VISA Requirements for Austria

Holders of British Passports (European Union) do not need a visa for Austria. However, holders of the following British Passports will have to apply for a visa:

• British Subject (without the right of abode in the UK)
• British Dependent Territories
• British Overseas Citizens
• British Protected Persons


• If you are from one of the following countries you MUST apply for a visa to visit Austria: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago.
• A Schengen Visa is the most popular visa that persons from this region apply for. It allows for entry into any or all of the fourteen (14) Schengen member states (listed below) and can be issued from any of the consulates/embassies of the various states that you have access to.

The following documents are required:

• Completed application form, duly signed by the applicant(s). You must answer all the questions, otherwise your application will not be accepted. In some cases more than one application form may have to be submitted. Minors must submit a letter from school, college, university and/or legal guardian. Furthermore both parents must sign the form. If one parent is unable to sign the form, he/she must submit a letter of agreement together with a copy of his/her passport.
• A full national passport or official travel document valid for more than 3 months beyond the validity of the requested visa, with a blank visa page to affix the visa sticker.
• 2 passport-size photos (do not staple or damage the photo, background has to be light and plain)
• Proof of why you want to visit Austria. This should be ONE of the following:
1. Original letter of invitation (= Verpflichtungserklärung) legalised by a notary public, solicitor, or other competent authority and a copy of the Austrian passport (or national passport containing a valid Austrian residence permit) and proof of sufficient income/funds of the host: i.e. last bank statement/last pay slip, together with tenancy agreement or police registration (= Meldezettel).
   
   OR
   
2. Original letter from your Austrian business partner. The letter must specify that the company will be financially responsible for you during your stay in Austria including copy of the company registration certificate (= Firmenbuchauszug)
   
   OR
   
3. Confirmed hotel reservation or confirmation of tour. Please note bookings from www.booking.com or www.venere.com or www.hostelworld.com or www.hostelbookers.com are not accepted without confirmation of payment for the whole duration of your reservation.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay (e.g. recent bank statement, travellers cheques) with the applicant's name, amounting to a minimum of GBP 30.00 day/person. Please note that cash and credit card statements are not acceptable proof.
• Proof of health insurance (travel insurance) - minimum of medical coverage GBP 15,000 comprehensive accident and medical insurance, valid for all Schengen countries, validity must exceed validity of the visa, insurance company must be based in Austria or other EU member states, e.g. insurances can be bought from post offices, bank, travel agencies or BUPA-insurances! Please make sure that the document includes the following information: name of applicant, duration of the insurance, cover details (e.g. winter sport cover). Documents not in English or German require certified translation. A policy number only is not sufficient!
• Evidence of occupation/student status: Proof of your current occupation. This could be a recent, original letter of continued employment from your employer stating the position and income; if you are self-employed: a letter from your solicitor, accountant or the Chamber of Commerce including income statement; if you are a student, you will need a letter from the school, college/university confirming your status/attendance. Pay slips and work contracts are not accepted.
• Transport documentation: airline ticket or email confirmation of airline or rail ticket if you are driving: ferry confirmation, registration document, proof of legal ownership of vehicle, insurance papers (Green Card, which provides additional proof that the minimum legal third party cover is held. For further advice please contact your insurance company), if applicable: export license.

• A proof of reservation is needed, but a ticket should not be bought until a visa is guaranteed or issued.
• A Paid registration to conference (meaning an original proof of purchase/receipt) is acceptable proof of invitation.

All supporting documents must be submitted together and in duplicate - in ORIGINAL and PHOTOCOPY! Ensure all documents requested are provided. Incomplete applications will not be dealt with: Applicants will need to book another appointment to provide the lacking documents.

Thankfully, most Schengen states such as Austria operate at least a consulate in most Caribbean territories and as such applying through the consulate or embassy of these States is very easy.

The Schengen states are as follows: Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Iceland , Italy , Luxembourg , The Netherlands , Norway , Portugal , Spain , Sweden.

The requirements above are applicable to all embassies/consulates.

World Embassys

The link above is a very good resource for finding the nearest embassy for a Schengen state near to you in order to make your application.