Apply for a student visa for Austria: All information about the application

In Austria, as an international student, you can study at a public university, private university, university of applied sciences, or a pedagogical university. Many Austrian universities also offer programs in English. Depending on your nationality and how long you plan to stay in Austria, a visa may be required. Find out here if you need a visa for Austria and what steps you need to take to successfully apply for a student visa for Austria.

Who needs which visa for studying in Austria?

1. Students from the EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland: Do not need a visa to study in Austria. However, if you plan to stay in Austria for more than three months, you must register with the local residence authority (Magistrat, Bezirkshauptmannschaft) within four months and apply for a "registration certificate". You should first register with the registration office.
    
2. Students from visa-requiring third countries who do not yet have a confirmed study place: Must apply for a so-called "study applicant visa". A student visa can only be applied for if you are enrolled at an Austrian university.
    
3. Students from visa-requiring third countries - stay up to 3 months: Those coming from visa-requiring third countries to Austria for study purposes, with a stay not exceeding 3 months, must apply for a C-visa (Schengen visa) for short stays as a student visa for Austria. Citizens of non-EU countries who are exempt from visa requirements due to an agreement are not required to apply for a visa. A list of visa-free countries has been compiled by the Austrian Exchange Service. With a C-visa, you can also travel to all other Schengen countries.
    
4. Students from third countries - stay up to 6 months: Those from visa-requiring third countries who are coming to Austria for study purposes or a longer language course for more than 90 days must apply for a D-visa for long stays as a student visa for Austria. With a D-visa, you can also travel for 90 days within 180 days to all other Schengen countries. IMPORTANT: If you are a Japanese citizen, you do not need a student visa for Austria for stays up to 6 months. This rule is valid only for Austria due to a bilateral agreement between Austria and Japan!
    
5. Students from third countries - stay longer than 6 months: If your study stay in Austria exceeds 6 months, you will need a student residence permit (residence permit - student). In this case, it is best to apply for the necessary residence permit in advance at the Austrian embassy. After a positive decision, you must apply for a D-visa to pick up the student residence permit. Generally, it is also possible to first apply for a D-visa for students and apply for the student residence permit in Austria if a proper study is proven. However, if processing your student residence permit takes longer than the validity of your visa, you will still need to leave the country. A residence permit for studying in Austria is usually issued for 12 months and can be extended locally. With a student residence permit, you may also work up to 20 hours per week.
    
6. Students with a residence permit from another Schengen country: If you hold a valid "student" residence permit in another EU member state (except for the UK, Ireland, and Denmark) and your university participates in a mobility program or has an agreement between two universities, you do not need a visa and can stay in Austria for up to 360 days. If the above conditions are not met, you may need to apply for a visa for studying in Austria at the Austrian representation authorities in Bratislava, Ljubljana, or Munich.

What requirements do I need to fulfill for a student visa for Austria?

To apply for a student visa for Austria, you must fulfill the following requirements:

1. You need a valid passport
2. You need an acceptance letter or enrollment confirmation from an Austrian university
3. For many study programs in Austria, you must provide proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language. Please check with your Austrian university.
4. You must prove sufficient financial resources to demonstrate that you can afford your stay:
   • Students up to 24 years old: 533.85 euros/month of stay
   • Students over 24 years old: 966.65 euros/month of stay
   • For married couples: 1,524.99 euros/month of stay
   • For each child additionally: 149.15 euros/month of stay

Step-by-step to studying in Austria

1. Apply to Austrian universities for an acceptance letter.
2. Enroll in a German language course (if required) and obtain a certificate.
3. Arrange accommodation, either in a dormitory or another form of housing.
4. Make an appointment to submit your visa application at the Austrian representation (embassy/consulate) in your country.
5. Gather all required documents for your visa application.
6. Attend the appointment at the visa office and submit your complete student visa application.
7. Your fingerprints will be taken.
8. Pay the visa fee (the amount depends on whether it's a C- or D-visa).
9. Your visa application will be reviewed. For a C-visa, processing usually takes only 15 days. A D-visa may take longer.
10. Once approved, you can pick up your passport with the visa.
11. Arrive in Austria.
12. Register at the local registration office within three working days of arrival in Austria.

