Austria family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Austria family visit visa — used for visiting relatives or a partner, including family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Austria consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.
Where to apply for a Austria family visit visa
Austrian Embassy London directly (not VFS) for Visa D and family reunification cases; the residence title itself is issued by the competent Austrian authority such as MA35 in Vienna after arrival.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Residence permit or Visa D application form
- Proof of the family relationship, apostilled and translated
- Proof of the sponsor's Austrian or EU residence and status
- Rental contract showing accommodation of adequate size
- Proof of the sponsor's income at the Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatz threshold
- Health insurance valid in Austria
- Criminal record certificate for adult applicants
- Biometric passport photo
- A1 German certificate where the category requires it
Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.
Fees, reductions and exemptions
- Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizenFree— Mandatory waiver under Directive 2004/38/EC
- Family reunification residence permit (third-country sponsor)€160— Approximate first-issuance fee; confirm the current figure on migration.gv.at
- Visa D entry visa where required€75— Typical range; confirm with the Embassy
Free for spouses, registered partners and minor children of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC. Standard national visa and residence permit fees apply where the sponsor is Austrian or a third-country national.
Booking an appointment
Visa D and residence-permit family cases are lodged directly with the Embassy by appointment, arranged through the consular section rather than the VFS portal.
Practical tips
State clearly that you are applying as a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen when you request the appointment - the fee waiver is not applied automatically on the generic forms.
What is unusual about the Austria process
Where the sponsor is a third-country national, family reunification falls under an annual quota (Niederlassungsverordnung), so a complete file can still wait for a free quota place.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — VFS Global — Austria Visa Application Centre66 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2BTShort-stay Schengen applications.
- London — Austrian Embassy London18 Belgrave Mews West, London SW1X 8HUResidence permits, Red-White-Red Card and national visas.
Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.
Updated today against official Austria consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Austria family visit visa cost?
- For a Austria family visit visa, there is no consular fee. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen — free; Family reunification residence permit (third-country sponsor) — €160; Visa D entry visa where required — €75. Free for spouses, registered partners and minor children of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC. Standard national visa and residence permit fees apply where the sponsor is Austrian or a third-country national. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Austria family visit visa take to process?
- A decision on a Austria family visit visa typically takes around 45 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
- Where do I apply for a Austria family visit visa?
- Austrian Embassy London directly (not VFS) for Visa D and family reunification cases; the residence title itself is issued by the competent Austrian authority such as MA35 in Vienna after arrival. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Austria family visit visa?
- The Austria consular network lists: Valid passport; Residence permit or Visa D application form; Proof of the family relationship, apostilled and translated; Proof of the sponsor's Austrian or EU residence and status; Rental contract showing accommodation of adequate size; Proof of the sponsor's income at the Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatz threshold; Health insurance valid in Austria; Criminal record certificate for adult applicants; Biometric passport photo; A1 German certificate where the category requires it. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
- How do appointments work for a Austria family visit visa?
- Appointment model: Email request. Visa D and residence-permit family cases are lodged directly with the Embassy by appointment, arranged through the consular section rather than the VFS portal.
- Can I apply for a Austria family visit visa from the United Kingdom?
- Yes. We list 2 submission points in the UK for Austria, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.
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