You might need an Austrian student visa and a student residence permit to study in Austria as an international student. To guide you through the process, documents, and cost, we’ve created an easy-to-follow Austria student visa checklist.

Do I need a visa to study in Austria?

EU/EEA or Switzerland students

If you’re a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you don’t need a student visa to study in Austria. If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months, you must request confirmation of registration (Anmeldebescheinigung) within 4 months. Non-compliance with this regulation can lead to a fine of up to €250!

Non-EU/EEA students

Non-EU/EEA students must apply for a visa to study in Austria. There’re 2 types of Austrian student visas:

1. Visa D (National visa for study purposes) allows you to study in Austria for up to 6 months or more. If your course is longer than 6 months, you need an approved Austrian student residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student) before you can apply for a student visa.

2. Visa C (Schengen visa for short-term study purposes) allows students to stay in Austria for up to 90 days for short-term study programs, such as language courses or summer schools.

Requirements for student visa in Austria

The Austrian study visa requirements include the following:

• An approved Austrian student residence permit, if applicable
• Visa C or Visa D application form
• Passport with at least 2 blank pages
• Passport-size picture of 3.5 x 4.5 cm
• Confirmation letter from an Austrian higher education institution
• Proof of sufficient funds (minimum €613.16 per month)
• Rental agreement (Wohnrechtsvereinbarung) or booking confirmation of stay
• Travel health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 in Austria
• Your travel ticket reservation
• Proof of connections to your homeland (e.g., family ties).
• Certificate of no criminal record from your country of residence

Don't forget to get all your documents translated into German and legalised before submission.

Of all the requirements, obtaining a signed rental agreement is the hardest from abroad. To help you with such situations, HousingAnywhere enables you to safely search for budget-friendly student rooms in Vienna or other Austrian cities.

Applying for an Austrian student residence permit

Most non-EU students need to apply for an Austrian student residence permit before travelling to Austria. Exceptions include students with visa-free entry.

Since the processing time for the permit and visa is 3 months each, apply for the student residence permit at least 6 months before travelling to Austria. Bring the following documents during your appointment at the local embassy or consulate:

• Application form
• Valid passport
• Birth certificate.
• A passport-size picture of 3.5 x 4.5 cm
• Acceptance letter from an Austrian higher education institution
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of accommodation in Austria
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Certificate of no criminal record from your country of residence

The cost for an Austrian residence permit application is €120. Once approved, you can apply for the student visa and collect the actual permit in Austria after your arrival.

How much bank balance is required for an Austria student visa

For full-time students, the bank balance required for an Austrian student visa is a minimum of €7,357.92 for under 24-year-olds and a minimum of €13,323.12 for students 24 and above.

Here’s the breakdown.

To meet the financial requirements for studying in Austria, students must show proof of funds up to 1 year in advance. In 2023, students under 24 years old must demonstrate a minimum of €613.16 per month, while students 24 years and older need to show at least €1,110.26 per month.

If the monthly accommodation cost exceeds €372.91, you must provide additional funds to cover the difference.

Let's say you’re a 23-year-old student with a monthly stipend of €600 and a monthly rent of €500 for your dorm room. Your finances per month are within the required minimum monthly amount of €613.16. The monthly accommodation cost exceeds the provided rate of €372.91 by €127.09. Therefore, you must show evidence of having at least €740.25 per month (€613.16 + €127.09) to meet the financial requirements.

To prove sufficient funds for studying in Austria, you can provide proof of scholarships/grants, savings accounts or bank deposits under your name, or written declarations of financial support.

How to apply for an Austria student visa

After you’ve received your enrolment certificate from a state-accredited Austrian university, you can start your student visa application. Start the application process at least 6 months before your departure if you need both a student residence permit and a visa.

Here’s how you apply for an Austrian student visa:

1. Gather the necessary documents and get them translated into German and legalized.
2. Apply for a student residence permit at your local Austrian embassy or consulate, if applicable.
3. Submit your visa application online and schedule a visa appointment.
4. Attend your appointment and visa interview.
5. Pay the visa fee.

Austrian student visa processing time

The processing time for an Austrian student visa is typically around 15 working days, but it may be extended to 30 to 60 working days if additional documentation is required. Processing times vary based on the specific embassy or consulate and time of year.

Student visa fees in Austria

The application fee for a student visa in Austria varies based on the visa type and your country of origin. The general fees for the main types of student visas in Austria are as follows:

• Visa D: €120
• Visa C: €80

Additional fees may also apply for other services, such as courier delivery of documents or expedited processing.

If your application for a student visa in Austria gets denied

If your application for a student visa in Austria is rejected, you can seek clarification from the embassy or consulate. Understanding the reasons for the denial will help determine whether you can appeal or reapply:

• Appealing the decision. You’ll have to submit a written appeal to the embassy or consulate that has denied your student visa application. Your appeal should clearly explain why the decision was incorrect or unfair, supported with any additional documents. The period for submitting appeals is usually within 4 weeks of the denial.

• Reapplying for your student visa. If missing or incomplete documentation is the reason for your visa rejection, you can reapply for your student visa. You’ll have to pay the fee again for a new application.

If you're pressed for time, reapplying can often be quicker than appealing the decision.

Now that you know how to apply for an Austrian student visa, it’s time to start thinking about your relocation checklist for a stress-free move.

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