Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — TourismVerified 2026-04-16Austria Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
The Austria Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) is for Indian passport holders visiting Austria (and the wider Schengen area) for tourism or other non-business purposes. Austria is one of 29 European countries forming the Schengen Area with no internal border controls.
Processing
15 working days from when the Embassy receives your complete application (not counting VFS transport time)
Stay Duration
90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen-wide)
Starting Fee
€90
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Austria visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Applications cannot be submitted more than 6 months prior to intended departure. Apply at least 15 working days before travel — submissions under 15 days may be returned to VFS unprocessed.
- 2Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay, have at least 2 blank pages, and must have been issued within the previous 10 years. NO alterations or handwritten amendments concerning the data page.
- 3From 1 January 2026, travel medical insurance will ONLY be accepted if issued by one of the approved Indian insurance companies listed on the VFS Austria site.
- 4Travel medical insurance must cover the ENTIRE period of stay or transit, minimum coverage €30,000, valid throughout all Schengen Member States, and include COVID-19 treatment.
- 5If applicant intends to stay longer than 6 months, a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel) must be applied for. Visa C: up to 90 days. Visa D: 91–180 days. Neither category can be extended or renewed inside Austria.
- 6Representatives must provide an original letter of authorization from the applicant bearing the name of the representative and their organization / company, with a valid photo ID copy attached.
- 7The applicant bears sole responsibility concerning all content of the application. Incomplete or faulty documentation can be a reason for refusal.
- 8Bank statements for the last 3 months are MANDATORY and must be stamped & signed by the bank.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens travelling to Austria for tourism, sightseeing, or leisure
- Multi-Schengen travellers where Austria is the main destination (most nights booked in Austria)
- Travellers with confirmed flight + accommodation reservations and sufficient funds
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone intending to work in Austria (tourist visa does NOT authorise paid employment)
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel) instead
- Business meetings / sales / client visits — apply for Business Visa instead
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay) | €90 |
| Children 6–12 years — Embassy fee | €45 |
| Children under 6 years — Embassy fee | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,479 |
Embassy fees are set in EUR by the Austrian Embassy — the actual INR charged at VFS varies with the daily exchange rate. VFS service charge is fixed in INR. All fees payable in Cash / Card / UPI (or Rupay). Fees are non-refundable in case the visa is refused. Approximate total for an adult short-stay visa: €90 + ₹2,479 (~₹12,289 at current rates).
Documents Required
Core Documents
- !Application form
Fully completed in English or German language, signed by applicant. Download Editable/Digital VAF (preferred) from VFS Austria downloads.
- !Valid passport
Valid 3 months beyond intended departure, 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years, no alterations on data page
- !One photograph
ICAO-compliant, 35–45mm wide, white background, ≤6 months old, face 70–80% of frame, sharp focus
- ○Valid permit to return (if applicable)
Indian Residency Permit for citizens of Bangladesh/Bhutan/India/Maldives/Nepal/Sri Lanka. Tibetans on Indian IC: Return Visa mandatory.
- !Cover letter
From applicant stipulating purpose of travel, duration, names of accompanying persons, transport and accommodation details
Travel & Stay
- !Round-trip flight reservations + travel itinerary
Airline reservation and proof of other means of travel within Austria/EU in case of onward travel. Don't purchase tickets until visa is approved.
- !Proof of accommodation
Hotel reservation, tour organizer letter, or other appropriate documentation indicating travel plans within Austria / EU
- !Travel medical insurance
Valid throughout all Schengen Member States, minimum €30,000 coverage, covers the ENTIRE period of stay + COVID-19. From 1 Jan 2026: only approved Indian insurance companies.
Proof of Occupation
- ○Employed
Salary certificate (last 3 months), employment contract + company NOC to leave. Mention official email address of applicant/HR on application form or business card.
- ○Self-employed
GST certificate / Udhyog Aadhar Memorandum / Import Export Certificate / Certificate of Incorporation etc.
- ○Retired
Pension statements (last 3 months) and/or proof of regular income from property/business
- ○Student
Proof of enrollment / registration in school / college / university
Proof of Sufficient Funds
- !Original bank statements (last 3 months)
Stamped & signed by bank. Required even if sponsored.
- !ITR (with barcode) for last 2 years
For Minor Travellers
- ○NOC from parent(s)
Minor with ONE parent: Original notarized NOC from other parent + parent passport copies. Minor travelling alone: notarized NOC from BOTH parents / legal guardians + passport copies/ID.
