Entry

Exchange students with citizenship of non-EU/EEA countries (“third country nationals”) usually need a valid visa for entry and/or residence in Austria (exceptions depend on the nationality of the student). Please contact the Austrian Embassy in the country you live in for entrance and residence regulations prior to your departure.

• For a stay up to 3 months you need to apply for a travel visa C
• For a stay up to 6 month you need to apply for a travel visa D or a residence and travel visa D+C
• For more than 6 month you need to apply for a residence permit for study purposes (Aufenthaltsbewilligung “Studierender”) for residence in Austria.

In general, you have to apply at the competent Austrian diplomatic authority (Embassy, Consulate-General) abroad before leaving for Austria. The decision has to be awaited in one’s home country.

For the application the following documents are necessary (originals and copies):

• fully completed and signed application form (available from the Austrian diplomatic authorities)
• recent colour photograph (size between 3,5 x 4,5 to 4,0 x 5,0cm)
• valid passport (validity has to cover the whole duration of the stay)
• birth certificate (for residence permits)
• Notification of admission (Zulassungsbescheid, Aufnahmebestätigung) of the host university
• Proof of financial means to finance one’s stay (for students up to 24 years at least EUR 426.57 per month, for older students EUR 772.40 per month) has to be offered to the diplomatic authority. If the accommodation costs exceed € 239,15/month or if there are further expenses, you have to proof the availability of additional funds.
• Proof of health insurance (the insurance has to pay out the benefits in Austria; the insurance sum has to reach approximately € 30.000.) . As soon as you start your studies at the host university, you can also buy an Austrian student insurance.
• police clearance (Strafregisterauszug) - where available - the submission of this document is not obligatory, but nevertheless the Austrian authority is allowed to ask for it - we recommend to submit this document to avoid delay of processing the application.
• Proof of accommodation in Austria (e.g. ÖAD housing confirmation, lease agreement, etc)
• In case of applying for an extension of the permit: proof of successful study in the past academic year (8 WS/16 ECTS credits per academic year)
• The Embassy/Consulate-General may require additional documents and/or certified translations

Students who are allowed to enter Austria without a visa nevertheless must apply for a visa or residence permit for study purposes if they intend to stay in Austria longer than their visa-free status permits.

Caution: Visa cannot be granted or extended in Austria!

Students who are allowed to enter Austria without a visa can apply for the residence permit during their visa-free stay in Austria.

Caution: Please note that the application does not permit you to stay longer than your visa-free stay. It may happen that such students would have to leave the country again, should the Austrian authority delay the decision about the residence permit for study purposes. Therefore, we strongly advise all students to apply for the residence permit in their respective home country and to await the decision abroad.

Detailed information can also be found here:
http://www.oead.ac.at/%5Fenglish/austria/entry/
http://www.bmi.gv.at/niederlassung/
http://www.wien.gv.at/english/administration/civilstatus/index.html

Registration at „Magistratisches Bezirksamt“

Once in Austria you have to register at the Municipal Department („Meldeamt“) within 3 days of arrival. You need a passport for the registration.

You find further information under the Link „Magistratisches Bezirksamt“ (in German only).

Confirmation of Registration for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens

Since 1 January 2006, all EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, who are staying longer than 3 months in Austria, must register within 3 months of arrival at the Municipal Department 35 – Immigration, Citizenship and Registry Offices (Magistratsabteilung 35) and receive a confirmation of registration („Anmeldebescheinigung“).

For this registration the following documents are necessary:
• valid identification card or passport
• confirmation of the Municipal District Office („Meldebestätigung“)
• proof of a health insurance covering all the necessary costs (e.g. European Health Insurance Card)
• proof of sufficient financial means (for students up to 24 years at least EUR 426.57 per month, for older students EUR 772.40 per month. If the accommodation costs exceed € 239,15/month or if there are further expenses, you have to proof the availability of additional funds.)
• confirmation of admission by the university (you get it at the Student mobility office)
• payment of the registration fee

Notice of Departure before leaving Austria

Within three days of your departure you need to give notice of your departure at Municipal District Office.

Students who need a certificate about the duration of their stay, should come to the Student Mobility Office before leaving Austria.