Austria Family Visa – Eligibility, Application, Processing Time
If you are thinking of what Austrian visa is ideal to help you meet a family member or relative, an Austria family visa is such visa that reunites spouses, and other members of a family.
Over the years, Austria has been widely known as a safe country to visit. Its government is dedicated to welcoming tourists from different parts of the world. Moreover, a visa is available for foreigners who want to reunite with certain member of their family who is a citizen or legal resident of Austria.
In general, Austria is popular for its beautiful scenery, superb health care system, as well as for its unresisting political environment.
Austrian family visas are particularly for foreigners who want to visit Austria to join their spouse or child who is already a resident of the country. Applicants must have a valid passport, and should be able to demonstrate that they can financially support themselves and their family members.
Keep reading to learn more about the Austria family visa, and other related information.
What is an Austria family visa?
An Austria family visa is a type of visa that makes it possible for foreigners who have a family member as an Austrian citizen to visit any part of the country for up to one year. You can also apply for this visa if your family member in Austria is not yet a citizen, but has a valid residence permit.
Such family member can be your spouse, children aged below 18 years, same-sex registered partner, or relative.
Furthermore, your family member must possess one of the following permits.
- A valid Permanent Residence (PR) or residence card
- An European Blue Card or a Red-White-Red Card (work visa holders)
- A Red-White-Red Card plus
- An Austria long-term residency title
- An “Article 50 EUV” residence permit
- A settlement permit for self-employed persons in Austria
- An Austrian settlement permit for researchers
Austria family visa fees
In order to get an Austrian family visa, you must pay certain fees for the embassy or consulate to process your application.
These include:
Fees required for visa application processing:-
- For children below the age of 6: €75
- For persons aged more than 6 years old: €120
Fees to pay when you want to collect your visa:-
- For children aged not more than 6 years old: €50
- For applicants aged above 6 years: €20
Austria family visa processing time
The application process of Austria family visa is straightforward, and most applicants receive their visas within 12 weeks.
However, there have been reports of some applicants waiting up to two months for their visa application to be processed.
Austria family visa requirements
Before you can obtain a family visa to visit a family member or relative in any part of Austria, your family member must be an Austrian citizenship or possess a valid residence permit.
Besides, you need to provide a number of documents, and meet certain requirements, as follows.
- A valid travel document or passport that would last all through your period of visit to Austria
- Birth certificate
- Copies of old passport (if applicable)
- Proof of funds without being dependent on social welfare
- One (1) identity photo – must be recent
- A valid travel insurance that is in line with Schengen Travel insurance rules
- Proof of language skills in German, such as a certificate issued by an accredited educational institution with a basic A1 level of understanding of German language
- Certificate of good standing issued by a local civil court
- Marriage certificate (required to prove that you’re married to a citizen or resident of Austria)
- Divorce certificate (needed if your marriage has been legally dissolved)
- Adoption papers (required by adopted or foster children who want to visit Austria)
- Certificate of relationship registration (applicable to persons who have registered their relationship with a local office at their home country)
- Family certificate to demonstrate your relationship with your sponsor
- Travel itinerary, which features information on your flight departure, flight number, arrival date, etc
- Proof of accommodation, which include your sponsor’s home rental agreement
How to apply for Austria family visa
Here are steps to guide you in completing an application for Austria family visa.
- Gather your visa application supporting documents
- Book an appointment with an Austrian embassy or consulate, and visit for your application
- Attend visa interview at the embassy
- Wait for the embassy’s decision on your visa application
STEP 1: Gather your visa application supporting documents
As the first step to apply for this type of visa, you need to collate all relevant documents that would facilitate your visa application at the embassy or consulate. Be sure that each of the documents is valid, and translated (if required).
STEP 2: Book an appointment with an Austrian embassy or consulate, and visit for your application
The next step involved in applying for this family visa is to visit an Austrian embassy or consulate in the country where you reside. At the embassy or consulate, you’ll be able to obtain the visa application form.
You need to ensure that you’ve filled out all field on the Austrian visa application form before submitting it, together with your supporting documents.
STEP 3: Attend visa interview at the embassy
#3 out of the 4 steps to apply for an Austria family visa is to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate when you receive the invitation. Indeed, you must adequately prepare yourself for questions asked at visa interviews like this.
These include questions on how you met your spouse, names of family members, etc.
STEP 4: Wait for the embassy’s decision on your visa application
After having an interview with the embassy or consulate, you can expect receiving a decision regarding your family visa application. If approved, you can move on to booking a flight to Austria.
Duration of the Austria family visa
The Austria family visa has a validity period of one (1) year. Without doubt, this implies that you can apply for this visa to stay with your family member in Austria for a period up to 1 year.
To qualify for this family visa, you must have a valid passport or travel document, as well as submit a filled out visa application form to an Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Austria visa success rate?
The success rate for obtaining an Austrian family visa varies on a number of factors, such as your ability to meet the requirements. Generally speaking, the process of getting a family visa to Austria is relatively straightforward, and its success rate is high.
Is it easy to get an Austria family visa?
Yes, it is easy to get a family visa to visit your spouse or child who is an Austrian citizen or resident. The process is simple inasmuch as you qualify for the visa. Hence, you’ll need to provide documentation to prove the relationship that exists between you and your family member. A proof of financial means is also required to support his or her application.
Can an Austria family visa application be denied?
Yes, the embassy can refuse to approve your Austria family visa application. The reasons for a denial can vary, but some common reasons include not possessing all required documents or not meeting the visa eligibility requirements. If your application is denied, you’ll be given a reason for the denial. Thus, you may have to reapply for the visa after satisfying all conditions and requirements.
Who can apply for an Austria family visa?
The family visa for Austria is available to the spouse and children of an Austrian citizen or a foreign national who hold a valid residence permit. The family members must be able to support themselves financially in order to be eligible for the visa.
Who are ineligible to apply for an Austria family visa?
Applicants who are ex-cons or still serving a prison sentence are ineligible to apply for an Austria family visa. Additionally, individuals who have been previously deported from Austria or any other country in Schengen Area are ineligible to apply for this type of visa.
How long does it take to get an Austria family visa?
It takes about three months to get a family visa to visit your spouse or child who is an Austrian citizen or legal resident. The process is very easy to understand, but it is important to make sure that all required documentation is submitted correctly.
What is Austria family visa validity period?
The validity period for this family visa is up to twelve (12) months. Staying more than this period is illegal, and is subject to severe legal actions or deportation.
Can I work in Austria with a family visa?
Yes, you can work during your visit to Austria with a family visa. The visa will allow you to stay in the country for up to one year, with an authorization to work.
Conclusion
In summary, an Austria family visa can help in reuniting families and relatives, as well as to strengthen bonds between them. Its application process is quite simple that you wouldn’t need the service of a representative such as an immigration lawyer. With so much to experience and do in Austria, the whole family is sure to have a wonderful time!
Thanks for reading!