Passport & Contact
- !Copy of present passport
Data pages, last page, pages with evidence of previous visa/travel
- ○Copy of Schengen entry/exit stamps
From previous passports (or proof of loss)
- !Contact details of applicant
Operational email address, mobile number and business card
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Download + fill forms
Go to VFS Austria Downloads → get Editable VAF + Declaration and Undertaking → fill both in English/German → sign them.
Book VFS appointment
At visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/aut/ → select nearest centre → book biometrics appointment.
Submit documents + biometrics at VFS
Bring originals + copies as per VFS checklist. Give fingerprints and facial photo. Pay Embassy fee + VFS service charge.
Application forwarded to Embassy
VFS transports your file to the Austrian Embassy, New Delhi. Processing (15 working days) begins only when the Embassy receives it.
Decision + passport return
Decision communicated by VFS via SMS/email. Collect passport at VFS or via courier.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Short Stay — Type C)
Download via VFS Austria Downloads section. Two versions: Editable/Digital VAF (Preferred) + Non-Editable VAF. Form must be fully completed in English or German and signed by the applicant. Best filled in Google Chrome / Safari / Firefox.
National Visa Application Form (Long Stay — Category D)
For long-stay visas (91–180 days). Signed form must be submitted at VFS.
Declaration and Undertaking
Mandatory declaration required by the Austrian Embassy — must be signed by the applicant and submitted along with the application form.
VFS Austria Checklists & Forms Portal
Per-visa-type document checklists (Business, Tourism, Visitor, Student, Film Crew, Incentive Group, Transit, etc.) available on the VFS Austria site.
VFS Application Centres
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- VFS Austria offers a Checklist (Link) on the Documents Required tab for every visa category — always refer to the latest version before applying.
- Apply 3–4 weeks before travel as the sweet spot — early enough to handle extended processing, not so early that itinerary / bookings become stale.
- Make sure your cover letter, financials, travel bookings, and invitation letter all tell a consistent story — Austrian consulates particularly scrutinise 'purpose clarity'.
- Photo: 35–45 mm wide, ≤6 months old, white background, face 70–80% of frame, no ink marks / creases / filters. Austrian consulates are strict on photo compliance.
- Carry ALL old/expired passports with previous Schengen entry/exit stamps — the Embassy wants to see your full travel history.
- Representative / travel agent submissions must bring the applicant's signed application form and declaration at the time of submission.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Insufficient funds — bank balance not matching declared trip cost
- 2.Weak ties to India — no job/property/family commitments showing return intent
- 3.Travel insurance not meeting €30,000 minimum OR not covering full trip
- 4.Inconsistent itinerary — Austria marked as main destination but more nights booked elsewhere in Schengen
- 5.Incomplete cover letter — unclear purpose of visit
- 6.Recent visa refusals (any Schengen country) not addressed with new evidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter other Schengen countries with an Austria tourist visa?+
Is interview mandatory for Austria tourist visa?+
How far in advance can I apply?+
What if I'm refused?+
Can I extend my tourist visa in Austria?+
Do I need to buy insurance from an Indian company?+
Let us prepare your Austria Tourist Visa — (Schengen Type C — Short Stay) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Austria Visa Types
Austria Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals doing business in Austria — sales meetings, establishing contacts, conferences, or trade events on behalf of a company outside India.
Austria Visitor Visa (Schengen Type C — Family / Friends)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends in Austria. The Austrian inviter provides a guarantee on behalf of the applicant.
Austria Cultural / Sports / Religious Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian participants in cultural, sports, or religious events in Austria for up to 90 days.
Austria Student / Research / Internship Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian students / researchers / interns in Austria up to 90 days. For internships beyond 90 days, apply for Visa D (long-stay).
Austria Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian film crew visiting Austria to shoot motion films, with backing from Indian film associations and Austrian business partners.
Austria Official Visit Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian government / intergovernmental delegates travelling to Austria for meetings, consultations, negotiations, or events held by intergovernmental organizations.
Austria Incentive Groups Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay group visa for Indian companies sponsoring incentive trips (rewards / team outings) to Austria for their employees.
Austria Transit Visa (Schengen Type C — Transit)
Schengen transit visa applicable ONLY for citizens of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh transiting Austria to a third country destination.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Austria website and Embassy of Austria. Last verified 2026-04-16. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.