Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visitor / Family VisitVerified 2026-04-16Austria Visitor Visa (Schengen Type C — Family / Friends)
The Austria Visitor Visa is for Indian citizens visiting close family or friends residing in Austria. The inviter in Austria must provide a guarantee via an Electronic letter of guarantee (EVE) for the visit.
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
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
- Parents visiting children residing/working/studying in Austria
- Siblings, spouses (where marriage not registered in Austria), extended family
- Indian citizens visiting close friends legally settled in Austria
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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, signed
- !Passport
Valid 3 months beyond stay, 2 blank pages, ≤10 years old
- !One photograph
ICAO-compliant, 35–45mm, white bg
- ○Valid permit to return (if applicable)
- !Cover letter from applicant
Purpose, duration, names of accompanying persons, transport and accommodation details
Invitation
- !Invitation from family/friend in Austria
Including host's full name, address, contact details, and intended period of stay
- !Evidence of legal residence of family/friend
Copy of passport / national ID card / residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
- ○Electronic Letter of Guarantee (EVE)
Elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung — obtained by sponsor at competent Fremdenpolizeibehörde of sponsor's district in Austria via bmi.gv.at. Strongly recommended.
Travel
- !Round-trip flight reservations + travel itinerary
Airline reservation + intra-Schengen travel proof if applicable
- !Proof of accommodation
Host's Austrian address (from invitation) is acceptable if staying with them
- !Travel medical insurance
Schengen-wide, €30,000 min, full trip, COVID-19 coverage. From 1 Jan 2026: approved Indian insurance companies only.
Proof of Occupation
- ○Employed
Salary certificate (3 months) + employment contract + NOC to leave
- ○Self-employed
GST / Udhyog Aadhar / Import Export / Certificate of Incorporation
- ○Retired
Pension statements (3 months) OR property/business income
- ○Student
Proof of enrollment
Proof of Sufficient Funds
- !Original bank statements (last 3 months)
Stamped & signed by bank
- !ITR (with barcode) for last 2 years
For Minor Travellers
- ○NOC from parents
Notarized NOC from absent parent(s) + passport copies
Passport & Contact
- !Copy of present passport
- ○Copy of previous Schengen entry/exit stamps
- !Contact details of applicant
Operational email, mobile, business card
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Host creates EVE in Austria
Family/friend in Austria logs into bmi.gv.at → creates Electronic letter of guarantee (EVE) at competent Fremdenpolizeibehörde → shares confirmation with you.
Fill VAF + Declaration
Complete forms in English/German, sign.
Book VFS appointment + submit
Bring all documents + invitation + EVE reference to VFS. Give biometrics.
Embassy decision
15 working days from Embassy receipt.
Passport collection
Via VFS or 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
- EVE (online letter of guarantee) is the strongest proof of host commitment — always get this rather than paper invitation.
- If host is sponsoring financially, include their 3-month bank statements too.
- For parents visiting adult children — include proof child is legally resident (residence card / work permit / student permit).
- 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.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Weak proof of relationship — no correspondence history, no prior visits documented
- 2.Host's financial capacity insufficient to cover long stay
- 3.Applicant's own return-intent ties to India are weak
- 4.Inconsistent narrative — host relationship vs. stated purpose
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EVE (Electronic Letter of Guarantee) mandatory?+
Can host in Austria financially sponsor my trip?+
Can I stay with my host instead of hotel?+
What if host is a friend, not blood relative?+
Let us prepare your Austria Visitor Visa — (Schengen Type C — Family / Friends) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Austria Visa Types
Austria Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Austria for tourism, sightseeing, and non-business leisure travel up to 90 days.
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 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.