All Visitors from visa free countries need Schengen visas to enter Austria, which has been the policy since 1997 when Austria became a Schengen country. How to apply for a Schengen visa going to Austria is what this page will show you, so keep reading to learn a thing or two about the visa application process.
Visa Travels To Austria
Anybody who wishes to enter the Schengen Area for any purpose may need a visa, depending on their nationality. Those from visa exempt countries do not need visas as they enjoy visa free entry for a time, but those from non-Schengen visas do.
There are more than 60 countries in the visa free list, and citizens from such countries can enter and stay in the zone for up to 90 days within a 180 days period. But what if you do not come from a visa free country? How do you apply for a visa to Austria?
Let’s take a look.
How To Apply For A Schengen Visa Going To Austria?
There are stages to the visa application process you should be mindful of.
Know Whether You Need A Visa To Austria: The first step is to know whether you need a visa to Austria. If you qualify for visa free entry, you don’t need to move forward with the application; just pick up your passport, pack your luggage, and off you go.
Know The Visa You Need: Perhaps you have done your due diligence and know that you need a visa for Austria; the next move will be to know the type of visa you need. There are different types of Schengen visas, such as tourist, transit, culture and sport, journalists, business, official, and study visas. There are even visas for medical reasons. Know why you need the visa and be guided by it.
Identify The Application Center: The presence or absence of an Austrian embassy in your country will influence how you apply for a Schengen visa going to Austria. If there is an Austrian embassy in the country, then you can submit your application to them; otherwise, look for any of their consulates or apply via a visa center handling such tasks on behalf of the Embassy. If you plan to visit two or more Schengen countries, file your application to the first country you plan to visit. If Austria will be the first country you visit, file the application at the Austrian Embassy, consulate or affiliated visa center.
Book The Appointment: The next step is to book an appointment with the appropriate center. This will depend on the procedure of the Embassy, consulate, or visa center. Some accept appointment bookings online, while others accept phone or in-person bookings. Use the required method to schedule your appointment.
Complete The Application Form: At this point, go online to download the application form. Please fill it out with the correct information that matches what is on your documents. The form will contain fields for your personal information, the purpose of the trip, order details, background information, etc. Make sure every field is filled out.
Gather All Documents: Gather all the required documents for the visa application. You will need a valid passport, two recent and identical photographs, a travel insurance policy available online for sale to cover potential medical expenses, proof of financial means, proof of accommodation, and other documents. Note that additional documents may be required depending on the visa type you are applying for.
Go For The Interview: Go for the interview on the appointed day and bring your documents. You will meet the consular officer, who will review them and ask you personal questions about your intended trips. Endeavor to answer the questions as firmly and honestly as possible and leave no room for doubt or suspicion.
The interview lasts no more than 15 minutes.
Pay the Fee: Pay the visa fee using your credit or debit card so your application can be processed. The fee is €80 for 12-80-year-old applicants and €40 for 6-11-year-olds. Austrian embassies do not charge fees for those not in these age brackets. Also, note that the fee is non-refundable and doesn’t guarantee you the visa.
After completing the above, you must wait for the response from the Embassy. After receiving your application, the Embassy will process it within 15 days or more, depending on the situation; the process takes up to 45 days in some countries.
Once approved, you will be invited to pick up the visa and your passport. Please pick it up and travel as soon as possible because the visa starts counting from the day it is issued.
Now that you know how to apply for a Schengen visa going to Austria, do well to submit your application form and documents as soon as possible.