AUSTRIA

VISA REQUIRED

YOUR INFORMATION*

Nationality: India
Destination: Austria
Purpose of trip: Business

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COUNTRY INFORMATION

(INCLUDING CONSULAR CLOSURES AND BUSINESS VISITOR ACTIVITIES)

TBC.

IMPORTANT / IN-PERSON APPLICATION

A Schengen visa is a short stay visa allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen area. The Schengen area covers 26 countries (“Schengen States”) without border controls between them.

Therefore, you must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that you intend to visit first, or – if you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the Consulate of the country where you will spend the longest period. However in practise, it can be difficult to meet the requirements / evidence the second route.

Varied validity. All visa issuance is subject to consular discretion.

Generally it is advisable to make a 6 month multiple entry visa request. Please also note that all Schengen visas allow a stay of up to 90 days in every 180 day period.

Please note that the (VFSGlobal) Visa Application Centre only accepts visa applications via an appointment system. YOU MUST ATTEND THE APPOINTMENT IN-PERSON YOURSELF TO FILE THE APPLICATION (see also below biometric enrollment requirement).

To make an appointment, please book online (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/aut/book-an-appointment). You may also re-schedule / cancel the appointment using the same web link.

Please be aware that all appointments are subject to availability.

All Schengen visa applicants (apart from Minors under 12 years old) are required to enroll their biometric data when submitting a Schengen visa application. These biometric data will be collected using a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process that captures a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital fingerprint scanner.

You must also make payment of the consular fees yourself (see processing times section below for full pricing structure).

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh) or Credit/Debit card. Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

When applicants are unable to collect in person themselves, they may authorise another person to collect the passport on their behalf. The nominated person will need to bring an authorisation letter (see example here) signed by the applicant, the applicant’s passport photocopy with the stapled receipt and some proof of Identity (with photograph).

Alternatively, applicants unable to collect their passports within the given time slots, always can opt for Courier Service, whereby passports are returned via Courier Delivery DX at an additional fee of £14.95.

COURIER SERVICE:

Using the Courier Service allows applicants to have their Passport/Travel document returned by Special Delivery; VFS uses the services of the private courier company DX to any delivery address in the United Kingdom chosen by the applicant. This can be purchased at the time of the visa application submission and you will receive a DX reference number, which can be tracked on the courier company’s website (www.dxdelivery.com) in order to obtain an update about the courier process at any given time.

Austria Visa Application Centre
66 Wilson Street
London
EC2A 2BT

Tel: 0871 376 2101
Email: info.schengen@vfshelpline.com
Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/aut

Passport collection time: 16:00 to 17:30 (Monday to Friday)
OTHER LOCATIONS (EDINBURGH, MANCHESTER OR CARDIFF):
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/aut/attend-centre

IMPORTANT: The (VFSGlobal) Visa Application Centre in London reserves the right to request additional documentation in support of an application, and can amend / increase consular fees without prior notice. Before starting the request form, if you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

NEXT STEPS

Global Visas can assist with arranging the appointment, reviewing your documents and provide guidance on what to expect, before the scheduled date / time. This will ensure upon presentation of your documents to the visa officer at the Austria (VFSGlobal) Visa Application Centre in London, there are no errors (which can lead to additional complications / further requests and ultimately, delays in processing).

UNFORTUNATELY, GIVEN THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTED TO ATTEND IN-PERSON, SUCH APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO HIGHER SCRUTINY THEREFORE WE HIGHLY ADVISE TO USE THE GLOBAL VISAS REVIEW ONLY SERVICE.

Review document list below, select visa type (see 'PROCESSING TIMES / FEES' below) and complete request form / payment, if you wish to use our REVIEW ONLY SERVICE.

Prepare documentation and REVIEW APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY. Please do be mindful of originals, and again if you wish to use our review only service, provide our team sufficient time for step 3 below.

Access the DRAG N’ DROP email (supported by Dropbox Inc.), where you can securely upload scans of all documentation for our review. This additional email will be sent to you within 1 – 2 business hours of completing the request form. You may also find further information on the DRAG N’ DROP process via the menu above. YOU MUST ALLOW OUR TEAM 1 WORKING DAY TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW PROCESS.

Only once your documents have been reviewed, must you attend your appointment at the scheduled date and time with all originals, to submit your application IN-PERSON to the relevant Consulate / Embassy.

AUSTRIA (SCHENGEN) BUSINESS VISA REQUIREMENTS

CLICK HERE AND/OR TOGGLE BELOW FOR DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

PASSPORT

ORIGINAL passport. This must:

be valid for more than 3 months beyond the validity of the requested visa
have at least two blank visa pages
be signed and issued less than 10 years ago

PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS

Two ORIGINAL recent 45mm x 35mm colour photographs. These must:

be taken within the last month
be taken against a plain light background and printed on photographic paper
show full frontal face, have a neutral expression and your mouth closed
have eyes open and free from reflection or glare from glasses
not have hair in front of face or have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)

DO NOT ATTACH THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE APPLICATION FORM

APPLICATION FORM

Signed, dated and fully completed ORIGINAL application form. Please see attached: Austria – Visa Application Form (SCHENGEN).

When completing the application form please be mindful of the below:

each question header in English is second within the different languages
you only need to complete section / question 31 if you are traveling for business
you only need to complete section / question 32 if you are travelling for business
you must sign at the bottom of the form (below the disclaimer)
you must sign the form in two places, at section / question 37 and at the bottom of the form (below the disclaimer)

THE FORM MUST ALSO BE COMPLETED ONLINE / TYPED IN THE PDF. HANDWRITTEN FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

Signed and completed ORIGINAL letter of support from your home employer. This must be signed by a member of your HR, or a member of your management team. If the latter, this person must be at least a manager grade and/or at least the same grade as yourself, and must be aware of your trip.

