Different Types of Austria Travel Visas Explained

Austria is a beautiful European state characterized by alpine scenery, magnificent palaces, and gardens, the tradition of classical music, and such bustling cities as Vienna or Salzburg. Regardless of the purpose of your travel, whether it is a short holiday, a business trip or a long term stay to study or work, Austria has got a range of visas that suit the various needs of travelers. You need to know the kind of visa that will match your traveling requirements before you set out on your trip.

Whether it is a short-term Schengen visa or a long-stay national visa, the visa system is designed in such a way that it caters to the needs of tourists, students, professionals, and family members seeking to visit Austria. In this guide, we will explain the different types of Austria travel visas, highlight which Austria visa is easiest to get, and answer the common question: how many visa types are there in the Austria travel visa system?

Here are the Types of Austria Travel Visas

1. Schengen Visa (Short-Term Visa – Type C)

It is the most popular and widely used visa, which permits the stay in Austria and other Schengen states of up to 90 days out of 180 days. It is best suited to:

• Tourism
• Going to see friends or relatives.
• Business trips
• Brief training or education courses
• With Austria being a Schengen member, the Type C visa is accepted in all the 27 Schengen countries, as it gives one the opportunity to move freely in the territory. This is the category that in most cases may be the easiest Austria visa from Oman to obtain particularly to those travelers who have good travel history and have the right documentation.
• Length: 90 days maximum
• Processing Time: 15 working days (consulate dependent)
• Validity: Schengen Area

2. National Visa (Long-Term Visa – Type D)

A National Visa (D visa) is required in case you intend to reside in Austria over 90 days. The visa is Austria specific and it entitles the holder to live, work or study in Austria on long term basis.

This visa can be used in:

• Employment
• Research in Austrian universities
• Family reunification
• Research or internship
• Depending on the purpose, applicants are many times required to obtain residence permits in addition to the visa. The documentation is more cumbersome than that of the Schengen visa.
• Duration: Over 90 days
• Processing Time: 4-6 weeks
• Validity: Austria (and restricted Schengen access)

3. Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

Airport Transit Visa applies to passengers that are transiting in an Austrian airport on their way to a non-Schengen destination. This visa can not be used to enter Austria or any Schengen state, it can only allow airport transit.

Required for:

• The nationals of certain countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, etc.
• The passengers who have a layover in Austria and do not leave the country
• Duration: Just transit time
• Validity: Only airport zone.

4. Student Visa

No visa is required to the students of the EU/EEA, but the non-EU citizens have to obtain a student visa ( typically a National Visa D or residence permit) to pursue educational courses in Austria.

• Candidates are to submitted:
• Documentation of enrollment to an Austrian school.
• Adequate financial resources
• Coverage of health insurance
• Student visa may result in a residence permit that may be renewed as long as the course lasts.

5. Work Visa / Red-White-Red Card

• Austria maintains an organized immigration policy on skilled worker and professionals called the Red-White-Red Card. This is a long-term residence and work visa, which enables the non-EU citizens to work and live in Austria on the basis of the points-based system, which considers the qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and age.
• There are the following types of work visas:
• Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations Red-White-Red Card.
• Very Highly Qualified Workers Visa
• EU Blue Card
• Period: up to 2 years, with extension
• Eligibility: Points based assessment

6. Family Reunification Visa

• Austria encourages family unity as it provides a visa to the family members of the Austrian citizen or legal residents. They can be applied by spouses, registered partners, minor children, and in certain instances, dependent parents.
• There are some income and accommodation criteria that the applicants should have. On arrival, they might need a residence permit.
• Processing Time: A few weeks to months based on the complexity of the case

7. Business Visa

This is a short stay visa under the Schengen Type C category but is specially issued to those who intend to stay in the country on business-related matters such as meetings, conferences, or trade fairs.

Requirements include:

• Invitation of an Austrian company.
• Business registration and financial stability evidentiaries.
• Travel insurance
• It is also among the Austria visas that are easy to obtain, in case the applicant has a good professional record and has strong attachments to the home country.

How Many Visa Types Are There in the Austria Visa System? 

• There are three broad categories of visa available in Austria:
• Short-Stay Visa (Type C – Schengen)
• Long-Stay Visa (Type D – National)
• Airport Transit Visa (Type A)
• Under these, some sub visas include work visas, student visas and family reunion visas. Thus, when asking how many types of Austria travel visas are there in the Austria, the basic answer would be that there are three main types but they are divided into specialized visas depending on the purpose and the length of stay.

FAQs

Q1. Which Austria visa is easiest to get?

The Austria visa that is often the least difficult to get is the Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) basically because it is a visa that is mostly granted to tourists who have all their documents in order and who have sufficient financial evidence as well as a good travel record. This category also offers business visas which are relatively straightforward to the professionals who have the right support.

Q2. What is the total number of visas in the Austria?

Three visa categories are predominant; Type A (Transit), Type C (Short-Stay/Schengen) and Type D (Long-Stay/National). These have certain sub-categories depending on the purpose of travel, like work, study, tourism or family reunification.

Q3. Is it possible to work in Austria on a tourist visa?

No, tourist visa can not allow one to work. To become eligible to work in Austria, you have to make an application of a work visa or Red-White-Red Card.

Q4. Will an Austria visa allow me to travel across Europe?

With a Schengen Visa (Type C), yes, you are allowed to move within all the 27 countries that make the Schengen Area, during a period of 90 days, within a 180 days period.

Q5. Is health insurance required in applying to the Austrian visa?

Yes, a valid travel or health insurance, covering at least 30 000 euro is required when applying for a visa, particularly when applying a short-term Schengen visa.

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