Austria tourist visa
To see Vienna, the Alps or the lakes around Salzburg, an Indian passport holder needs Austria's Schengen short-stay visa (Type C, the uniform visa). It covers tourism, sightseeing and visits to family and friends, allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, and opens the entire Schengen area of 29 countries, not Austria alone. For applicants in India it is issued by the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi, whose consular reach also extends to Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
You lodge the file through VFS Global, which runs the Austria visa application centres in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune before forwarding it to the embassy in New Delhi for the decision. Apply through Austria when it is your main destination, the country where you spend the most nights; when the nights fall equally across Schengen states, apply through your first point of entry. Each case is decided on its own merits. Expect around 15 days, occasionally stretching to 45.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holder travelling for tourism, sightseeing or a short private visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- ✓Austria is your main destination (the country where you spend the most nights) or, if nights are equal, your first point of entry into the Schengen area.
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages.
- ✓Able to show sufficient financial means to cover the stay and return, plus confirmed travel and accommodation arrangements.
- ✓Holds travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 cover valid across the entire Schengen area.
- ✓No entry ban, Schengen alert or other ground for refusal against you.
Visa options for Austria
Type C — Tourism / sightseeing
Short-stay Schengen visa for holidays and independent travel in Austria and the wider Schengen area, up to 90 days in 180.
Type C — Visiting family or friends
Short-stay visa for a private visit, typically supported by an invitation from the host in Austria.
Single- or multiple-entry
The consulate sets the number of entries and validity; frequent, well-documented travellers may receive a multiple-entry visa for longer validity within the 90/180 limit.
Documents typically required
- ✓Completed and signed Schengen (Type C) visa application form.
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months beyond departure from the Schengen area, with two or more blank pages, plus copies of previous visas.
- ✓One recent colour photograph, 35 x 45 mm, portrait format, against a light background.
- ✓Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 cover, valid for the whole Schengen area and the full period of stay.
- ✓Flight tickets and proof of accommodation (hotel bookings) or an invitation letter from your host in Austria.
- ✓Proof of sufficient financial means, for example recent personal bank statements.
- ✓Day-by-day travel itinerary and a cover letter setting out the purpose and dates of travel.
- ✓Proof of ties and status in India, such as employment or leave letter, or business/company documents for the self-employed.
- ✓All documents in English or with a certified English translation; biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are captured at the visa application centre.
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
From 1 January 2026 Austria accepts travel medical insurance only from companies on VFS Global's approved list for India, so check that your policy is on that list before you buy. Book the VFS appointment early: you can apply up to six months before travel and no later than 15 days before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Do you guarantee the visa?
No. The decision rests entirely with the Austrian embassy and consulate, and no consultant can guarantee an approval. What we do is give you a frank, honest assessment of your case and build the strongest possible application. Over the last 2-3 years our clients have seen a success rate of around 97%.
My trip covers several Schengen countries. Must I apply through Austria?
Apply to Austria when it is your main destination, the country where you spend the most nights. If your nights are split equally between Schengen countries, apply to the one you enter first. And if some other country is clearly the heart of your trip, apply through that country's mission instead.
How long does the Austria Schengen visa take?
The consulate aims to decide within about 15 days of your appointment. It can extend up to 45 days if extra checks or documents are needed, so apply early, up to six months before travel and at least 15 days ahead.
How long can I stay, and where can I travel?
The Type C visa allows up to 90 days of stay within any 180-day period. Within that limit it also lets you move across the whole Schengen area of 29 countries, not just Austria.