How to Get a Residence Permit for Austria

If you plan to work or live in Austria, just like all other foreign countries, you need to get a residence permit first. In this guide, we have covered every detail for different instances. Whether you will study in Austria or plan to bring your family, you can learn what you are looking for in the following.

It is important to follow the procedures and know when you need a permit or how to get it. So, let’s start without losing any time.

Who Needs a Residence Permit in Austria?

If you are not an EU or Swiss citizen, you need to apply for a residence permit in Austria. Depending on your unique condition, there are different kinds of residence permits you can use for. This also covers the families of the applicants. In this regard, your visa matters a lot. Here are some of the visas you can consider applying for:

• Researcher visa
• Work visa
• Student visa

It is worth noting that some of these visa types also offer different categories to consider.

Where to Apply for an Austrian Residence Permit?

People who are planning to apply for an Austrian residence permit must visit the Austrian embassy in their country. You need to provide the required documents together with the application form. However, there may be exceptions regarding where to apply for a residence permit.

For example, if you have Visa D, are a Swiss or EEA citizen, or applying for a research permit, you may have to apply through different Austrian institutions. In addition to this, family members of Austrian citizens will not have to apply through embassies.

What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Residence Permit in Austria?

It is worth noting that the documents you need to submit during the application may differ according to your nationality or visa. However, there are some common documents that every applicant must submit. These are:

• Valid password with at least six months of validity
• Certificate of birth
• Biometric photograph
• Health insurance
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Proof of accommodation
• Certificate of marriage, death, or divorce (if applicable)

It would be best to remember that you have to translate all the documents into German. For this purpose, you need to hire a professional German translator or Apostille.

How to Apply for a Residence Permit for Education in Austria?

If you are going to stay in Austria for less than 180 days and you are a student in the country, you need to apply for an Austrian National Visa D. On the other hand, if you are going to stay in the country for more than 180 days, you need to apply for a student residence permit.

The student residence permit is valid for 12 months, and you can extend it while you are in the country. Applicants must apply through an Austrian embassy for their first application. However, if you have an Austrian National Visa D and are going to apply for a student residence permit, you can apply within the country.

Here are the requirements you need to meet to apply for a student residence permit.

• High school diploma
• Letter of acceptance from any Austrian education institute or university
• If the course is in German, student language knowledge

Once you get the student residence permit, you can also apply for the work permit. Students can work up to 20 hours per week. They can also apply for residence or work permits after completing their education.