Long Stay Austrian Visas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have decided to plan a long stay in Austria, the first step is making sure that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for your visa.

While some people do not need a visa for long-term trips to Austria (EU/EEA/Schengen country citizens specifically), most foreigners actually do.

For example, if you're planning to spend more than 90 days in Austria, for any reason, and are not an EU/EEA/Schengen country citizen, you must apply for a visa.

In this guide, we will look at the visa options available for your longer trip to Austria. Whether you're going to work, study, or join a family member, you'll find the information you need.

Which long stay visa for Austria do you need?

The type of long stay visa you need depends entirely on the purpose of your visit. Are you working? Studying? Something else?

In short, different visas grant you different permissions. For example, one visa could allow you to become a student in Austria while another could allow you to work there.

To stay in Austria for more than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Type D visa, also called a national visa. However, it's important to note that a Type D visa generally only allows you to stay in Austria for 6 months, maximum, and cannot be renewed. However, there are some cases where it can be valid for up to 12 months.

If you want to stay in Austria for longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a residence permit.

General eligibility requirements for Austria long stay visas

When you apply for a long stay visa for Austria, there are a couple of sets of requirements that you will need to meet to be eligible.

The first set of requirements is a general set that applies to everyone. The second set applies to each specific type of visa. A study visa will have different requirements than a work visa, for example.

In order to be eligible to apply, you must meet both the general requirements and the ones specific to the visa that you are going to apply for.

The general requirements are:

• A verifiable and plausible reason to stay in Austria.
• A correctly completed Type D visa application form (this form can be downloaded for free online and is in both German and English).
• A valid passport that meets the following requirements:
• A recent, passport-sized photo that is compliant with ICAO standards.
• Proof of the ability to financially sustain yourself during your long stay in Austria (accommodations, food, travel expenses, etc.).
• Proof of compliant travel insurance at the time of application. In order to be compliant, the policy you carry must:
• A biometric submission (your fingerprints).
• The completed visa application must be submitted within 6 months of your intended arrival to Austria, but no later than 15 days before your trip.
• You must pay the applicable visa fee(s).

Please note: There may be additional general requirements or specific criteria for the line items listed above. Always check official sites like the Austrian Embassy for the most accurate and up-to-date information about visa and entry requirements.

Long stay Austrian visas for working

Because Austria's national visa typically has a 6-month limit, their long stay work visa is temporary.

If you want to work for longer than 6 months in Austria, you will likely need to apply for a residence permit (we will talk more about that later).

This visa allows the following types of workers to apply (under specific criteria):

• Self-employed workers seeking to temporarily work in Austria.
• Employees looking to work temporarily while in Austria.
• Seasonal workers.
• A work activity as a trainee.

To apply for a long stay Austrian visa for temporary work, you must meet all of the general visa requirements, as well as criteria specific to your situation.

There is another type of visa that you can apply for, however. If you are hoping to immigrate to Austria (live there long term), there is a Job Seeker visa that you may qualify for.

This visa allows you to come to Austria to look for work. Once qualifying work has been found, you can then apply for a Red-White-Red Card (which we will discuss in the next section).

Working in Austria for longer than 6 months

If you plan to work in Austria for longer than 6 months, you will likely need to apply for a residence permit.

There are a few different types of permits that you can apply for depending on your unique situation and what your long term plans are. Below, we will go through some of the options available.

Remember, you should always check official sites, such as the Austrian Embassy, for the most accurate, detailed information on visas.

Austria's Red-White-Red Card for long term workers

Austria offers an interesting permit to professionals looking to work in the country for longer than 6 months.

The Red-White-Red Card isn't a visa. Instead, it is a type of residence permit for professionals looking to immigrate to Austria.

This permit allows you to live and work in Austria for 24 months.

In order to qualify for a Red-White-Red Card, you need to fit into a certain category of professionals. If you find yourself in one of the following categories, this might be the appropriate choice for you.

What kinds of professionals can apply for a Red-White-Red Card?

• Highly qualified professionals. Austria uses a point-based system to grade whether or not professionals are considered highly qualified in Austria. Looking at a number of categories like highest education, work experience, and rewards, professionals are awarded points. To be deemed highly qualified, you must have a minimum number of points.
• Skilled workers in shortage occupations. Also, a point-based system, and skilled workers who work in fields where there are current shortages in Austria can apply for a Red-White-Red Card. You must be able to prove your recognized and adequate training/certification in the field that you work in. There are both nationwide and region-wide shortages, and each year, Austria announces which professions are in short supply.
• Self-employed key workers. If you're a self-employed business owner, you may qualify. In this case, you need to be able to transfer a sustained capital of at least €100,000 to your business in Austria, create new jobs/secure existing jobs in Austria, introduce new technologies, or have a significant impact in Austria. Unlike many other Red-White-Red Card qualifiers, there isn't a point-based system linked to the key worker self-employment category.
• Other key workers. This is a broad category that also works on a point-based system. The key here (no pun intended) is that the worker must be within a specific salary bracket. Also, this role must be "unfillable" by a candidate in the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). Key workers can include professional athletes, musicians, etc.

Other types of qualifying work include start-up founders, regular workers in tourism, forestry, or agriculture, and others. Specific details, the most up-to-date requirements, and additional information about each of these categories can be found here.

Long stay Austrian visas for students

Austria is a popular destination for students around the globe. There are a few different types of long stay visas available.

If you're planning to study in Austria for fewer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Type D long stay visa. If you're planning to study in Austria for more than 6 months, instead, you will need to apply for a student residence permit.

Long stay visas to join your family in Austria

If you have Austrian family members or family members legally residing in Austria, you may be able to join them through one of Austria's "family reunification" permits.

If you are a

• Spouse (21 years and older).
• Registered partner (21 years and older).
• Unmarried minor (including adopted children and stepchildren).

You may be able to apply for a family reunification residence permit.

Now, if you are only planning to stay in Austria for 3-6 months, you should instead apply for the appropriate Type D national visa.

If you're immigrating to Austria to join your family member(s) long term (longer than 6 months), then a residence permit will be required.

Depending on your family member's role in Austria, you may qualify for either a Red-White-Red Card Plus, a "Family Member" permit, or a type of "Settlement Permit".

The Red-White-Red Card Plus for family members

If your spouse/partner in Austria is a Red-White-Red card holder or an EU Blue Card holder, you may qualify for a Red-White-Red Card Plus.

These scenarios also may make you eligible:

• Your spouse/partner/parent is a non-Austrian citizen, but they have established long-term residence in Austria.
• Your spouse/partner/parent is a self-employed professional or researcher with a settlement permit

Family member residence permits

If you are the spouse, registered partner, or child of an Austrian citizen, you may be able to apply for Austrian residence.

Dependent family members

While a family member is defined as a spouse, registered partner, or unmarried minor according to Austria's Settlement and Residence Act, there are some circumstances where other dependents can relocate to Austria.

If you are

• A dependent parent
• A life partner
• Another dependent relative

You may be eligible for an Austrian Settlement Permit - Dependent. This permit allows dependents of Austrian residents to reside with them for longer periods.

Other familial cases

There are other circumstances where family members (including spouses and partners) can join their family members in Austria. The Austrian Embassy has detailed, up-to-date information about who is eligible and how you can apply.

In general, always get actionable information about visas from official sites, like Embassy sites.