number and name at the portal on the VAC website, or you can contact the embassy directly via email or call to check the status. You can also receive SMS updates from the VAC regarding the application. If you have applied through a travel agency, you can ask them to check the status for you.
On receipt of your tourist permit, keep in mind the following points to ensure a hassle-free trip.
You cannot extend your visa in normal scenarios. The business visa, being a form of the short term visa, are non-extendable. However, under extreme circumstances such as unforeseeable situations in the home country, medical reasons, etc, you may be granted an extension. For this, you would have to visit the immigration office in Austria.
You are not permitted to stay in the country after your visa expiry. You are expected to leave before the day the permit expires. In case you stay back, it is considered as an offence, and you will be subjected to penal actions and deportation. Apart from this, your travel history will severely be affected. However, you can try for a visa extension if you really wish to stay in the country.
Similar to other short term Schengen visas, there are no specific health requirements to be met. However, if you are applying for other long term permits, you may require additional medical test reports and so on. Although, it is a fairly obvious option to get a checkup done for your health safety before flying.
No, there is no provision for conversion of a short term visa into another type. At a point in time, you can only possess one visa. Either way, even though the business visa is for business-related purposes, it does not stop you from taking part in tourist activities. As a result, you do not require another tourist visa.