🇸🇾→🇦🇹Syria→Austria

Tourism, visiting family/friends, or short business trips without employment. Permits travel throughout the Schengen Area.

• Fee is €90 (~USD 99); €45 for ages 6-12.
• Maximum 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Requires valid passport, travel insurance (min. €30,000), proof of financial means, and return commitment.
• Apply at Austrian embassy/consulate in country of residence.
• Processing typically 15 calendar days; up to 45 days if additional checks needed.

Permits passage through the international transit zone of Austrian airports without entering the Schengen Area.

• Required only for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Syria.
• Exempt if holder has valid Schengen/Irish/US/Canadian/Japanese visa or qualifying residence permit.
• Standard Schengen visa fee (€90) applies.

Attending business meetings, conferences, or negotiations in Austria without taking up employment.

• Same Visa C category as tourist visa but with business purpose stated in application.
• Fee €90.
• No separate category for business short-stay; purpose is declared on application form.

Permits extended stays in Austria from 91 days up to 6 months, typically as a precursor to obtaining a residence permit.

• Fee is €195 (~USD 215); €97 for children under 6.
• Cannot be extended in Austria.
• Stays beyond 6 months require a residence permit.
• Issued for one or multiple entries; exceptionally valid up to 12 months.
• Used as entry permit to then collect residence permit in Austria.

Allows highly qualified third-country nationals to enter Austria for up to 6 months to seek employment, without the right to work during this period.

• Six-month Visa D category.
• Employment is strictly prohibited during the validity period.
• Intended for highly qualified workers who then apply for a Red-White-Red Card once they secure a job offer.

Points-based settlement permit granting the right to live and work in Austria for qualified third-country nationals including very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, self-employed key workers, and start-up founders.

• Valid for 24 months, employer-tied for most categories.
• AMS (Public Employment Service) reviews macroeconomic benefit within 3 weeks.
• After 24 months (min. 21 months in employment), eligible for Red-White-Red Card Plus (unrestricted labor market access).
• Sub-categories: Very Highly Qualified Workers (min. 70 pts), Shortage Occupation Workers, Self-Employed Key Workers (min. €100,000 capital transfer or equivalent benefit), Start-up Founders (min. €30,000 capital, min. 50 pts).
• No specific USD fee published on official source.

Residence and work permit for third-country nationals with a university degree and qualifying job offer, implementing the EU Blue Card Directive in Austria.

• Fee is €218 (~USD 240).
• Requires university degree (minimum 3-year program) or, for ICT professionals/service managers, 3 years comparable experience in the last 7 years; a binding job offer for at least 6 months; and salary at least equal to the average gross annual income for full-time employees (in 2026: at least €55,678 gross annual incl. special payments).
• Card issued for 24 months.
• After 21 months of employment, eligible for Red-White-Red Card Plus.
• Labor market test applies.

Temporary residence and work permit for third-country nationals transferred within a multinational company to an Austrian entity as managers, specialists, or trainee employees.

• Implements EU ICT Directive.
• Covers managers, specialists, and trainees.
• Mobile ICT variant available for movement within multiple EU member states.
• Must demonstrate active employment relationship with the sending entity and temporary assignment to Austrian host entity.

Allows third-country nationals to reside in Austria for the duration of their studies at accredited universities, polytechnics, or private institutions.

• Requires proof of enrollment at an accredited Austrian institution, adequate financial means (approx. €1,308/month), and health insurance.
• Students may work up to 20 hours per week without a separate labor market test.
• After graduation, permit can be extended for 12 months to seek employment or start a business.

Allows third-country national minors to reside in Austria to attend primary or secondary school.

For pupils enrolled in Austrian primary or secondary schools. Requires proof of enrollment, health insurance, and proof of adequate means of subsistence.

Temporary residence permit for third-country national researchers to carry out research activities at an approved Austrian research organisation.

• Implements EU Researcher Directive.
• Requires hosting agreement with an approved Austrian research organisation.
• Family members may accompany.
• Mobile researcher provisions allow activity across EU member states.

Allows eligible family members (spouses, minor children) of third-country nationals with valid Austrian residence permits to join them in Austria.

• Fee is €260 (~USD 286); €130 for children under 6.
• For family members of asylum-status holders, different rules apply.
• Sponsors must demonstrate adequate financial means and appropriate housing.
• EU/EEA family members are governed by EU Freedom of Movement rules, not this permit.

Allows young nationals of partner countries to holiday in Austria and supplement their travel costs through incidental work or vocational training.

• Available to nationals of 12 bilateral partner countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and United States.
• Age requirement: 18-30 years.
• Primary purpose must be holiday; work is secondary and incidental.
• Apply at the Austrian embassy/consulate of partner country.
• Exact duration, quota, and fees vary by bilateral agreement.

Temporary residence permit for third-country nationals performing social service or voluntary work (including European Voluntary Service) in Austria.

Maximum 1 year, non-renewable. Must be placed with an approved social service organisation or European Voluntary Service programme.

Allows young third-country nationals to live with an Austrian host family and assist with childcare and household tasks while improving language and cultural skills.

• Categorised under special cases of dependent employment.
• Requires a formal au pair placement agreement with an approved host family.
• Specific age limits, duration, and pocket money requirements governed by Austrian law.

Settlement permit granting unlimited (non-employer-tied) access to the Austrian labour market for holders transitioning from a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card, family members of settled foreigners, and certain other settled third-country nationals.

• Fee is €218 (~USD 240).
• Distinct card from the Red-White-Red Card: grants unlimited labour-market access (employed or self-employed, not tied to one employer).
• Typically issued after 21 of the last 24 months in qualifying employment on a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card, or to family members.
• Valid for 12 months; those lawfully settled 2+ years who meet Integration Agreement Module requirements may receive a card valid for 3 years.

Settlement permit for pensioners and financially self-sufficient third-country nationals who wish to reside in Austria without taking up any gainful employment.

• Fee is €218 (~USD 240).
• Subject to an annual quota (Niederlassungsverordnung) and often heavily oversubscribed.
• No employment of any kind is permitted.
• Requires proof of secure fixed income; 2026 minimum monthly means: €2,616.78 (single), €4,128.24 (married couple), plus €403.76 per child.
• Also requires adequate accommodation, comprehensive health insurance, and German language pre-integration (A1).

Settlement permit for third-country nationals pursuing self-employed or dependently employed artistic activity in Austria (e.g. musicians, performers, visual artists).

• For persons whose income comes predominantly from artistic activity.
• For dependent employment an employer declaration is required; for self-employed activity a contract and proof of artistic education/training are required.
• Grants settlement with labour-market access limited to the artistic activity.

EU long-term residence status for third-country nationals who have lawfully and continuously resided in Austria for at least five years, granting near-permanent settlement with full labour-market access.

• Fee is €275 (~USD 303).
• Requires five years of continuous lawful residence, completion of Integration Agreement Module 2 (B1 German), secure fixed income, accommodation, and health insurance.
• Grants unrestricted access to the labour market.
• The residence-permit document is valid for five years and is renewable; the underlying long-term-resident status itself is of unlimited duration.