Located in the middle of Europe, Austria is a unique nation. With 3/4th of its area being covered by the alps, and the rest possessing a mix of stunning urban architecture and natural beauty, it attracts quite a number of people from all around the world. To visit the country, you would need an endorsement known as Austria Visa.
For citizens travelling from countries other than from the Schengen region, Switzerland, and other visa-exempt countries, you require a permit to enter Austria. For example, India is not among the free-entry countries. As a result, Indians will have to apply for an Austrian Visa in India. Since Austria is a part of the Schengen region, the visa issued is valid in all other Schengen countries. Largely, the visas are classified as short term and long term visas. Similar to other Schengen visas, these are again classified based on the purpose of visit and come in the form of a vignette in the passport.
Before applying for a permit, it is necessary to determine the type of visa you require, and also to check your eligibility for that particular visa. Once you have done this, you can proceed to apply for the visa in the following way -
If you have submitted your biometrics to a VAC in the past 5 years, you may not have to submit it again. Also, note that you cannot send the application via post/courier. You will have to submit it in person, or through a travel agency provided that you submit a declaration and undertaking corresponding to that.
Please ensure that your application is made with the right information and genuine documents. Submission of fake documents or wrong data can lead to a visa rejection.
Based on the duration of the visa and the purpose of the visit, the Austria visa can be mainly classified into the following -
Please note that if you wish to stay longer than 6 months, you will have to apply for a residence permit.
As per the Austria Schengen Visa requirements, the following are the list of Austria visa documents that you will have to submit for the application -
As per the regulations, Austria visa photo specifications are as follows -
The fees for this permit is totally dependent on the Austria Visa types. It also depends on the number of entries, biometric charges, express processing charges, as well as any other service charges. It is vital to ensure that you know the right amount before applying.
Entry | Purpose | Stay Duration | Validity | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
Single entry Normal | Tourist | 90 days | 3 months | 7996.0 |
Single entry Normal | Medical | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Religious | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Medical | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Religious | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Study | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Study | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Dependant | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Dependant | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Work | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Scientist | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Work | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Scientist | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Semen | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Seamen | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Transit | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Semen | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Seamen | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Transit | 90 days | 3 months | 6282.0 |
Single entry Normal | Business | 90 days | 3 months | 7996.0 |
Single entry Normal | Business | 90 days | 3 months | 7996.0 |
term student visa - resident permit | Study | 180 days | 2 years | 11361.0 |
Single entry Normal | Tourist | 90 days | 3 months | 7996.0 |
The Austria Schengen Visa processing time is normally around 15 days. However, depending on several factors, this can vary. These include the type of the visa, the duration of the permit, the number of entries, express processing, etc. As a result, it is suggested to apply well in advance.
The Schengen visa application Austria is done offline. There is no online procedure as of yet. The application must be submitted either at one of the VACs situated across the country or at the Austrian Embassy in India.
Since the process can be quite complicated, you can even apply through professional visa services. If you opt for a visa agency, you may not have to do the processes yourself and rest assured, there will be comparatively much less probability for errors in your application. It is essential that there are no errors, else there are chances that the visa may get rejected.
There are a few ways for you to track Austria visa status. You can check it by entering your reference number and name on the VAC website, or you can also do it by emailing or calling the embassy. However, you will receive updates via SMS by paying charges for the same while your application is being processed.
You cannot visit all of them. Since Austria is a part of the Schengen region, you are allowed to visit the European countries that have a border-free agreement under the Schengen. However, to visit other countries such as the UK, Croatia, etc, you will require their respective visas.
There is no steadfast rule for the format per se. The whole point of the covering letter is to state your travel. This should include details such as your personal details, the dates of your journey, the purpose of the visit, your source of funds, as well as any other information you think can help your application. The covering letter has to be addressed to the Austrian Embassy.
In the unfortunate event that your visa gets rejected, you will receive a letter stating the reason for this. Now, as per your reason for rejection, such as application form errors, insufficient funds, etc, you can apply for the visa again after correcting these issues. It is better to apply after a specific time so that the consular officer does not have a bad impression of you. Keep in mind that when you apply for a new visa, you should state about your previous visa rejection history.
Technically, your first port of entry has to be Austria. The conditions in which you should apply for an Austria visa is that if Austria is your port of entry and you will be spending equal time in other destinations, or you must spend more time in Austria than the other destinations. And obviously, you should apply if Austria is your only destination. As a result, it is recommended to enter the Schengen region through Austria and then travel to other countries. However, entering the zone via another country is not an offence.
No, you cannot visit Austria while you are on any other visa other than the Schengen. The Schengen visa allows the holders to visit other countries belonging to the same, without any additional permits. However, if you are not on this visa, you cannot visit Austria or other Schengen countries unless you are from one of the visa-exempt countries. Please note that if you do possess a resident permit from non-Schengen countries, you may be allowed to pass through Austria without a transit visa depending on your nationality.
No, you cannot. The short term visa is valid only for 3 months. And the long term visa is valid only up to 6 months. As a result, staying back for more than 6 months while you are on these visas is an offence and can get you deported. However, if you want to stay longer than 6 months, you will have to apply for a residence permit. Certain Austria visa types such as the work visa and student visa may make you eligible to apply for the permit. With this, you can stay for longer periods.
Yes, you can visit other Schengen countries with a single entry permit. Since Austria issues the Schengen visa, you are free to travel to any of the countries within the Schengen region ‘n’ number of times. Single entry means that you can enter and exit the Schengen region only once. In other words, you can leave the Schengen region to a non-Schengen area only once. You cannot re-enter the Schengen region again after this.
There is a large difference between the two. The long term permit or the Visa D is issued for a duration from 90 days up to 180 days for purposes such as work, visit, study, etc. The Red White Red, which is literally the colour composition of the Austrian flag is basically a temporary permit that allows you to stay in the country for longer than this period. However, you will need to be employed to get this. The card is issued usually for up to 1 year, or as per the duration of your work.
Yes, you can obtain a multiple entry permit for Austria. While applying for your Austria Visa, you have the provision to choose the number of entries you require. You can choose from a single entry, double-entry, or multiple entries. The multiple entry visa will permit you to enter the Schengen area for more than once. Meaning, you can enter the region, then exit it, and then enter it again ‘n’ number of times.