This article will tell you everything you need to know how to get Austria Schengen visa for US Green card holders if you are from the US. The following article will be very helpful for people from the United States who want to visit Austria and other Schengen country.
A full US Citizen doesn’t need a Schengen visa to visit Austria, but people with a green card will need to get a valid Austria Schengen visa before they can travel. But how do I get one?
It is not so that easy to get Austria Schengen visa. How to get an visa appointment ? What are Austrian visa requirements? Where to apply for Austria Visa ? All these questions will be addressed here for applicants living in the US.
You can use our great Schengen visa consultation service if you are finding difficulties to get Austria Schengen Visa. In the past 8 years, we have helped more than 50,000 people get their visas accepted.
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Can I apply for Austria Schengen visa from US?
Yes. if you are green card holder staying US, then can apply from USA itself for Austria Schengen visa with either with Austrian consulate or a designated visa Centre like VFS service who is taking responsible for your resident jurisdiction.
And no need to go back to your native to country to apply for Austria Schengen Visa.
Is Austria Schengen visa for US Green card holders ?
Yes. As per Schengen Area Free Movement Agreement, Since your nationality (the country you hold a passport with) is more important than the country where you reside. So if your native country does not have a free movement agreement, then you should have Austria Schengen visa before visiting.
For instance, if you are an Indian citizen living in the United States, then you will still need a Austria Schengen visa in order to enter Austria because your nation lacks a bilateral agreement with any of the Schengen states. This applies to (e.g., F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, Green Card holders; etc.) holders.
Do US citizens need a Austrian Schengen visa to visit as a tourist?
No, citizens of the United States are eligible to go to Austria for short-term visits (90 days) without having a Austrian Schengen visa, specifically for purposes such as tourism, business activities, short-term Study purpose such as language courses, participation in sports or cultural events or any short term medical treatment. The duration of such visits should not exceed 90 days.
But if you have planned to stay longer duration more than 90 days, then you need to apply for visa to visit Austria for which you need to visit the consulate or Visa application center like VFS directly.
from 2024 onwards, All US citizens need to sign up for ETIAS, which is an online travel permit to be applied before travelling to Austria (or any other Schengen country) and carry it to Austria with you .
Where to apply for Austria Schengen visa for US Green card holders ?
It can be hard to figure it out how to apply for a Austria Schengen visa for US Green card holders because you may need to visit to several websites to apply. At this moment, the few Austrian Consulates are not issuing the visas. VFS Global is now the only service place where you can get help for your Austrian visa. To finish the visa process, you will need to go to VFS Global Visa Application Center.
Note: Before you filling your visa Application form, you must have a soft copy of the all support documents that you will be sending.
After you are done with the filling your visa form, you need to pay for it. After that, take a copy of your visa application and you will have to send it to VFSGlobal. They are in charge of Austria visas in the US.
Of course, where you physically apply for your Austria Schengen visa will depend on where you live. There are 10 places in the US where you find VFS Global apply for an Austrian Schengen visa at:
- VFS Global: Apply for Austria Schengen Visa in San Francisco
- VFS Global: Apply for Austria Schengen Visa in Los Angeles
- VFS Global: Apply for Austria Schengen Visa in New York
- VFS Global: Apply for Austria Schengen Visa in Chicago
- VFS Global: Apply for Austria Schengen Visa in Houston
- VFS Global: Apply for Austria Schengen Visa in Miami
The next step is to book your Austria visa appointment with the right jurisdiction.
What are the types of Austria Schengen visa for US green card holders?
- Austria Transit Visa : for applicants who need to transit through one of Austria’s airports to reach the destination country they are visiting outside of the Schengen Area.
- Austria Tourist Visa : for individuals ho has intend to visit Austria for vacation, sightseeing, Then you can get a tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
- Austria Visitor visa : for individuals who has intend to visit Austria to visit friends or family members who live Austria.
- Austria Business visa : If you have planned to any trade fair, meeting clients or engaging in any business related activity, for which you need a business visa.
- Austria Diplomat visa : Who has planned for official visits of national delegations or government officials.
- Austria Medical visa : This visa for those who are seeking some surgery or medical treatment in Austria.
- Austria Student Visa : This is for students who has planned to study at an Austrian educational institution for up to three months.
- Austria visa for Sports, Cultural, Film Crew : If you are planning to visit Austria for sports event or cultural event as a participant or as a audience. As well as you can apply for this type of visa if you have planned for filming a movie.
- Austria Spouse Visa : This type of visa for those who are planning to join their spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit for.
Austria Schengen visa Requirements for US Green Card Holders
1. Austria Visa Application Form
You must decide, which type of Austrian visa you are applying for. Based on that you can download the Austria visa Application form at VFS Global Visa Application Center and fill out with correct details. Note that you should not make any mistakes while filling the form it may lead to your visa rejection.
