Austria Tourist Visa – Eligibility, Application, Processing Time

Travelers who wish to enter Austria for tourism purposes can obtain an Austrian tourist visa or travel authorization.

Austria is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Located in Central Europe, Austria shares its borders with the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

If you want to visit Austria, you need to get a tourist visa. There are a few different types of Austrian visas, and each has its own requirements.

In this article, we will explore the eligibility criteria, application requirements, application fees, and steps on how to apply for an Austria tourist visa. Stay close!

What is Austria Tourist Visa?

If you are planning a trip to Austria and want to stay longer than the 90-day duration of your standard tourist visa, you may be interested in applying for an Austria Tourist Visa.

This visa allows tourists who have a valid passport from a country that participates in the Schengen Agreement to stay in Austria for up to six months.

Other requirements for this visa include having proof of travel arrangements and sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Therefore, here are the countries you can travel to with an Austria visa: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany and Greece.

Other countries include Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

It is noteworthy that your application for the visa will take 15 days or more depending on the embassy you are applying to.

Therefore, prepare all documents and necessary data for your application beforehand.

Eligibility for the Austria Tourist Visa

You don’t need an Austria tourist if you are a citizen of Schengen Area or the EEA/EU.

Your purpose and reasons for traveling to the countries must be justifiable, time-bound within a given period, with evidence of a valid passport and necessary documents.

The validity of a tourist visa is not more than 90 days. However, if you wish to travel to different Schengen countries, you should fill in the multiple-entry gap in your application form.

This will permit you to leave and enter Austria for the duration of time your visa is valid.

More so, you can issue a single entry visa, double-entry or multiple-entry visa depending on the reasons and frequency of your visits.

Basically, the number of days you plan on staying in Austria as stated on your visa application form may determine the validity of your entry visa.

Required Documents for Austria Tourist Visa

Undoubtedly, to be eligible for an Austria tourist visa, you need to meet the application requirements and submit valid documents for your application.

Here are some of the important documents you need for your application:

• Visa application form: Getting a visa application form is not negotiable for your travel. You can get the form online, fill in your correct data, print it and sign at the end.
• Valid Passport: A valid passport is a very important travel document. So, you need to prepare it beforehand.

It must not be older than 10 years with a validity of at least three months beyond your stay in Austria.

More so, there have to be at least two blank pages on your passport where you can affix your visa sticker.

• Schengen Travel Health Insurance: Without a doubt, it is very important to purchase a health insurance plan of not less than €30,000 to cover medical emergencies associated with your travels.
• Two recent photos: You must provide two recent photos that meet the Schengen visa photo criteria, taken within the last 3 months.
• Roundtrip reservation: Getting a roundtrip reservation or itinerary is very important for your application process.

However, you must include the flight number, including the date that specifies your exit and entry into the Schengen areas.

• Financial proof:  You must be able to provide for yourself in Austria without any social benefits.
• Invitation letter: You need to submit an invitation letter if a family member, or friend has invited you to Austria.
• An employment contract: During your application, you need to submit a signed employment contract.

Application fee for Austria tourist Visa

The Austria tourist visa fee is a non-refundable administration fee that you need to pay your visa application to be processed.

This application fee depends on the age of the applicants as well as other factors.

However, the Austria tourist visa for children between the ages of 6 to 12 years is €40. Adult tourist visa application fee is about €80 for one person.

Austria tourist visa for citizens of Russian, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, and Georgia cost €35.

How do you apply for an Austria Tourist Visa?

Of course, applying for an Austria tourist visa is a relatively simple process.

However, in order not to make things hard for yourself, you must ensure you have the necessary documents and succinctly follow the steps given below for a successful application.

Step 1: Check for eligibility

The first and the most important step for anyone travelling to Austria is to check for their qualification and eligibility for the Austria Tourist Visa.

There are different Austria visas available. Hence, you need to be certain that you meet the requirements for the Austria visa for tourism.

Step 2: Fill out the visa application form

Download and fill in the visa application form correctly, inputting your correct data.

The application format for the Austria tourist visa is the same, regardless of the country you are applying for. Some of the information you will need to fill on your application form is:

• Your personal information such as name, country of origin, date of birth etc.
• Information on your background,
• Your purpose for entering the Schengen Area,
• Other important details relating to your trip.

Step 3: Gather the supporting documents

Compile and submit the necessary documents for an Austria tourist visa.

Step 4: Book an appointment for an interview

Schedule a visa interview with the embassy or consulates of the destination you are planning to visit.

However, the interview can be made online, or in person at the consulate, embassy, or visa center.

Step 5: Attend the interview

On the day of your appointment, you need to be punctual. Do not risk attending the interview late.

They might ask some personal questions about your whereabouts and other travel details.

Thus, make sure your answers are correct and that they comply with the information in other documents. The interview may last around 10-20 minutes.

Step 6: Proceed to pay the application fees

Lastly, make full payment of the Austria tourist visa fee. It is a non-refundable €80 per person. Children can go for a reduced price or no fees at all.

You will need to submit your application form no less than 15 days before your journey to Austria.

Also, you cannot apply for a tourist visa earlier than three months before you plan to embark on your trip

Upon the successful completion of your visa application, you can await the approval of your application.

If your visa application is denied, read the reasons why the consulates or embassy didn’t grant you a visa and try to fulfil it the next time you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a multiple entry tourist visa to Austria?

It is possible for you to obtain a multiple entry tourist visas to Austria, which can be valid for one year, three years, or five years in to 90 days in a 180 days period.

How long does it take to get an Austria visa?

An Austria visa should be issued within 15 calendar days, in some cases this can be extended up to 30 days.

How much bank balance is required for Austria tourist visa?

You need to show a minimum balance of €3000 over the last 6 months.

However, if you do not have this amount in your bank, you could show a family member or guardian’s statement instead, with an enclosed letter stating that they are sponsoring your travel and stay.

Is Austria a rich country?

The economy of Austria is a developed social market economy, with the country being one of the fourteen richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

Can I change my tourist visa to work visa in Austria?

To apply for a work visa, the applicant must have a valid job offer from an Austrian company.

However, if an applicant switches employer before the visa expires, they will have to submit a new application to link the new job to their visa.

Is Austria visa open?

Austria welcomes visitors from across the world, provided they have the relevant paperwork. Non-EU citizens who meet the Schengen visa requirements can get a visa for Austria.

Is Austria safe?

Austria is one of the safest countries in the world. Its robbery, assault, and car rates are among the lowest in the developed world, while violent crimes rarely occur.

Conclusion

Having stated all you need to know to obtain the Austria tourist visa and to tour any Schengen area of your choice, you must adhere to all instructions given by your tourist advisor to ensure a safe tour.