Travel to Austria

The Republic of Austria is represented in the United States of America by the Austrian Embassy in Washington and the Austrian Consulates General in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. In order to find the responsible Austrian Consulate please check the list of jurisdiction.

Since November 2010 the Austrian Consulate General represents the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Belgium in New York only in Schengen Visa C affairs of applicants living in the following US states:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Applicants applying for National Visas and Residence Permits for Belgium still need to apply with the Belgian Consulate General in New York.

Please note that all information and requirements mentioned on our webpage apply for a Belgian same as for an Austrian Schengen visa application.

The following entry and residence permits can be applied for:

• Schengen Visa (C)
  stays between 1 and 90 days
  e.g. Tourists, Business Travelers, Family Visits, Attendance of Cultural Events, Congress, Seminar or Trade Visitors/Exhibitors, etc.
  
  
• Austrian National Visa (D)
  stays between 91 and 180 days
  e.g. Students, temporary Employees, Interns, Researchers, etc.
  
  
• Austrian Residence Permit
  stays more than 181 days
  Residence Permits can be applied for for various purposes.

Please, note the following important information:

• main destination
  Applications have to be submitted at the Consulate of the member state of your main destination. If you are not sure whether Austria or Belgium is your main destination you are advised to check with us by email first.
  
  
• personal submission
  Applicants have to submit their application in person within our opening hours. In some exceptions applicants are waived to appear in person (e.g. students that are going to study in Austria, Scientists going for research at Austrian institutions). Therefore, if you wish to submit your application by mail you are requested to forward a scanned copy of your passport and previous Schengen visas by email. Each case is decided individually.
  Please note that if you forward your application by mail, but have not been permitted to do so in advance, your application documentation may be returned.
  
  
• submission of originals
  If you wish to get your original documents returned, please provide a copy thereof.
   
• Only complete applications will be accepted.
  
  

On April 29, 2010 the Austrian Consulate General in Chicago launched the Visa Information Service (VIS). Please note that the Consulate General does not have access to the appointment schedule.
The VIS arranges appointments in German or English and provides general information regarding visas and residence permits. If you got detailed questions you are advised to get in touch with the Consulate General directly.

Please note that it is not compulsive to have an appointment arranged to submit your application, but be advised that applicants with appointments are always attended first and have a guarantee of submission on the same day, while walk-in applicants are attended only if there is still enough time.

To access the service applicants need to dial the following numbers:

within the USA     +1 / 312 / 628 1297
within Austria       +43 / 1 / 229 7210  

Please note that the VIS charges a service fee of EUR 12,73 to be paid by Visa or Master Card only. The operating hours are Monday to Friday, 08.00 am to 05.00 pm CST.

We have been informed by the VIS that they presently are facing connectivity problems as and some credit cards are being charged more than once. If this applies to you, we ask you to please email us and we will ensure that you are reimbursed.

Further information about the Austrian Visa Information Service click here.

A visa does not permit employment in Austria!

Foreigners who intend to work in Austria may contact the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) or private employment services.

For more information about working in Austria click here.

• valid passport (valid 3 months beyond your intended stay) incl. valid visa (if applicable)
• return flight ticket
• means of support during your stay (cash, credit cards, traveler's cheques, etc.)
• proof of accommodation (hotel reservation, etc...)

• proof of medical travel insurance

Last update: June 22, 2011