2. Round Trip Flight Itinerary/Ticket for Your Austrian Schengen visa
Don’t take risk by buying your plane ticket with full payment until your Austrian visa is accepted. Because, there will be many situations where your visa may get denied, that’s why taking fully paid flight ticket is quite unsafe.
Instead of this, we help you to get your flight itinerary. Once your visa is approved, you can book the real flight ticket by making payment.
- Arrival and departure from the Schengen area
- Departure and arrival to the United States of America
You can know more about flight itinerary for Schengen visa.
3. Schengen Travel Insurance for Austria Visa
A certificate from the insurance company that includes the name of the visa applicant, the dates of coverage, the total coverage amount, and the minimum coverage of $50,000 or €30,000. There need to be no insurance deductibles. For the more information about the appropriate insurance, click the link below.
Your insurance must also cover other countries that you plan to visit (if any other) . Know more about insurance for Austria Schengen visa here.
4. Cover Letter for Austria Schengen visa
When you apply for a Austrian visa, you need to include one of the important document which is cover letter that explains why you want to visit a Austria and how you know the person who invited you, what is relationship with invitee..
This letter is sent to the embassy or office of the country you want to visit and includes details about your trip, such as why and when you have planned to visit, as well as any other information that might help your visa application.
A cover letter for a visa application is an important document that can help your case and raise your chances of visa being accepted. This is the first document that the Austria visa officials will read to understand your Austria visa application.
It is also the only place where you can personally talk to the visa consulate and convince them to accept your visa application.
- Document describing the planned program (letter of presentation, reservation confirmation of an organized trip).
- Pre-booked round-trip ticket.
Know more about cover letter for Austria Schengen visa.
5. Visa photographs as per Austria Visa Requirements
Attach a picture to the visa application. Recent colored photograph that is passport-sized, taken in good / light background, with the subject facing forward.
The photograph should not include any dark or reflective glasses or clothes that hides the oval shape of the face. Photographs of parents holding their babies and toddlers are not permitted.
Learn more about the Austria visa photograph Specifications
6. Valid Passport
Should have valid passport which issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages. And Passport should valid for at least 3 months after the date you have planned to leave the Schengen Area or, if you planned to extend your stay, after the date the visa you are applying for expires. Send ALL PAGES of your trip documents, including any pages with visas, entry and exit stamps, or other writing.
If you are not a US citizen, please submit proof of your legal status. This could be a green card, visa, and I94 for F1 visa holders or an endorsed DS2019 for J1 visa holders. The name on the “travel endorsement” is valid for 1 year and cannot expire before the return date to the United States.
If you have an official travel ticket, you must provide a verbal note.
7. Proof of Accommodation
You will have to show the proof that you have a place to stay in Austria. This could be reservations at a hotel or hostel in every city and country on your trip.
If you are planning to stay with someone else like friends or relatives then you will have to show the original Invitation issued by the local police station proceeded by a Citizen or a Legal Resident of Austria needs to be submitted.
This could be a “Attestation d’accueil” (if a private person is staying), a hotel reservation, a proof of ownership of real estate, or a lease agreement.
To know more about proof of accommodation for Austria Schengen Visa
8. Proof of your connection to America
As a green card holder, you will have to show the proof that you live in the area where the Austrian consulate or visa application center is located. State ID, driver’s license, housing agreement, or student ID are all acceptable forms as a proof document.
Along with the I-20 form, you need to submit the proof of your green card that you are legally living in the US and your F1 student visa. People with a B1 or B2 visa cannot apply for a Austrian Schengen visa in the US for this you need to go to your native country to apply for your visa.
9. Proof of Sustenance
After you’ve booked your round trip flight and lodging for the whole trip, you will have to show proof that still you have enough money to cover the whole other things. In order to stay in the Austria or any other Schengen area, you need to show proof of at least USD $115 per person per day.
You need to submit valid bank statement of latest or last 3 months or a credit card statement from the most recent month as a proof. A registration letter from school, the most recent IT return or a letter from the secretary of state, joint bank statements, or a leave letter from your current employer are all acceptable documents to show that you make money or you have enough money.
Some additional document may be needed if you are a minor or dependent
10. Proof of Your Employment
i. If you are employed
- You need employment contract proof
- Latest 6 month bank statement
- Leave permission letter from your employer / company
- ITR (Income Tax Return) proof
ii: If you are Self Employed
- Proof of your business license
- Latest company bank statement
- Company ITR (Income Tax Return) proof.
iii. If you are Unemployed
- Notarized letter from the person you’re economically dependent
- Sponsored person’s valid passport copy
- And their test bank statement.
iv. If you are retired
- Latest last 6 month bank statements
v. For Minors
- Original Birth Certificate
- Austrian Visa Application which should be signed by their parents or guardian.
