In this article
Introduction
If you are applying for an Austrian visa from the USA, then you must know that visa applications are processed in Austria Embassy in Washington DC, Consulate-Generals in New York and Los Angeles.
Austria at a glance
The country is the successor to the mighty Austro-Hungary Empire. Situated in the continent of Europe, Austria encompasses an area of 83,878 square kilometers. As per the latest stats available, the population of the country stands at roughly 89 million.
Despite being a landlocked country, Austria is categorized as an advanced economy by the World Economic Forum.
Austria’s baroque architecture, mountain villages, Alpine terrain, and imperial history attract millions of tourists every year. As per stats available on the Austrian tourism website, Austria achieved a record 141 million overnight stays, placing the landlocked country on the 11th spot internationally and 6th spot in Europe.
Austria is also part of Schengen bandwagon.
Applying for Austria Visa in the USA
As stated above, visa applications for Austrian visas are submitted in Austria Embassy in Washington DC, Consulate General in New York and Consulate General in Los Angeles.
Austria Embassy in Washington DC covers the following states:
Texas, Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, Virginia, Delaware, Tennessee, District of Columbia, South Carolina, Florida, Puerto Rica, Georgia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina, Maryland, Mississippi, and Missouri.
Austria Consulate General in New York covers the following states:
Wisconsin, Bermuda, Connecticut, Vermont, Illinois, Rhode Island, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Â New Hampshire, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Austria Consulate General in Los Angeles covers the following states:
US Pacific Islands, Wyoming, Washington, Utah, South Dakota, Oregon, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Nebraska, Montano, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, California, Arizona, and Alaska.
General Information
All itinerants wishing to acquire an Austria entry permit have to submit biometric data. To do so, all itinerants will first acquire an appointment and then in a personal capacity at the facility.
The biometric data of the itinerant and other relevant visa application data is automatically stored in VIS (Visa Information System) and remained valid for reuse purpose for the duration of five years.
It is worth here to mention that itinerant’s nationality (citizenship) and the travel document (passport) decides whether an applicant need to acquire a visa for entry in Austria from the USA or not.
Those persons who are in possession of permanent citizenship of USA do not need a visa to enter Austria if the duration of their intended stay is for up to 90 days. However, they will apply for Austria Residence Permit if the duration of their stay exceeds the 90-day limit.
Those applicants who are in possession of US Alien passports require an Austria visa whether they want to enter Austria for up to 90 days or more.
Likewise, those persons who are in possession of US Refugee passport or permits to re-enter also need to apply for Austrian Visa in Austrian diplomatic missions in the United States.
Airport Transit Visa (Visa A)
The itinerant’s nationality decides whether or not s/he requires an Austrian Airport Transit Visa.
The traveler requires this visa if he wants to travel from the international parts of airports.
Travel Visa (Visa C)
Austrian Travel Visa C or Austrian short-stay visa is required by the itinerant if s/he is planning to stay in Austria for up to 90 days. The Travel Visa C is also called Austrian Schengen Visa.
You should remember that Austrian Schengen Visa or Visa C does not tantamount to work permit. This means that a person who is in possession of Austrian Schengen Visa is not legally allowed to work in the country.
You must also remember that if you want to apply for an Austrian Schengen Visa, then your main destination must be Austria. For example, if you want to visit Germany, Italy and Austria. Then you will apply for Austrian Schengen Visa if you want to spend most of the duration of your stay in Austria.
Austrian National Visa
An Austrian National Visa will be required by the applicant if s/he wants to stay for a period surpassing the 90-day limit and the itinerant is not the citizen of EU or FTA (Free Trade Association).
It is also called Austrian Visa D. This visa entitles its owner to transit through or stays in any of the Schengen members
Procedure for Applying for Austrian Visa from the USA
Go to the website to find out whether you need a visa or not for seeking entry into the Austrian territory.
As per standard protocols, procedures and Visa Code, the Austrian diplomatic mission (Embassy of Austria in Washington DC, Austria Consulate General in Los Angeles and Austria Consulate General in New York) can consume 15 workings days to process itinerant’s application process.
Austrian diplomatic missions in the United States recommend submitting visa application at least three-to-four weeks prior to intended departure date. You must also keep in mind that Austrian diplomatic missions do not accept visa applications three months prior to departure date.
All visa aspirant are bound to appear in a personal capacity.
A legal guardian or a parent must accompany minors (applicants under the age of 18).
If the itinerant is staying in the United States as a tourist, then he is not permitted to apply for the visa at the Austrian diplomatic missions (Embassy of Austria in Washington DC, Austria Consulate General in Los Angeles and Austria Consulate General in New York).
Make an Online Appointment
Go to the website and click on the VFS website to make an online appointment.
Scroll down and you will see the ‘Schedule An Appointment’ box. Click on it to proceed with the application process.
Use your credentials to log in, otherwise make username and password to secure the appointment.
Mandatory documents for Austrian Visa
Passport.
Visa application form fully completed and singed.
Flight Reservation for visa application: A flight reservation/flight itinerary is a document illustrating the proposed route of itinerant’s flight, arrival, and departure dates, unique IATA and reservation codes.
Attach a roundtrip flight reservation with your visa application if you are applying for the Austrian Schengen visa. Otherwise, attach one-way flight reservation.
Travel health insurance: Travel health insurance is a mandatory document. Schengen states want itinerant to get himself medically cover by availing a travel health insurance providing minimum coverage of at least 30, 000 euros or USD 50,000.
Also, before availing the travel health insurance, inquire from the insurance agent that whether the insurance is valid in the whole Schengen Area and whether it covers the cost of repatriation after death.
Hotel Bookings/Proof of Accommodation: A hotel booking or proof of accommodation is a document showing that the itinerant has made arrangements for the duration of stay in Austria and made payments in this regard in advance.
Means of subsistence: It means to provide evidence to the Austrian Embassy or consulate that the applicant has sufficient amount or financial resources to bear his/her expenditures during his stay in the Schengen country. There is no precise or exact amount regulated by Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria.
It may vary on a case-to-case basis.
If employed:
Contract
3-month old valid bank statement
Company’s permission letter
Income Tax Return
If self-employed:
Copy of license for business
3-month old company’s bank statement
ITR
If retired:
3-month pension statement.
If applicable:
Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months.
Recent nationwide criminal history check.
US work permit
Confirmation of participation in any type of event or activity
Self-addressed, pre-paid US express mail envelope (if applicable)
Following individuals are immune from submitting the biometric data
- Children with age not exceeding 12 years
- A person with any such disability preventing the itinerant from submitting the biometric data.
- Government officials or ministers.
Step Five: Interview
Appear for the interview at the relevant Austrian diplomatic mission (Austria Embassy in Washington DC, Consulate General in New York or Consulate General in Los Angeles) on the date that you have secured online.
Reach at least 30 minutes prior and dress formally.
Be calm and answer all the questions with honesty.
Step Six: Track Your Visa Application
The VFS keep you updated on the status of your application. Just enter a unique code to track your Austrian application.
Address of Austria Embassy Washington DC
3524 International Ct NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Address of Austria Consulate General in Los Angeles
11859 Wilshire Blvd # 501, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
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