How Indian passport holders get a visa for Austria: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks.
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 40/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, with 2 blank pages and issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two recent biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard)
- Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking (do not buy tickets until visa is issued)
- Day-by-day itinerary with hotel bookings for every night in Schengen
- Personal bank statements for the last 3 months with healthy balance (broadly ₹1,00,000+)
- Income tax returns for the last 2 years (or Form 16)
- Travel medical insurance valid in all Schengen states, minimum €30,000 cover (from approved insurer list)
- Employment proof: leave letter on company letterhead, salary slips; for self-employed: GST/company registration; for students: bonafide letter
How & where to apply
Apply through the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global India. VFS Austria centres operate in Delhi, Mumbai (new larger BKC centre from Jan 2026), Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Cochin and Jalandhar. From 1 Jan 2026 Austria only accepts travel insurance from an approved insurers list. VFS Global — Austria visa India (official partner)
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside. Confirm with airline for airside transit.
Good to know
ETIAS (the EU's pre-travel authorisation rolling out in late 2026) is for visa-exempt nationals only — Indian passport holders will continue to need a full Schengen sticker visa. Austria is a comparatively even-handed Schengen issuer. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-new-delhi
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Austria?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India. ETIAS (the EU's pre-travel authorisation rolling out in late 2026) is for visa-exempt nationals only — Indian passport holders will continue to need a full Schengen sticker visa. Austria is a comparatively even-handed Schengen issuer.
What documents do Indians need for a Austria visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, with 2 blank pages and issued within the last 10 years; Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Two recent biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard); Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary; Confirmed round-trip flight booking (do not buy tickets until visa is issued); Day-by-day itinerary with hotel bookings for every night in Schengen; Personal bank statements for the last 3 months with healthy balance (broadly ₹1,00,000+); Income tax returns for the last 2 years (or Form 16); Travel medical insurance valid in all Schengen states, minimum €30,000 cover (from approved insurer list); Employment proof: leave letter on company letterhead, salary slips; for self-employed: GST/company registration; for students: bonafide letter
How long does a Austria visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks.. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a Austria visa?
Apply through the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global India. VFS Austria centres operate in Delhi, Mumbai (new larger BKC centre from Jan 2026), Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Cochin and Jalandhar. From 1 Jan 2026 Austria only accepts travel insurance from an approved insurers list. Official source: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-new-delhi