If you plan a trip to any of the European countries, Austria would be ideal. The country is famous for its tourist spots for fun vacations, employment opportunities, and medical facilities.
However, make sure to take an important step before leaving your home country: getting a visa. An Austria visa from Pakistan is one of the most essential elements of your travel journey.
So, make sure to go through the following blog post to identify the visa types you have, the documents required, and how you can apply for a visa.
Information about Austria
The Republic of Austria is a country situated in Central Europe. Moreover, it lies in the Eastern Alps, consisting of almost nine federation states and Vienna is one of them.
Besides, the country shares its borders with the following countries.
Furthermore, folk and classical music, coffee culture, baroque architecture, Alpine traditions, and winter sports, make Austria a popular Schengen country.
Understanding of an Austria Visa from Pakistan
An Austria visa from Pakistan is an endorsement that allows you to travel and stay in this Schengen country legally. A Schengen visa is the most common visa type that you can apply for when traveling to this region.
Once you are successful in getting a Schengen visa for Austria, you can travel to other Schengen countries as well. This is because this zone has zero internal borders allowing you to move freely between the 29 Schengen countries.
Important: Unfortunately, Pakistani citizens cannot get a visa on arrival in Austria nor can they apply for an e-visa. Therefore, they are required to get a pre-approved Austrian visa from the Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan.
Key Information for an Austria Visa from Pakistan
The following table will provide a summary of an Austria visa from Pakistan.
| Type of visa | Schengen/standard visa |
| Passport’s validity | Six months |
| Number of photos | Two |
| Photo size | Passport size |
| Application processing time | Almost 30 days |
| Visa fee | 90 euros |
| Financial statement from the bank | Six months |
| The least amount of bank balance required | Must have enough resources to cover your expenses |
| Travel health insurance | Minimum 30,000 euros |
Austrian Visa Types for Pakistanis
The nationals of Pakistan can travel to Austria by choosing any of the visa types mentioned below. This depends on your reason for visiting the target country.
Airport transit visa
Pakistani nationals must apply for an airport transit or Type A when traveling to another destination country en route to Austria. This visa allows you to stay in the transit area for 48 to 72 hours while waiting for your connecting flight.
Short-term Schengen visa
A Type C, short-term, or Schengen visa permits you to stay in the target country for almost 90 days within six months. This is usually issued for single, double, or multiple entries. Moreover, you can use it for tourism, business, or short-term academic courses.
National visa (D)
If you want to stay for more than three months in the target Schengen country, apply for a Type D visa. Alternatively, it is known as a national visa, used for purposes including employment, study, residence, etc. Usually, it is valid for up to one year, however, you can apply for an extension as well.
Job seeker visa
A job seeker visa allows you to travel to Austria for work purposes if you do not have a job offer from an Austrian employer. Besides, you can stay for up to six months in the destination country to fulfill the visa requirement.
Residence permit
A residence permit allows you to stay in Austria permanently. However, for this purpose, make sure that you have fulfilled the time limit, i.e., five years, given by the authorities under a temporary residence visa.
Family reunion visas
Lastly, you can use a family reunion visa if you want to reunite with your family in Austria. By submitting appropriate documents, you can stay in the destination country for almost six months.
Document Checklist for Austria Visa from Pakistan
When you apply for an Austria visa from Pakistan, you have to prepare certain standard documents as discussed below:
Application form
The Embassy of Austria in Pakistan requires you to fill out a visa application form. This is one of the most important visa requirements. So, make sure that you complete it by providing accurate information.
The visa application form may ask you for your personal details, travel information, accommodation plans, date, and signature.
Original passport
A passport is a universal travel document acknowledged by every international country to allow travelers from all over the world to enter the target state. Therefore, submit your Pakistani passport with a validity of at least six months.
Moreover, it should be up-to-date and contain at least two blank pages to affix the visa stamps. Besides, a passport older than the last ten years is not acceptable.
Photos
A Schengen visa also requires you to have two passport-size pictures attached to the application form. The photographs should fulfill the Schengen photo guidelines, as mentioned below.
The photo should be,
- Clear and focused
- HD quality
- In colored format
- Must have a size of 35*45mm
- Not older than six months
- Shows 70-80 percent of face and shoulders
- The glasses should be free from any reflection
- Head accessories are not allowed except for religious purposes
Airline reservation
Submitting proof of airline or flight reservation is a mandatory requirement for your Austria visa from Pakistan. This document demonstrates that you have genuine intentions of traveling to Austria.
Moreover, this should be a round-trip flight ticket in case of a short-term visa to avoid any illegal activities in the host country. A flight reservation contains information such as,
- Your name
- Flight number
- Airline company name
- Travel dates and times
- Airport terminals
- IATA codes
- Luggage weight
- 6-digit PNR, etc
Hotel reservation
Having proof of accommodation to show that you have a place to stay in Austria will improve the chances of your visa approval. For this purpose, you can submit any of the following documents.
- Hotel reservation
- Rental contract for an apartment or house
- An invitation letter
Furthermore, visit RFV Travels to learn more about how to book a hotel for your journey to Austria.
Cover letter (letter of purpose)
A letter of purpose or a cover letter for a Schengen visa application will improve the chances of successful application submission. You can address it to the embassy officer to disclose essential details.
