Austria Visa From India – How to Apply for Austrian Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

Austria is one of the most exciting Schengen countries due to its beautiful cities with impressive architecture. There are plenty of things to do such as sightseeing, exploring the countryside and indulging in traditional food and drink. Whatever you do there, you will have a fabulous time! In this article, learn more about how to apply for an Austria visa from the Philippines, Austria visa appointment booking, processing time at the Austria visa application centre, flight itinerary for an Austria visa, hotel bookings for an Austria visa, Schengen travel insurance for an Austria visa application, and Austria visa application process in the Philippines.

Pixabay

Austria Schengen Visas

In 2019, there were a total of 323,262 visa applications for Austria. 16,775 were not issued. The Austrian Embassy in Manila processed 4,757 applications and rejected 324.

Applying for a Schengen Visa from the Philippines

Your nationality will determine whether you need to apply for a visa to be able to visit Austria. Some nationalities do not require a visa. They are:

If you are from the Philippines, you do need a visa to be able to enter and stay in Austria.

Visa applications are processed by the Austrian Embassy in Manila, however, you will submit your application to VFS Global in Manila or Cebu.

Types of Schengen visas offered at VFS Global/the Austrian Embassy in Manila

There are 3 different visas you can apply for. The one you need will depend on why you are going to Austria.

1. Visa C (short-stay visa) – this visa is for tourism, business or visiting purposes for up to 90 days
2. Visa A (airport transit visa) – this visa is for people who are catching a connecting flight in the Philippines en-route to a different destination. This visa does not permit you to leave the international zone of the airport
3. D Visa (national visa) – this visa allows holders to stay in Austria for 91 days up to 6 months for longer visits, for collection of a residence permit or to apply for a job-seeker visa. It is issued as single or multiple entry which means you can enter Austria more than once while the visa is valid

More information about visas for working or studying in Austria can be found on the embassy’s website.

How Can I Apply for a Schengen Visa from VFS Global in the Philippines?

As mentioned above, you will submit your visa application to VFS Global. You can apply up to 6 months prior and no later than 15 days prior to your trip. If you leave it too late, your application may not be processed in time.

To apply for your visa, simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the visa type

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on: “Start now” under “Apply for a visa”:

Under “step 1 – identify visa type”, click on the link:

Then, select the visa type and read the information presented to find out whether this is the right visa for you:

Step 2: Begin your application

Click on the link to download the application form:

Complete the application form and print it because you will need to take it to the visa application center.

Step 3: Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application centre 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!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”
2. Scroll down to Step 3 – book an appointment and click on the link
3. Click on “Let’s get started”
4. Create a new account if you don’t already have one
5. Log in and make an appointment on a day that’s convenient for you

Step 4: Pay your fees

You will pay the visa fee when you submit your documents at the visa application center. These fees are non-refundable even if your application is refused. You can pay in cash only in the local currency.

Further information about fees for other types of visa can be found on VFS Global’s website.

Step 5: Visa a visa application center

There are a few things to be aware of when you visit the visa application center to submit your application:

1. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment
2. You cannot send someone in your place, you must attend in person
3. Take your printed copy of the visa application form
4. Take your passport or travel document with at least 2 blank pages
5. Take all supporting documents (see below)
6. You will provide biometric data

When you attend your appointment, you may also be asked questions regarding your application.

Typical questions include:

1. What are you planning on doing in Austria?
2. Are you married?
3. Are you traveling with anyone else?
4. How will you pay for your trip?

All you need to do is to answer the questions honestly and be clear!

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

Documents required for a visa

There are a number of documents that you need to provide when you submit your application. There is a document checklist on the embassy’s website that you can download. Please take the time to know what is required before you get to the visa application center because if you fail to provide everything, your application could be refused.

You should also prepare photocopies as well as providing the original documents, so don’t forget to do that too!

Documents include:

1. Application form
2. Passport photographs
   
3. Passport – valid for at least 3 months after the end date of your trip
4. Copy of passport data page
5. Alien Certificate of Registration and card and re-entry permit – if you are a non-Filipino applicant
6. Previous Schengen visa (if applicable)
7. Itinerary in Austria with days and dates of stay
8. Flight reservation
9. All risk travel insurance with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000
   
10. Proof of accommodation – hotel reservation or proof of private accommodation
11. Proof of transportation – train and/or bus reservations
12. Proof of occupation – certificate of employment, registration of business and/or income tax return, financial statements, proof of enrolment and certificate of leave of absence
13. Proof of financial means – bank statements for the last three months
    
14. Marriage certificate
15. Birth certificate
16. Proof of legal guardianship, parental consent (for minors)
17. Proof of ties in the Philippines – economic or family ties

Documents required are different for each type of visa, so it’s very important to do your research before you submit your application. All the information regarding this can be found on the embassy or VFS Global’s website.

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 6: Track your application

You will receive an email when a decision has been made. You are also able to get more detailed tracking information by SMS.

Step 7: Collect your passport

You can either pick up your passport from VFS Global or arrange for it to be returned via courier. Take a look at VFS Global’s website if you would like this service. If you are collecting your passport in person, remember to take the receipt you would have been given by VFS and a form of ID.

The decision will be either:

1. Approved – your visa will be inside your passport
2. Rejected – this would have been for a specific reason

Common rejection reasons include:

1. Spelling mistakes – check your application a few times before you submit it
2. Missing documents – make sure you know what documents are required for your type of visa and submit everything you need to
3. You applied for the wrong visa – there are several types of visas available and you must apply for the correct one depending on why you are going to Austria, so identify the right one before you apply

How to contact VFS Global:

To apply for an Austrian visa from the Austrian Embassy in Manila, follow these simple steps:

1. Identify your visa type
2. Begin your application
3. Book an appointment
4. Pay your fees
5. Visit a visa application center
6. Track your application
7. Collect your passport

Then, once you have your visa, you won’t have long before your jetting off on your exciting holiday!