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

Austria is one of 26 Schengen countries located within Europe. It’s a great destination to visit any time of the year. There are beautiful cities like Vienna and Innsbruck – perfect for exploring – and mountain regions if you fancy skiing or snowboarding. In this article, learn more about how to apply for an Austrian visa from Nigeria, Austria visa appointment booking, processing time at the Austria visa application centre, flight itinerary for an Austrian visa, hotel bookings for an Austria visa, Schengen travel insurance for an Austria visa application, and Austria visa application process in Nigeria.

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Austria Schengen Visas

In 2019, there were 323, 262 Austrian visa applications in total and 16,775 of these were rejected. The Austrian Embassy in Nigeria received 2,281 applications and rejected 1,058.

Applying for an Austrian Schengen Visa from Nigeria

If you are a citizen of Nigeria, you will need to apply for a visa to be able to enter and stay in Austria.

Visa applications must be submitted to VFS Global in Abuja and Lagos. The Austrian Embassy in Abuja makes the final decision about your visa application.

Applications have to be submitted at least 15 calendar days before the date of departure to Austria.

As a rule, the processing time of a visa should not exceed 15 calendar days. If further checks are necessary, the processing time may increase to 45 calendar days.

Types of Schengen visas offered at VFS Global in Nigeria

There are different types of visas available and the one you need to apply for depends on the reason you are traveling to Austria.

1. Visa C (short-stay) – The Schengen visa C is intended for touristic, business or visiting purposes (without gainful employment) for a maximum stay of 90 days per 180 days
2. Visa A (airport transit visa) – Nationals of Nigeria require this type of visa if they are transiting through an airport in Austria, even if they are not leaving the international zone of the airport
3. Visa D (national visa) – Visa D allows holders to stay for 91 days to 6 months in Austria and can be issued for one or more entries

How Can I Apply for an Austrian Schengen Visa from VFS Global in Nigeria?

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

On the next page, you will see that there are several steps you need to follow when you apply for a visa.

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

Step 1 – Identify visa type

The first thing you’ll need to do is to make sure the visa you are applying for is the correct one. Click on “visa type”:

Choose “short-stay visa” from the drop-down box and you can see everything about this type of visa such as documents required, processing times etc. Make sure you read this information carefully before you proceed.

Step 2 – Begin your application

When you are ready to apply, download your visa application form. Click on the link:

You will be directed to the website of the Federal Ministry of Austria where you can download the form.

Remember to complete and print the form, and bring it with you to the visa application centre for submission.

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 go to “step 3 – book an appointment”
2. Read the information about booking appointments
3. Click on the link to make an appointment
4. Register as a new user
5. Log into your account and make a suitable appointment day and time at the office in Lagos OR Abuja

Step 4 – Pay your fees

The consular fees for your visa are payable by debit card in Naira at the counter in the application center in Lagos or Abuja. Due to currency exchanges, the fee can change without notice. The VFS service charge is paid when you book your appointment. Both visa and service fees are non-refundable.

Step 5 – Visit a visa application center

You must submit your visa application to VFS Global in person.

There are a few things you need to do:

1. Take a printed copy of your visa application
2. Take your passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both side
3. Bring all supporting documentation (originals and copies)
4. Provide your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information collection. If you do not provide this, your visa application will not be processed

You may also be asked questions about your trip. If this happens, simply answer honestly. Example questions include:

1. Is this your first trip to Austria?
2. What are you going to do in Austria?
3. How much do you earn?
4. How will you pay for your trip?

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

Step 6 – Track your application

To track the status of your application, go to “step 6 – track your application” and click on the link.

Key in your reference number and last name.

Step 7 – Collect your passport

When a decision has been returned from the embassy to VFS Global, you will receive an email and you can pick up your documents from the visa application center. You can also choose an additional courier service that will return your passport and visa to your home. This costs N5,000.

If you collect your documents in person, take the receipt issued by VFS Global and your ID.

In some cases, visa applications get rejected. If this happens, you will be able to find out the reason why. Reasons for a rejected application include:

1. Not enough supporting information – you must provide the correct supporting documents to be submitted to VFS Global. Check the requirements before applying
2. Passport is out of date – your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of your trip. If not, get a new one before applying for your visa
3. Not enough funds – if the embassy feels that you cannot afford your trip, then they can reject your application. Make sure you provide bank statements to prove that you can afford it

Documents Required

You will need to gather specific documents which you will need to submit to VFS Global along with your application form. Check what documents are required before attending your appointment. If you fail to submit 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.  A fully completed and personally signed application form
2. Passport photo according to photograph specifications  (colour, 35×45 mm)
3. Passport (at least 2 free pages, not older than 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the duration of the visa)
4. Copy of the passport data sheet
   
5. Copies of previous Schengen visa
6. Proof of the means of transport – round trip airline ticket reservation
7. For travel by car: Driving licence, green insurance card, registration certificate
8. Travel, health and accident insurance (minimum coverage € 30,000, including repatriation for medical reasons) valid for the Schengen area
9. For visiting trips, an invitation letter stating name, address, relationship to host and duration of stay
10. Proof of financial means  – if the applicant cannot provide proof of sufficient own financial means: eight-digit ID number of the Electronic Declaration of Sponsorship (the inviter can submit an electronic declaration of sponsorship to the police department locally responsible for his/her place of residence
11. Certified power of attorney from parents for underage children traveling unaccompanied by parents
12. Evidence of the applicant’s economic, family and social roots in his or her home country (e.g. ownership of property in the country of origin, employment, confirmation of studies, pension entitlement, proof of family ties)
13. Business trips: Invitation signed by the inviting Austrian company stating the purpose of the trip, dates of travel, name and date of birth as well as the passport number of the person invited; Proof of employment (if required); For self-employed people: Excerpt from the company register or similar document
14. Airport transit: Copy of visa for the onward journey (if required) &  copy of flight tickets

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

COVID REGULATIONS

Entry Requirements

All travellers need to show either proof of full vaccination OR proof of past infection OR a negative COVID test.

Negative COVID test – you need to show a PCR test no older than 72 hours OR an antigen test no older than 48 hours. Travelers who show a negative test need to register in advance to obtain pre-travel clearance

Vaccine Certificate – travelers who can show proof of full vaccination or past infection do not need to register for pre-travel clearance. The following vaccines (including mix-and-match vaccines) are recognised: BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria and Covishield), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Sinovac, and Sinopharm. You are considered vaccinated:

1. if you have received both doses of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria or Covishield), BioNtech/Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, or Sinovac; OR
2. starting on the 22nd day after your one Johnson & Johnson dose; OR
3. if you have had a COVID infection and have received one vaccination dose (proof of past infection required)

Proof of past infection –  you can enter Austria for 180 days after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Proof of neutralising antibodies is valid for 90 days from the test date.

Quarantine rules

All travelers must go into a ten-day (home) quarantine upon arrival in Austria. Quarantine can be ended early by taking a PCR or antigen test on day five of the quarantine or later. Travelers who can show proof of full vaccination or past infection do not need to self-isolate.

How to contact VFS Global in Nigeria

Abuja

Address: Visa Application Centre, Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot 1083, Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria

Hours:

Email: Info.austriang@vfshelpline.com

Tel: 2348150188800

Conclusion

To apply for an Austria visa from the Embassy of Austria in Nigeria, follow these simple steps:

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

Next stop – 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

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Apply for Netherlands Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Iceland Schengen Visa From Nigeria

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Apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa From Nigeria

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