Information über Visum und Einwanderung nach Österreich

Note: Please click on the hyperlinked headings / texts to read the information on official websites.

Applications for an Austrian Student Stay / Residence Permit (“AUFENTHALTSBEWILLIGUNG – STUDENT” – photo below) are accepted at the Austrian Embassy in each country but are processed, reviewed, and approved / rejected by the Austrian Immigration Authorities (in Vienna: MA 35).

You can find information on the Austrian student stay / residence permit application process and a checklist of required documents on the OeAD webpage or the Austrian Ministry of Interior website.

A short-term entry visa or „Visa D“ may be processed by the Austrian Consulate in certain cases. Do NOT apply for a VISA unless instructed to do so by the Austrian Embassy in your home country!

Universities are NOT allowed to apply on behalf of, or represent students in the visa/residence permit application process. The outcome of the application process is the decision of the Austrian immigration authorities alone.

The university also cannot cover consultation fees with legal professionals or the application process.

Newly-admitted students in higher educational institutions in Austria can directly contact the Austrian National Student Union or the OeH (Österreichischen Hochschüler_innenschaft), or if they are able to visit Austria, come during office hours to the Department for Foreign Students. This consultation is free of charge to students who will attend or are currently attending universities in Austria. Visit the OEH Webpage for their contact details, office hours, and languages spoken.

• Non-EU/non-EEA Citizens: Check this list from the OeAD to determine if you can legally enter Austria without a visa. If your country of citizenship is not on the list, you can only submit a student residence permit application in your home country.

You can find information on the Austrian student stay / residence permit application process and a checklist of required documents on the OeAD webpage.

You can find the address of Austrian embassies in each country or region here.

In general, students may only apply for an entry visa or Visa D at an Austrian Consulate or through authorized VFS Centers after they have received their Student Stay / Residence Permit approval.

NOTE: The processing for a Student Stay / Residence Permit application “officially” takes about three (3) months. If the MA35 needs more documents to establish financial capability, authentication, translations, etc., the process can take longer. In majority of cases, it can take four to six (4-6) months! In cases where the student’s country of residence is deemed “high-risk”, it can even take one year. Students MUST apply for their Student Stay Permit immediately after they are admitted by an accredited public or private university in Austria. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure all documents are submitted correctly and completely.

If you are starting in September, make sure you submit your completed Student Stay / Residence Permit by the first week of June. Non-EU students with no visa-free entry are advised to apply for Winter Semester admission in March.

• Third-country nationals with visa-free entry (90 days out of a 180-day period) should still apply for an Austrian student residence permit in their home country at least 2 months before they come to Austria. With any delay in the application processing in Austria, you will be forced to leave the country / Schengen territory at the end of your visa-free stay, interrupting your studies.

Note: Starting late 2026, the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS will start to take effect.

Important: Please make sure you know exactly how many days are left in your visa-free stay. Those who overstay may find it harder to get a visa / residence permit in the future. Use the online calculator to determine the number of remaining days.

For those who wish to apply directly at the immigration office in Vienna, please see the address and office hours of the MA35 central office in Vienna.

Appointments must be made ahead of time using the MA35 online booking system.

• Citizens of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) do not need a student residence permit but must still apply for a Confirmation of Registration or “Anmeldebescheinigung” within four (4) months of their arrival in Austria. Visit the Federal Ministry of Interior website for more information and the application forms

• Application Form: German (PDF) or English (PDF)
• Optional Form: Accommodation Agreement (PDF) or Wohnrechtsvereinbarung
• Optional Form: Haftungserklärung (Declaration of Liability)

1. Mandatory Residence Registration (Meldezettel/Meldebestätigung)

Official City of Vienna Website: https://www.wien.gv.at/english/living-working/registration/

If you move to Austria from abroad or if you move to a new home within Austria, you need to register („anmelden„) your new address within three days of moving in. The property management („Hausverwaltung„), owner or lessor of the house or flat you live in will not do this for you, but they must sign the form before you submit this to the authorities.

If you move out of your current residence, you also need to de-register („abmelden„) within three days before or after moving out.

You can register or de-register at any Residence Registration Service Centre (Meldeservicestelle) in Vienna. You can also book an appointment at the district office using the online reservation tool (German only).

2. Austrian Bank Account

We do not recommend any specific bank, but the biggest banks are listed below for information on personal/student bank accounts.

• Erste Bank Sparkasse
• Unicredit Bank Austria
• Raiffeisen Bank
• BAWAG PSK

3. Health Insurance

Public Student Health Insurance through the Austrian Health Fund (ÖGK)

The Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) provides the standard state health insurance most Austrian citizens have. The OeGK has a student self-insurance option that is both affordable (approximately 73.48 euros per month) and widely accepted. The application form (only in German) may be submitted to the ÖGK Vienna Office, Wienerbergstraße 15-19, 1100 Vienna. For questions, email sev-student@oegk.at or call +43 5 0766-112700.

Private Student Health Insurance through FeelSafe

• 100% accepted for visa/residence permit applications and full access to the unique and innovative direct billing network (LARA)
• 100% from Austria; partner of the biggest health insurance provider in Austria (UNIQA)
• Client office in the center of Vienna: Bäckerstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna
• All process handled entirely in Austria (personal data, health data, insurance cases, refunds)

Private Student Health Insurance through CareMed

• Online enrollment and security
• Versatile all-round protection
• Coverage and quality
• Worldwide assistance service

If you are an EU or EEA staying in Austria for more than three months, you have to inform the competent residence authority in Austria in person and apply for a confirmation of registration (Anmeldebescheinigung) within four months of your arrival. https://oead.at/en/to-austria/entry-and-residence/confirmation-of-registration.

This Austrian Ministry of Interior webpage also helps provide more information for EU / EEA and Swiss nationals: https://www.bmi.gv.at/312_EN/40/start.aspx.

Application Forms in German: https://www.bmi.gv.at/312/60a/start.aspx

Application Forms in English: https://www.bmi.gv.at/312_EN/60a/start.aspx

Fees: https://www.bmi.gv.at/312_EN/42/start.aspx