As Austria is part of the EU and the Schengen Area, it shares the same visa policy as other Schengen countries. At the moment, citizens of all countries visa-exempt for the Schengen zone are able to travel to Austria visa-free for stays up to 90 days.
However, from 2024 it will be mandatory for these same foreign nationals to complete an ETIAS registration before traveling to Austria and the Schengen Area. US citizens, and nationals of Australia, Brazil, and Japan, among others, will all need an ETIAS visa waiver for Austria to travel to the Schengen zone for short stays.
The ETIAS visa waiver to travel to Austria will be a multiple entry travel authorization which allows a total stay of 90 days with each entry to Europe, within every 180-day period. It is valid for 3 years from the date of issue, meaning there is no need to submit an ETIAS application before every trip.
ETIAS allows the holder to travel to Austria and the Schengen Area for business, medical treatment, and purposes of tourism. Visa-exempt citizens only passing through Austria on the way to an onward destination also need an ETIAS transit visa waiver for Austria.
All ETIAS-eligible nationals who wish to visit Austria for other purposes, or for longer consecutive periods, as well as all non-visa-exempt citizens, need a visa for Austria.
To apply for an Austria Schengen visa, it is necessary to make an appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate of Austria. Applicants should download, print, and complete an application form for a Schengen visa for Austria to bring to the appointment.
Austria visa requirements also state it is necessary to bring a passport valid for at least 3 months from the intended entry date to the Schengen Area, as well as a range of supporting documents depending on the type of Schengen visa required.