Austrian Consulate Los Angeles – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Austria Schengen Visa

A year-round destination, Austria has more to it than schnitzel and strudel! During the winter, thousands head to the beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Alps for skiing and snowboarding. In summer, hiking or cycling the green valleys and wine regions is just as much fun. There is so much to do and see in this stunning Schengen country, you will be sorry if you don’t go and see for yourself! In this article learn more about how to apply for Austria Visa at the Austrian consulate in Los Angeles, California, Austria visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Austrian visa application center and Austrian Visa Application Process at the Los Angeles consulate.

Schengen Visa

In 2017, 304,556 Austrian Schengen visa applications were applied worldwide. This is a relatively low amount when you compare it to other countries. Of these, 4.67% were refused. The Austrian consulate in Los Angeles processed 614 applications and 21 were denied.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

If you are a non-US citizen living permanently in the US and you wish to travel to Austria, you have to apply for a visa. If you happen to hold a B1/B2 type visa, you are unable to apply for a visa at the consulate of Austria. Instead, you need to apply in the country of your residence. You have to make sure you apply at the right Austrian embassy and consulate.

The Consulate General of Austria in Los Angeles has their own jurisdiction, so if you live in the following areas, you are free to submit your visa application to this consulate:

– Alaska

– Arizona

– California

– Colorado

– Hawaii

– Idaho

– Montana

– Nebraska

– Nevada

– New Mexico

– North Dakota

– Oregon

– South Dakota

– Utah

– Washington

– Wyoming

– US Pacific Islands

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Consulate General of Austria in Los Angeles

It depends on how long you are planning on going to Austria for as to which type of visa you apply for. There are two types of visa:

1. Schengen visa – up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
2. National visa – over 90 days up to 6 months

You must be sure of the one you need before you submit your application. The visas available from the Consulate General of Austria in Los Angeles are for the following purposes:

1. Schengen visa – tourism, business, visiting family or friends
2. National visa – study, business, and employment purposes over 90 days

Please note, if you are planning to visit Austria to live to undertake employment or study etc., for longer than 90 days, you may also require a residence permit.

Visas are usually issued as:  

1. Single entry – Maximum of 1 entry
2. Double entry – Maximum of 2 entries
3. Multiple entry – Unlimited entries

Schengen Visa Application Process at the Consulate General of Austria in Los Angeles

Once you know which visa you need, it’s time to apply. It’s a simple and stress-free process, but you need to make sure you leave enough time for your application to be processed before your trip. The consulate of Austria takes around 15 days to process applications, but it could take as much as 30 days. The ideal time to apply is from 2 weeks up to 12 weeks ahead of schedule. The earlier the better.

There are a series of steps that will help you along the way, but please check the Austrian consulate’s website before you start in order to find out the necessary requirements for the type of visa you are applying for.

Step 1: Make your appointment online

The first step is to make an appointment by using the consulate’s online booking system. Go to their website, scroll down, and click on: “Appointments”:

On the next screen, choose “Visa and Residence Permits” from the drop-down box and click: “Next”:

Next, choose the number of persons from the drop-down box:

On the next screen, you will be presented with information for visa and residence permits. If you are satisfied with this, click on: “Next”:

Then, you will be able to make an appointment on a day and time which is convenient for you.

Once you have made your appointment, you will need to download and print the application form for your visa. You can find this on the consulate’s website.

Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Step 2: Get your paperwork ready

It is up to you to get all the necessary paperwork ready for submission to the consulate, so it’s a good idea to check the requirements for the type of visa you are applying for. The consulate will not accept incomplete applications. In addition, any foreign documents must be officially translated into English or German.

You need to provide original documents as well as photocopies, so please don’t forget to do this. Required documents for your visa application include:

1) Valid and signed passport – issued within the last 10 years and valid for 3 months after the departure date from the Schengen area, and with 2 free pages. Plus, a copy of your passport’s data page and previous Schengen visas (if applicable)

– Please note: If your passport is older than 10 years and it has been extended for a period exceeding 10 years, it is not acceptable.