- If the child is traveling alone: then need permission to travel to Austria that has been certified and signed by both parents or legal guardians
vi. If you are visiting tourism purpose:
vii. If you are traveling to visit Friends or Family:
- Proof that you have relationship with the invitee
- Invitation Letter
- And Few details of Invitee like Ids, name, address, phone number etc.
viii. If you are traveling for business purpose
- Invitation letter from Austrian Company
- Certificate from Your current employer to show that you are traveling to Austria.
- Latest Bank Statement
- Trade License
- Trip Financing Proof
ix. If you are traveling for Medical Treatment
- Local medical report
- A note from a hospital or doctor in Austria about your health,
- Payment receipt of medial bill
- Confirmation Letter for treatment.
- Proof that you have enough money to cover your medical expenses
How to Get Austria Schengen visa for US green card holders?
Here are the things you should know to get your Austrian Schengen Visa:
- Take a decision what type of visa you need
- Gather all necessary documents which is mandatory for Austria Schengen Visa for US green card holders
- Schedule your Austrian Visa Appointment at VFSGlobal Visa Application Center
- Attend the Visa appointment interview at scheduled date and time
- Pay the visa fee
- and wait for the Austria Visa feedback or approval
Who can Apply for Austria Schengen visa in United States ?
- Individuals who hold citizenship in countries other than Austria and who have planned primarily to Spend time in Austria when visiting the Schengen area, namely those traveler’s whose main or exclusive purpose of travel inside Europe is Austria.
- If you have planned to stay is equal time period in both Austria and another Schengen country, then stay in the country you are applying first.
You can get a visa for Austria from the US if:
- If you are belong to a those nation whose citizens need a visa in order to enter the Schengen Area. Legal residents of the United States, such as those holding Green Cards (F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.), are required. As soon as you get back from the Schengen area, your residence permit must still be good for three months.
- Although you are an American citizen, you have been denied from visa-free entry into Austria or any other Schengen country in the past.
Where to book my appointment for Austria Schengen visa ?
You need to Schedule your Austria visa appointment at VFSGlobal. VFS Global is now the only service place where you can get help for your Austrian visa. To finish the visa process, you will need to go to VFS Global Visa Application Center. There are 7 VFS offices in US. You can make your visa appointment online.
How long will it take to get my Austria visa approval ?
US green card holders usually get an Austrian visa within 15 days, but in the certain cases, it can take up to 30 days, especially if you have to send in more additional documents for your visa to be accepted.
And in worst cases, it may take up to 60 days. So that you have apply for your Austria visa before 3 months you leave to Austria.
What happens on the day of the appointment for Austria visa for Green card holders ?
On the day of your Austrian visa appointment, the VFS officials will check your documents thoroughly. If any of them are not right and if you have missed any documents or any other, for example, if you have the wrong type of insurance or a photo that doesn’t meet their standard, then they may ask you to pay some amount to get a new one from their in-house studio or experts.
So it is important that you should not make any mistakes here, so you have the consultation of Schengen experts such as ourselves.
What should I do if my Austria visa is rejected?
Theoretically, It is possible to challenge the decision with the court or the Austrian High Court Justice, if your Austria visa is denied. However, you should actually review your Austria visa refusal letter to determine what went wrong and reapply for a Austria Schengen visa.
Or you can try a new consulate but do note that the black mark will exist on your passport.
What is the fees for a applying for a Austria visa in the United States?
The Austria visa fees for a applying in the United States are:
- Austria Schengen visa application fee for Adults is 80 EUR.
- Austria Schengen visa application fee for kids under 6 years is free.
- Austria Schengen visa application fee for kids aged between 6 to 11 years is 40 EUR.
- Austria Schengen visa application fee for US residents holding a Armenia, Kosovo or Azerbaijan passport is 35 EUR
- Austria Schengen visa application fee for US residents holding a Gambia passport is 120 EUR.
FAQ – Austriavisa for green card holders
How to book an appointment for Austria visa for green card holders?
To make an appointment for a Austria Schengen visa, you will need to determine your jurisdiction. Once you know that, go to the relevant subdomain on the VFS website and book your Austria Schengen Visa Appointment
After that, we will give you an appointment confirmation known as Appointment Request no.
Should you buy Flight & hotel bookings before my visa is approved ?
No. The consulate itself says that you need not buy travel tickets before your visa is approved.
We recommend that you do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been approved. On the other hand, you may provide us with a reservation, a planned travel itinerary
What id the Payment Option for Austria Visa Fee From the United States?
You can pay via:
- Cash
- Certified Check
- Postal Money order