Types of visas

Airport transit visa (visa A)

An airport transit visa (visa A) allows you to pass through the international transit areas of airports in EU Member States, but doesn’t allow you to enter Austria. Some people don’t need Visa A (e.g. holders of a valid uniform visa, national long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen Member State).

More information on visa A (in German and English): www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_Fremdenpolizei/visumspflichten/start.aspx

To get the visa A, you have to apply to an Austrian Embassy. You can’t obtain a Visa A at the border. You can apply between 90 and 15 days before entering Austria.

Information on Austrian embassies (in English and German): www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassies-consulates/search-for-austrian-representations.

Visa C (Schengen Visa)

Short term visa. It allows you to stay in Austria a maximum of 90 days in a 180 days period. With visa C you can enter all Schengen Member States. When you apply you need to provide mandatory documents depending on your purpose of stay. More information on visa C (in English): www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/355/Seite.1209011.html.

To get the visa C, you have to apply to an Austrian Embassy. You can’t obtain a Visa C at the border. You can obtain the application form on-line (in English, French and Spanish): www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/5-Buergerservice_Zentrale/ReiseGrenzverkehr/Visa_application.pdf.

Information on Austrian embassies (in English and German): www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassies-consulates/search-for-austrian-representations.

Visa D (Residence Visa)

Long term visa. It allows you to stay in Austria for a maximum of 180 days. It’s valid for all Schengen Member States.

You should also apply for this visa if you’re in the process of obtaining a temporary residence permit.

You can get visa D only by Austrian authorities (at the Austrian embassy in your country or in Austria).

You can apply between 90 and 15 days before entering Austria.

Information on Austrian embassies (in English and German): www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassies-consulates/search-for-austrian-representations.