Good to know: Submit your visa application with all necessary documents on time. You can apply for your visa up to 6 months before your planned departure.

What documents do I need for the visa application?

You must apply for the visa personally at the responsible Austrian representation authority (embassy or consulate) before entering Austria. To receive a positive decision for a student visa in Austria, you need to ensure that your visa application is complete; otherwise, your visa will be rejected.

Checklist for student visa Austria:

• Completed visa application form (for either a C-visa or a D-visa)
• Valid travel document (issued in the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages and valid for 3 months after departure)
• Passport photo in color, measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm according to passport photo criteria
• Acceptance letter/enrollment confirmation from the Austrian university
• Proof of financing for the stay (savings account or bank account in your name that can be accessed from Austria)
• Additional financial proof if accommodation or insurance costs exceed 299.95 euros/month
• Proof of accommodation (registration in a student dormitory, accommodation confirmation, invitation letter if staying with family or friends)
• Proof of Schengen travel health insurance for the entire Schengen area with a coverage of at least 30,000 euros
• Flight, bus, or train reservation
• Proof of ties to your home country to demonstrate your intention to return (e.g. employment verification, study certificate, spouse, children, etc.)

Financial note: Alternatively, if your finances are insufficient, you can ask someone living in Austria to provide a declaration of commitment. This person agrees to cover the costs of your stay. Traveler's cheques or a scholarship confirmation are also possible.

When should I apply for a student visa?

You should apply for your visa at least three to six months before your planned arrival in Austria. Please note that preparations may need to begin early due to possible certifications and translations.

How much does a student visa for Austria cost?

Depending on whether you are applying for a C-visa for up to 3 months or a national D-visa for 6 months (in rare cases also valid for 12 months), the costs for a student visa vary. A student visa for short stays is free in Austria and the entire Schengen area for pupils, students, and participants in advanced study programs for study or training stays.

The costs for a C-visa up to 3 months:

• 0 Euros for children under 6 years, pupils, students, and participants in advanced study programs
• 80 Euros for adults
• 40 Euros for children between 6 and 12 years
• Typically 35 Euros for citizens of countries that have signed the EU visa facilitation agreement

The costs for a D-visa for Austria up to 6 months:

• 150 Euros for individuals over 6 years
• 75 Euros for individuals under 6 years

Costs for a residence permit for longer stays:

• 120 Euros application fee
• 20 Euros issuance fee
• 20 Euros personalization costs (photo and signature taken)

How can AXA assist me with the application for a student visa?

For the application for a student visa in Austria, you must absolutely present a travel health insurance for the Schengen area that meets certain criteria:

• Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros
• Valid for the entire Schengen area
• Covers accident, rescue, and repatriation costs

With AXA, you can easily apply for your travel insurance for your Schengen visa online. Choose between our affordable Low-Cost Insurance for just 22 € per insurance week or the Europe Travel Insurance, which covers not only the Schengen countries but also all EU countries. Once you have completed your insurance for your travel period, AXA will send you your insurance certificate conveniently by email. You can attach this to your visa application. The AXA Schengen insurances are accepted by all embassies and consulates.

These articles may also interest you

• What should an invitation letter for an Austria visa look like?
• How to apply for a tourist visa for Austria?
• How to apply for a work visa for Austria?
• How to apply for a visa for Austria from Turkey?
• How to apply for a visa for Austria from Russia?
• Visa for France: Requirements, Documents, and Application

FAQ: Student Visa Austria

Can I work with a student visa for Austria?

With a student visa, whether C-visa or D-visa, you are not allowed to work in Austria. For employment purposes, a work visa must be applied for in advance. Students from third countries can only work up to 20 hours per week with a residence permit for students. If you are employed by an employer, they must obtain a work permit from the Labor Market Service (AMS) in advance.

How do I get a “Student” residence permit in Austria?

You can apply for a Student residence permit for study stays over 6 months in advance at the embassy or, under certain circumstances, also on-site in Austria after entering with a D-visa. A prerequisite in any case is proof of admission to a regular study program at an Austrian university.

What are the requirements for a student visa for Austria?

You need an admission notice from an Austrian university or college, a valid passport, sufficient financial resources, and travel insurance for the entire Schengen area.