Do you need a visa to travel to Austria?

 Visiting Austria on a Schengen Visa

From its stunning capital, Vienna, to the beautiful picturesque ski resorts of the Alps, Austria is a wonderful place to visit.

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

Who needs to apply for an Austria Schengen Visa?

You need to apply for an Austrian Schengen Visa if you intend to visit the country for tourism and recreation, business purposes, visiting friends or family, cultural and sporting events, airport and seafaring transit visits, official visits, medical treatment, short-term study, and research purposes.

Depending on your reasons for visiting the Schengen Area and the frequency of your visits, the Schengen consulate can issue you a single, double, or multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days. However, if you are a frequent traveler, you may apply to obtain a multiple-entry Schengen Visa valid for up to five years. On each visit, you will only be able to stay within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Is Austria part of the Schengen area?

Yes, Austria is the part of the Schengen area. The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

How much will my Schengen Visa to Austria cost?

You must pay administration fees (related to the administrative processing of the request). The amount of the fees must be paid to the visa service when submitting the application: either online if you have made a pre-application via an internet platform or with the service with which you submitted your file.

The fees are not reimbursed in the event of visa refusal.

The price of the Schengen Visa varies according to the age of the person concerned:

Adult: €80 

Child from 12 to 18 years old: €80

Child from 6 to less than 12 years old: €40

Children less than 6 years: free

Certain external service providers mandated by the Austrian consular authorities may charge service fees. They are not refundable even in case of refusal of visa application.

How do I apply for a Schengen Visa to Austria?

You will need to fill in a Schengen Visa application form and supply the following documents/

two recently taken passport-style photos

a passport or other travel documents that are less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area.

You will also need travel and medical insurance covering you up to costs of €30,000 a cover letter stating your itinerary and the purpose of your visit, as well as a flight itinerary and proof of accommodation during your stay, proof of your civil status, like a marriage certificate, and proof you have means of subsistence during your stay. The amount you need to show you have will vary from country to country.

Those planning to work or study will need additional documents. Proof of sufficient financial means is not specifically stipulated by the Austrian government and is regulated on a case-by-case basis. You can do this by showing bank statements, hotel bookings, and that your income or investments are enough to support yourself during your stay.

Austrian Visa requirements for a work, business, or student visa

If you’re applying for a work visa to Austria, you will need to provide the embassy/consulate with documents that prove you meet the Austrian Schengen Visa requirements based on your employment status. If employed, you need an employment contract, a current bank statement, a no objection letter from your employer giving you leave to travel, and an income tax return. If self-employed, you will need a copy of your business license, company bank statements, and income tax returns. You will also need an invitation letter regardless of whether you are applying for a longer work visa or a short-stay visa for business or study.

Student visas require proof of enrolment at an Austrian institution, a no objection letter from your place of study in your homeland, and an invitation letter.

Steps to follow when applying for an Austrian Schengen Visa

Work out which Austrian Schengen Visa type you need based on the purpose of your travel. Collect the required documents for a visa to Austria. Make a visa appointment with the Austrian Embassy/Consulate or an accredited visa application center in your home country. Attend the visa interview at the appropriate Austrian Embassy. Wait to see if your visa is approved - you can track your application online.

Where do I apply for an Austria Visa?

You will need to apply to the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence or a visa application center acting on their behalf. The official visa partner of Austria is VFS Global - so they may act on Austria’s behalf in your country. They can help arrange your appointment and track your application.

What are the questions asked in a Schengen Visa interview?

The general questions you should be expecting during an interview for a Schengen Visa are ones like whether you are married, traveling with others, and have medical insurance. You will need to show documents such as bank statements and your itinerary.

How long does it take to get a visa to Austria?

The processing time for an Austrian Schengen Visa may take up to 15 days in a normal situation - but could take up to 60 days to be issued in extreme circumstances. You can apply for your visa up to six months before you travel. It is recommended you do so at least a month before your trip.

Why choose AXA Schengen Insurance?

Those traveling to the Schengen Area, including Austria, need travel cover, and AXA’s Low Cost Travel Insurance only costs €20 per week of your trip and will meet your visa requirements, while the AXA Schengen Europe Travel Insurance offers extended coverage up to costs of €100,000.

Those seeking a multiple-entry visa can purchase the Multi Trip insurance from €298 per year, which again covers you for expenses up to €100,000.