Essential Guide to Obtaining a Visa for Austria

From sauntering across wildflower meadows and hiking lofty Alpine peaks to stand-up paddleboarding over sparkling glacial lakes and watching the noble Lipizzaner horses dance at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School, Austria offers holiday activities galore for nature, sports, and art lovers.

Centrally located in the heart of Europe, with excellent transport connections, Austria is an easy place to reach. You can easily arrange a flight or train journey to the land of Mozart’s birth; however, browsing through the different types of visas for travelers from around the world can take a little longer.

Do I need a visa for Austria?

Whether you need a visa to enter Austria depends on your nationality. Austria, being a member of the European Union (EU) and part of the Schengen Area, has specific visa regulations. Citizens from other Schengen Area countries can travel without restriction.

Moreover, Austria’s Schengen membership is advantageous for travelers from outside the region. If granted a visa for any Schengen country, you can then travel freely within other Schengen states, facilitating visits to neighboring countries like Germany and Italy.

The full list of countries in the Schengen Area includes: 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.

Visa-free travel to Austria

Citizens and legal residents from EU or European Economic Area countries (including Switzerland) do not require a visa for stays in Austria lasting up to 90 days. However, it is crucial to carry a valid passport or EU ID card while in the Schengen Area.

Additionally, numerous other countries enjoy visa-free entry. Visitors from the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore can enter Austria without a visa for a maximum of 90 days.

Moreover, holders of biometric passports from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine can also travel to Austria without a visa, along with holders of passports from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

For more details on Austria’s visa requirements, refer to the official website of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior.

Traveling from the UK

Despite having left the EU, tourists holding a valid British passport can still enjoy visa-free travel to Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

If your stay will exceed 90 days but is still under six months, a Schengen “Visa D” will be required. The Austrian Embassy in the UK has delegated its visa services to VFS Global, and further details regarding the application process can be found on their website.

Visas for Austria

Travelers who do not meet the criteria for a visa exemption must apply for a short-stay Schengen visa, known as a “Visa C.” This visa, valid for 90 days, can be issued for single, double, or multiple entries.

The application fee is €80 (approximately US$93) for adults and €40 (approximately US$46) for children aged six to 12. Applicants need a passport issued within the last 10 years, with a minimum validity of three months beyond the planned departure date and at least two blank pages.

Additionally, submitting a completed application form, a 35mm by 45mm color passport photo that adheres to ICAO guidelines, and the following documents is necessary:

• A biometric record of your fingerprints (if not collected within the last 59 months)
• A copy of the passport page with your photo
• Copies of any previous Schengen visas
• Proof of onward transport, such as a flight reservation (presentation of actual paid-for tickets is optional).

Visa applications must be submitted to the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country no later than 15 calendar days prior to your intended travel date. Processing times for visa applications typically range from 15 to 30 days. Please note that supporting documents not issued in English must include a German translation.

Can I extend my visa?

If you plan to stay in Austria for more than 90 days, you can apply for a Schengen Visa D (national visa), allowing you to remain in the country for up to six months—this includes international student visa requirements as well.

Alternatively, extensions for short-stay Schengen visas are possible. Generally, obtaining an extension is more straightforward if you hold a single-entry visa and entered the Schengen Area after your original visa became valid. Extension requests must be submitted before the initial visa expiration.

However, obtaining an extension for personal reasons, such as humanitarian aspects or an act of God, is considerably more challenging. Requests are to be filed with the Police Directorate in the province where you’re staying, and the application fee is €30 (approximately US$35).

The processing duration can take up to a month, allowing you to remain in Austria during that time, but travel to other Schengen countries is restricted. Should the extension not be granted, you will be required to leave Austria within 48 hours at your expense.

Working holiday visas for Austria

Austria offers working holiday visas that are valid for up to 12 months for travelers aged 18 to 30 from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan (often referenced as Chinese Taipei in visa contexts).

These visas enable you to travel to Austria and work for local companies throughout the visa’s validity. Applications must be submitted through Austria’s European and International Affairs Federal Ministry, which provides detailed requirements for specific countries. Common requirements include:

• A completed Visa D application form
• A biometric passport photo that meets ICAO standards
• A valid passport
• Proof of health, accident, and travel insurance covering the entire stay
• Sufficient funds to cover initial living expenses in Austria
• Proof of onward travel (a ticket or evidence of sufficient funds for a ticket purchase)