Please see template attached: Austria – Business support letter. Alternatively, the letter must include the following information:

Addressed to the “Embassy of Austria in London”
Letter needs to be on home employer headed paper
Letter need to be signed by authorised signatory of the home employer
Purpose of visit
People / places and organisation to be visited, with contact phone numbers
Applicant’s name and nationality
Start date of employment, job title and annual salary
Passport number and DOB
Start & Expiry date of the passport
Dates of travel to Austria
Validity of visa applied for
A guarantee to meet maintenance expenses
Medical insurance undertaking (if applicable)

THE LETTER MUST BE ISSUED MUST BE ISSUED WITHIN THE LAST 10 DAYS OF THE DATE OF SUBMISSION / APPOINTMENT DATE.

INVITATION LETTER

Clear COLOR COPY of signed and completed invite letter from your inviting company.

Please see template attached: Austria – Invite letter. Alternatively, the letter must include the following information:

Embassy of Austria in London”
Letter needs to be on inviting company headed paper and dated within the last month
Letter need to be signed by authorised signatory of the inviting company
Purpose of visit
People / places and organisation to be visited, with contact numbers
Applicant’s name and nationality
Passport number and DOB
Start & Expiry date of the passport
Dates of travel to Austria
Validity of visa applied for
A guarantee to meet maintenance expenses
Contain the stamp of the inviting company (if applicable)
Medical insurance undertaking (if applicable)

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Proof of valid travel insurance. It must:

clearly state your name
cover any costs of repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care and/or emergency hospital care or death during your stay in the Schengen territory
be valid for the whole of the Schengen territory and the whole of the stay
have a minimum cover is 30,000 EUR (EHIC cards are not accepted as proof of valid travel health insurance)

A clear COLOR COPY is acceptable.

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Clear COLOR COPY of valid flight booking / travel itinerary mentioning:

applicant’s name
travel dates to Austria

This must show a CONFIRMED round-trip or onward travel. If the latter, the traveler must also provide all documentation / immigration approvals (if applicable) for the onward travel.

If travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, invoice or payment confirmation is also required.

PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION

Clear COLOR COPY of CONFIRMED accommodation (hotel, apartment, hostel, etc) booking mentioning:

applicant’s name
dates of stay in Austria
accommodation address details

If the applicant’s name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

PROOF OF SUFFICIENT FUNDS

ORIGINAL copies of your last 3 months bank statements, as a proof of sufficient funds. These must:

show a sufficient amount per day of stay, to cover the expenses during your intended stay in Austria and for the return to the UK
show a positive end balance (latest bank statement) dated within the last week of the date of submission / appointment date
clearly state your name and address

BANK STATEMENTS WHICH ARE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET ARE ACCEPTED BUT WHERE POSSIBLE, SHOULD BE STAMPED/CERTIFIED BY THE BANK.

PROOF OF UK RESIDENCE (IMMIGRATION)

Valid proof of UK residence. This must be presented as your valid original UK residency visa in your passport / in the form of a valid ORIGINAL UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card.

This must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area.

PROCESSING TIMES / FEES

All fees are charged per individual traveller. Please click here to see the Global Visas service fees pricing structure, for cancelled cases.

Furthermore, the below quoted Global visas service fees are for REVIEW ONLY.

As a reminder, Consular fees will not be charged and payment must be made by the applicant directly to the Embassy / Consulate. Moreover, Austria consular fees are set in EUR, therefore based on the exchange rate at the time of making the payment, the below consular fees can vary.

Do also be aware that consular fees are non-refundable once the application has been submitted; including if the application is then rejected or if you are issued a different visa validity to that requested.

PLEASE READ: ALL COLLECTION OF GLOBAL VISAS SERVICE FEES ARE SUBJECT TO A 1.5% CHARGE (EUROPEAN CARDS) OR 3% CHARGE (NON-EUROPEAN CARDS) FOR PAYMENTS MADE VIA CREDIT / DEBIT CARD.

TO START THE REQUEST, PLEASE CLICK ON THE SELECT BUTTON, DEPENDING ON WHICH VISA COMBINATION YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR.

VARIED VALIDITY

Global Visas service fees:	£120.00
Consular fees:	£73.10
VFSGlobal service fees:	£36.60

Global Visas service fees:
£120.00

Consular fees:
£73.10

VFSGlobal service fees:
£36.60

VISA TIPS

Be proactive. Review the whole application process and makes notes on anything you require clarity on. By addressing this with your visa agent will make the process easier and more efficient.

Be mindful that each document has its own requirements (i.e. passport validity / photo sizes / form signing / originals / information required for support letters etc). It is important that each requirement is adhered to.

Personal information must be accurate and consistent across all your documentation. Passport information, employment details, travel dates, postal addresses, points of contact etc. You must paint a consistent and accurate picture of your trip.

Always remember timescales. Some documents may take longer to obtain (i.e. documents from abroad / from official govt bodies / may require official certification or legalisation). Taking this into consideration along with processing times is very important.

Taking a practical approach to immigration is very important. Being considerate of consular closures, travel plans, processing times, delivery timeframes, receiving original supporting documents etc. You must be mindful and plan for such considerations.