Do I need a Visa?
VISA INFORMATION SERVICE / CALL-CENTER
 To faciliate timely and accurate dissemination of information to the public regarding applying for a visa, the Embassy of Austria in Washington, D.C., has installed a Visa Information Service. Thus applicants have the possibility to call the hotline in order to obtain information regarding applying for entry and residence permits.
The benefits of the new service are that the applicant:
- may speak to an operator who will be able to answer questions about visa requirements and application procedures
- may prepare and plan ahead for their application.
(US: 202 - 629 - 9344, Austria: +43 / 1 / 22 97 210)
Please provide a Visa or Master Card for a fee of EUR 12.73. After paying this fee the caller will be connected to an operator who provides all information regarding the requirements for a successful visa application.
Spoken languages: German and English
Operating hours: Monday through Friday 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. EST
Further information may also be obtained at the Ministry of Foreign and International Affairs.
Please note that the Embassy does not attend to any direct calls related to visa matters.
The following overview should give you an idea whether you will need an entry permit (visa) or a residence permit to enter Austria. U.S. citizens do not need an entry permit (visa) to stay in Austria as either tourists or on a business trip for a period of up to three months. (If you enter Austria under the Visa Waiver Program, you are not allowed to take up any employment there.)
The following countries DO NOT need a visa:
A Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia
B Bahamas (Commonwealth of), Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria
C Canada, Chile, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Croatia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic
D Denmark
E El Salvador, Estonia
F Finland, France
G Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala
H Honduras, Hongkong, Hungary
I Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy
J Japan
K Korea
L Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithunia, Luxemburg
M Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexiko, Monaco
N The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway
P Panama, Praguay, Poland, Portugal
R Republic of , Romania
S San Marino, Seychellen (Republic of), Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Kitts & Nevis (Federation of), Sweden, Switzerland
U United Nations, United States, Uruguay
V Venezuela.
If you plan to take up employment in Austria, even if it is just a temporary or short-term one, please make sure that you obtain in advance all the necessary work authorization papers and (if you are not self-employed) a letter from your employer. Without proper papers, neither a visa nor a residence permit will be issued.
A) Entry Permit (Visa)
An entry permit (visa) is issued to individuals who plan to go to Austria on a temporary basis. The stay must not exceed six months (in most cases) and you do not intend to take up any employment in Austria. An entry permit is, in general, not a work authorization. However, starting January 1, 2006, some exceptions to this rule--mainly concerning certain temporary job assignments--come into effect.
If you answer yes to one of the following questions, you will most likely need an entry permit (visa) to enter Austria.
- Do you pass through Austria in (airport) transit?
- Do you intend to temporarily visit Austria as a tourist or to see friends or relatives who live in Austria?
- Are you on a (short-term) business trip to Austria?
- Will you take part in a conference or a seminar in Austria?
- Will you attend a German language course (up to six months)?
- Do you plan to study or to do an internship in Austria for up to six months?
- Will you be working as a guest professor at an Austrian university for one semester?
B) Residence Permit
A residence permit is issued to foreign nationals who plan to stay in Austria for more than six months.
If you answer yes to one of the following questions, you will most likely need a residence permit in order to both come to and stay in Austria.
- Do you plan to move to Austria permanently because you are retiring or you are married to an Austrian citizen?
- Will you be transferred to your company's office in Austria for more than six months?
- Do you plan to study at a university/college or to attend school (grade 1-12) in Austria fora period exceeding six months?
- Will you be working as a researcher (as stipulated by Austria's "Alien Employment Act") at an Austrian university for more than six months?
- Do you plan to take up a one-year-job as an "au-pair" in Austria?
Embassy of Austria
Consular Section
3524 International Court, NW
Washington, D.C., 20008
Consulate Office Hours:
Monday through Friday,10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(except Austrian and U.S. holidays )
E-mail:
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Tel.: +1-202-895 6700
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