For instance, this includes your destination country, duration of stay, return date, set of activities, etc.
Therefore, you can buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost at coverletterforvisa.com.
Travel health insurance
Another Schengen visa requirement is to have a travel health insurance policy for unexpected medical and travel accidents. This must have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 to 45,000 euros to bear the following expenses.
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Repatriation
- Evacuation
- Passport or luggage loss
- Flight cancellation
CNIC
A copy of your national ID card or CNIC should also be submitted with the other documents. This acts as proof of your identification and nationality.
Copy of previous Schengen visas
If you have been to any other Schengen country in the past, make sure to submit a copy of your previous visas. This will add strength to your visa application.
B form for kids
In case, a child below 18 is traveling with you, submit their B form or consent letter signed by the parent or the guardian.
Nadra marriage certificate
If you are married, you have to submit a marriage certificate issued by NADRA. Alternatively, it is known as FRC (family registration certificate). The document should be translated into English if it is in Urdu.
Bank statement
Your trip to Austria requires you to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially without burdening the target country. For this purpose, you can submit the following financial documents.
- Letter of employment if employed
- Proof of income
- Salary slips
- Bank statements from the last six months
- Letter of sponsorship
- Business license/registration certificate if self-employed
- Documents showing property ownership
- Any other wealth-proof or fixed assets
- Income Tax Returns from FBR
Invitation letter
You need to submit an invitation letter if an Austrian host has sponsored your trip. The document contains details about your relationship with the host and a statement claiming that they will financially support you during your trip.
Visa payment receipt
Another requirement is to submit a visa payment receipt as proof. This document shows that you have paid the specific amount to the relevant authorities.
Police clearance certificate
Lastly, Pakistani residents are also required to submit a police clearance certificate taken from the local police station. This shows that they are not involved in any illegal or criminal activity.
Note: Before submitting your documents, make sure that they are either in German or English language. For this purpose, translate them by a certified translator.
How to Apply for an Austria Visa from Pakistan?
The simplest method to apply for an Austria visa from Pakistan is through the official site of VFS Global. So, make sure to follow the steps given below.
Step 1:
Visit the website and enter the home and destination countries. Then, click on ‘take me to the website’ to move ahead.
Step 2:
After that, select the most suitable visa type according to your visit purpose.
Step 3:
Then, download the application form and fill it out completely.
Step 4:
Gather all the required documents and compile them in a logical order.
Step 5:
Schedule an appointment with the same center to provide your biometric data such as fingerprints and photos.
Step 6:
On the day of the appointment, visit the VAC and submit your documents along with the application form. You may also be asked for a short visa interview.
Step 7:
After that, pay the visa fee in cash or through a credit card in local currency.
Step 8:
Wait for the processing time. Meanwhile, you can also track your application. Once approved, you can collect your passport as specified by the embassy or VAC.
Austria Visa Fee from Pakistan
As a Pakistani, you are supposed to pay the Schengen visa fee when submitting your Austrian application. However, the amount depends on certain factors. For example, this includes the visa type you have applied for, the age group to which you belong, and your nationality.
So, the standard application fee for an Austrian visa from Pakistan is as follows:
- If you are a Pakistani adult above 13 years of age, pay 90 euros or 27,202 PKR.
- Children between the ages of six and twelve can pay 45 euros or 13,601 PKR.
- Lastly, minors under the age of six are free to travel to the Schengen Area.
Also, note that the visa fee for the following citizens is 35 euros.
- Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia, Russian Federation, Montenegro, Serbia, Georgia, Macedonia, Herzegovina, Moldova.
Visa Processing Time
Usually, the Austria visa from Pakistan takes up to 15 to 30 days to process. However, the standard processing time gets extended for up to 45 days or two months in rare cases. Thus, the embassy will notify you about any issues that create problems in the visa processing.
Therefore, it is advisable to regularly check your emails to know if your visa has been approved or not.
Can I Extend My Austrian Visa When Traveling from Pakistan?
If you want to stay longer in Austria than the specific limit of your visa type, you can apply for a visa extension. However, for this purpose, you must have a genuine reason so that the authorities may grant an extension to your visa.
For example, any of the following reasons may help you apply for an extension.
- Death or wedding of a family member or friend
- You have to stay in the target country to give emotional, financial, and medical support to someone.
- Natural disasters, global pandemics, and bad political situations.
Another method to stay longer in Austria is applying for a national visa. It will allow you to stay for almost one hundred and eighty days. Moreover, you can also apply for a residence permit valid for one to five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible that my Austrian Schengen visa will be revoked?
Yes, the Austrian authorities or the embassy can reject your visa depending on several reasons. For example, this includes providing incorrect information on your Austrian Schengen visa application form.
Moreover, if you no longer meet the Schengen visa issuance guidelines, your visa will be revoked.
- What is the application fee for an Austrian work visa from Pakistan?
An Austrian work visa is also known as the Red-White-Red-Card, which will cost you about 180 euros. However, this is divided into three sections. For instance, 140 euros when applying, 20 euros when you receive the work permit, and 20 euros for the police identification data.
- Is it easy to get an Austrian visa?
Austria is a part of the Schengen Area. So, you can travel to this country by applying for a Schengen visa. Getting a visa and traveling to this country is quite simple and easy.
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