Schengen Visa (Type C, short-stay) — requirements, costs & how to apply

Who is eligible

Costs

Duration & renewal

Initial stay: 3 months.

Documents

• Fully completed and personally signed application form
• Passport photo according to ICAO criteria
• Passport (at least 2 free pages, not older than 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the duration of the applied for visa)
• Recording of biometric data in the form of fingerprints if not collected within the last 59 months
• Copy of the passport data sheet
• Copies of previous Schengen visa
• Proof of the means of transport
• Travel, health and accident insurance (minimum coverage € 30,000, including repatriation for medical reasons) valid for the Schengen area
• Letter of invitation (for visiting trips, informal)
• Eight-digit ID number of the Electronic Declaration of Sponsorship (if proof of sufficient own financial means is not available)
• Certified power of attorney from parents for underage children travelling unaccompanied by parents
• Evidence of the applicant’s economic, family and social roots in their home country (e.g. ownership of property, employment, confirmation of studies, pension entitlement, proof of family ties)

Who can apply

Open to all nationalities.

How to apply

1. Confirm you meet the eligibility above.
2. Gather documents and apply via the official portal: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/entrance-and-residence-in-austria/visa.
3. Typical processing: ~15 days.