Austria

Austria visa guide: all visa and residence types

16 visa types
checked 25 October 2026

How visas for Austria work

Schengen visas for Austria are applied for at the Austrian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of legal residence when Austria is your main destination; in many countries the mission uses an external service provider to receive applications. The standard fee is EUR 90. Austria sets no fixed daily amount for funds; hosts in Austria can guarantee a visitor's costs with an electronic declaration of liability (EVE).

For longer stays you apply for a residence title, not just a visa: students, Red-White-Red Card holders, family members and others generally lodge their first application in person at the Austrian representation responsible for their place of residence, and the residence authority in Austria decides. Once approved, a type D visa (EUR 195) lets you travel to Austria and collect the residence card.

Skilled immigration is organised around the Red-White-Red Card, with points systems for very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, other key workers and start-up founders, plus the EU Blue Card with a 2026 salary threshold of EUR 55,678 a year. Most family members must prove A1 German before arrival.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday, family visit or business up to 90 days: Schengen visa (type C), if your nationality needs one.

University studies: student residence permit with EUR 777.58 a month (under 24) or EUR 1,308.39 (24 and over).

Degree and job offer at EUR 55,678 a year or more: EU Blue Card; trained worker in a shortage occupation: RWR card with 55 of 90 points.

Highly qualified without a job offer yet: six-month job-seeker visa (70 of 100 points).

Living in Austria on pensions or assets: settlement permit except gainful employment (EUR 2,616.78 a month for a single person, quota).

Joining a spouse or parent: family reunification with A1 German, sponsor income and housing.

Visa types for Austria

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Schengen visa (type C) for individual tourism
Holidays with Austria as main destination need a Schengen visa if your nationality is visa-required.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Family and friends visit visa Schengen visa for visiting friends or family (with EVE)
To stay with friends or family in Austria you apply for a Schengen visa with the host's invitation.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

Business and self-employment

Business visa Schengen visa (type C) for business
Business trips to Austria of up to 90 days need a Schengen visa if your nationality is visa-required.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Entrepreneur and start-up visa Red-White-Red Card – start-up founders
Founders of an innovative start-up can obtain a Red-White-Red Card with a consistent business plan, controlling influence over management, capital of at least EUR 30,000 with at least 50 % equity, and at least 50 of 85 points.
Validity: Up to 24 months; then RWR card plus.
Self-employed and freelancer visa Red-White-Red Card – self-employed key workers
Self-employed people whose activity brings a macroeconomic benefit to Austria, for example through an investment of at least EUR 100,000, job creation or the transfer of know-how, can obtain a Red-White-Red Card as self-employed key workers.
Validity: 24 months; then a settlement permit, and after two years a three-year settlement permit.

Study and training

Student visa Residence permit – Student (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender)
Students admitted to a recognised Austrian university or college apply for a residence permit for students before travelling.
Validity: Usually one year, extended on proof of study progress.

Work

Work visa Red-White-Red Card – other key workers
Qualified workers whose occupation is not on the shortage list can still obtain a Red-White-Red Card as "other key workers" if they reach 55 of 90 points and the job pays at least EUR 3,465 gross a month in 2026.
Validity: 24 months.
Skilled worker visa Red-White-Red Card – skilled workers in shortage occupations
Trained workers in an occupation on Austria's shortage list can obtain a Red-White-Red Card with a binding job offer paying at least the collective-agreement minimum and at least 55 of 90 points for training, experience, languages and age.
Validity: 24 months; then the RWR card plus.
EU Blue Card EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)
The EU Blue Card in Austria requires a degree of at least three years (or three years' experience for ICT professionals), a matching job offer with a gross annual salary of at least EUR 55,678 in 2026, and a positive labour-market test by the AMS.
Validity: 24 months.
Job seeker visa Job-seeker visa for very highly qualified workers
Very highly qualified people who reach at least 70 of 100 points can receive a six-month type D job-seeker visa to look for work in Austria.
Maximum stay: Six months
Intra-company transfer visa ICT residence permit (intra-corporate transferees)
Managers, specialists and trainee employees transferred to an Austrian branch of their group receive an ICT permit for up to three years (one year for trainees).
Validity: Up to three years; trainees one year.
Seasonal work visa Seasonal work in tourism, agriculture and forestry
Austria admits third-country seasonal workers in tourism and agriculture/forestry within quotas.
Maximum stay: Up to six months per permit; nine months in any 12-month period.

Family

Family reunification visa Family reunification (Red-White-Red Card plus, Family Member, settlement permit)
Spouses, registered partners (both at least 21) and minor children can join a sponsor in Austria.
Validity: Usually 12 months; three years after Module 1 and two years of uninterrupted residence.

Residence

Retirement visa Settlement permit – gainful employment excepted
Retirees and financially independent people can live in Austria on a settlement permit that excludes gainful employment.
Validity: Generally one year; three years after completing Module 1 and two years of uninterrupted residence.
Permanent residence Long-term resident EU (Daueraufenthalt – EU)
After five years of uninterrupted lawful residence in Austria you can apply for long-term resident EU status if you meet the general requirements (income, insurance, accommodation) and have completed Module 2 of the integration agreement.
Validity: Card valid for five years, renewable; free labour-market access.

Asylum and international protection

Asylum and international protection Asylum procedure in Austria (BFA)
Asylum in Austria can only be requested in person on Austrian territory.
Processing time: Regular procedure: up to six months from lodging, at most 21 months.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I apply for an Austrian visa?

Schengen visas go to the Austrian embassy or consulate in whose district you legally reside, often through its external service provider. First applications for residence titles are generally lodged in person at the Austrian representation responsible for your place of residence.

How much does an Austrian visa cost?

Schengen visa EUR 90 (children aged 6 to under 12 EUR 45), type D visa EUR 195, most residence permits EUR 218. The mission sets how fees are paid, and external service providers charge their own service fee.

What is an EVE?

An electronic declaration of liability signed by a host in Austria, guaranteeing the visitor's costs. It is accepted if the host's income, after fixed costs, reaches the ASVG reference rate.

What is the Red-White-Red Card?

Austria's residence and work permit for qualified third-country nationals, based on points systems or specific conditions, generally issued for 24 months and followed by the RWR card plus.

Do I need German to join my spouse?

Yes, A1 German is required at first application, with exemptions for example for family of certain highly skilled workers and of refugees.