World Tours

Austria Travel Guide

Austria is a country of startling contrasts, from the soaring Alps to the verdant swathes of the Danube Valley. This European beauty is noted as much for its historical buildings, awe-inspiring museums and galleries, as for its world-class skiing conditions and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Groundbreaking cultural figures pepper Austria's history, from the composing geniuses of Mozart and Schubert, to the great mind of psychologist Sigmund Freud.

Glorious architectural riches include reminders of the once-powerful Habsburgs, who dominated central Europe for seven centuries; the capital of Austria, Vienna, is magnificent with its ornate Opera House and the imperial Hofburg, while many other cities are similarly infused with historical magic, notably Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg, with stunning baroque churches set before a backdrop of snow-covered peaks.

Applications for Short Stay Visas:

• Application form (completely filled out and signed personally or in case of minors by the relevant legal guardian).
• A recent photo (according to ICAO standards)
• Passport (valid at least 3 months after the expiry of the visa with at least 2 empty pages, passport not older than 10 years)
• At selected embassies (please see your embassy website), biometric identifiers (10 fingerprints taken flat and collected digitally) of each applicant shall be collected
• proof of legal stay (if the application is not presented in the country of origin)
• Consular fees: Short stay visa: € 60, Long stay visa: € 100 (in EURO or local currency). 
• Travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen states for the intended stay proving that all risks are covered(minimum coverage € 30.000,- in original + one copy)
• Means of transport (reservation of travel voucher or proof of private transport)
• Proof of income / documentation of paid activity (if applicable). For detailed information or exceptions please visit the website of the embassy or consulate concerned, read the information boards in front of the embassy or obtain the information by telephone.
• Proof of financial means or electronic letter of guarantee (Elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung – the person inviting the applicant should make a declaration of guarantee at the local office of the“Fremdenpolizei” (alien’s police) which informs the competent embassy or consulate accordingly)
• Justification concerning the stay in Austria

Time required to issue visa

Nationals from the following list of countries should allow several weeks for the processing of the application from the date of appointment/receipt of documents:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan (Service passports only), Lebanon, Libya, Liberia, Moldova, Nigeria, North Korea, Palestine, Pakistan, Philippines Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria,Togo,United Arab Emirates,Vietnam (not for service and diplomatic passports Yemen.
All holders of Travel Documents for stateless persons and refugees

For all other nationals the processing time is approx. 5 working days
Please note that the visa cannot be issued on the same day

How long is the visa valid for?
You may use your visa to travel to the Schengen area until the date it expires under “expiry” on the right side of the visa. Please check your visa carefully before you go to Austria.

Other information 
Holders of Schengen visas are still subject to immigration controls and are not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries.

How long is the processing time?General processing time is 2 weeks except for applicants of the following countries, which have a processing time of 3 weeks. Please also make sure that your application is submitted on time.

Embassy contact information: 
Please contact the nearest Austrian Embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Austria. Austria Embassies Worldwide.