2) 2 recent passport-sized photos – see the consulate’s website for international standards required

3) Visa application form – completed and signed

4) Valid permanent US resident card or multiple-entry visa to the US (if applicable) plus a copy

5) Return flight reservations, other transport tickets (rail/bus/boat) and/or car rental confirmation (if applicable)

6) Proof of travel medical insurance for the Schengen area – €30,000 minimum cover

7) Proof of accommodation – hotel reservation for the entire stay or invitation letter from the host, host’s lease agreement, passport, and certificate of registration

8) Proof of employment – letter from employer confirming details of employment and leave of absence

9) Proof of sufficient funds – 3 x bank statements and/or payslips or financial responsibly declaration, sponsorship letter, a copy of parent/sponsor’s passport

10) Birth certificate, declaration of consent, copy parent’s passport, and flight details and copy passport of the person traveling with the minor (Minors)

11) Proof of current address – driver’s license or utility bill

12) Pre-paid, self-addressed and trackable envelope for mailing passports.

13) Employer’s letter stating the reason for trip, position, and length of employment or business registration if self-employed

14) Invitation letter confirming the business trip, responsibilities, and schedule or invitation to conference and proof registration

15) Proof of work permit

16) University letter of enrolment and acceptance letter

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3: Submit your application  

The consulate of Austria in Los Angeles will not accept applications sent by mail, you must appear in person. On the day of your appointment, do not be late for it. Arriving early will give you time to prepare yourself before the interview. It is vitally important not to forget any documents because the consulate cannot and will not process your application if there are any documents missing. It’s also a good idea to dress the part. Even if you do not think this to be important – it is! It shows you are serious about wanting to get a visa for Austria.

When the interview starts, you may be asked additional questions so the staff can confirm what you have stated in your application. Don’t worry if this happens, just be honest and provide sufficient answers. Typical visa interview questions include:

1. Are you traveling with someone else to the Schengen area?
2. Can you show me your bank statement?
3. Why do you need a 3-month visa? Can you take a shorter trip?
4. Do you have enough travel insurance?
5. Do you pay income tax?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

You must pay the correct fee for your visa too. You can pay by exact cash, cashier’s check or money order payable to the Austrian Consulate General. This is a non-refundable fee, even if your application is denied.

Schengen Visa Fee

If this is your first time applying for a Schengen visa, you will need to have your fingerprints scanned and photograph taken. This biometric data is then stored on the Visa Information Service (VIS) for future use. If you have applied within the last 5 years, this data can be re-used.

Step 4: Receive your visa

You will receive notification when a decision has been made on your visa application. You have two options:

1. You can collect your passport from the consulate. In which case, return to their office during their opening hours OR
2. You can have your passport mailed back to you. If you wish to do this, you must provide a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope when you submit your application. This must be addressed from YOURSELF to YOURSELF. The consulate recommends you use either FedEx or UPS for this service. Please note, that the consulate does and will not accept any responsibility for lost or damaged passports that are sent through the postal system.

Hopefully, you will find your Austrian visa in your passport. However, be aware that applications are rejected for a number of reasons:

1. Staff have failed to collect all the necessary information
2. Purpose of the visit cannot be established
3. Insufficient travel insurance
4. Cannot show hotel bookings
5. Not enough time to process
6. Lack of funds

The visa staff who will be reviewing your documents need all the information about you to make a decision, so make sure you have provided all that is required and/or answered any questions that may be put to you. Make sure you have the required amount of insurance and also prove that you have enough money to pay for the trip. Most importantly, allow plenty of time, before your departure, for your application to be processed.

Contact detail for the Consulate General of Austria in Los Angeles

Address: 11859 Wiltshire Boulevard, Suite 501, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Email: los-angeles-gk@bmeia.gv

Tel: +1 310 444 9310

Fax: +1 310 477 9897

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Important: General inquiries regarding visa issues will not be answered by phone/email. You must check the consulate’s website

Conclusion

There are just 4 easy steps to apply for your Austrian Schengen visa.

1. Make an appointment
2. Get your paperwork ready
3. Submit your application
4. Receive your visa

At the end of step 4, you should have your passport and new Austrian visa in your hand. Then, you can look forward to preparing for your exciting trip to Austria.

At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.

See Also

How To Apply for Austria Schengen Visa at Austrian Consulate in NYC, New York