Austria Student Visa Requirements for Indians: 2026 Checklist

The right checklist depends on how long your course runs, so start there. Every figure below is as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For Schengen visits, fees and VFS details, see our Austria visa hub for Indians.

Which Austrian student permit fits your course?

The Embassy's older 'Studying in Austria' page still says EUR 120 for the residence permit. The fee from 1 January 2026 is EUR 218, according to the Embassy's settlement and residence page and oesterreich.gv.at.

How much money must you show for 12 months?

OeAD's 2026 checklist sets monthly amounts by age, and you show them for 12 months in advance.

• Form of proof: a savings book or bank account in your own name that can be accessed from Austria. A liability declaration by an EU resident, traveller's cheques or a scholarship confirmation are the alternatives.
• Conflicting figure: migration.gv.at lists EUR 777.58 a month for under-24s, while OeAD and the 2026 ASVG reference rate give EUR 722.58. Ask the Embassy which figure it applies to your file.

For Indian students, the key word is your. A fixed deposit or savings account in a parent's name does not match the published wording, which asks for an account in the applicant's name accessible from Austria.

What is on the residence permit checklist?

1. Admission: a Zulassungsbescheid for a regular degree programme at an Austrian university, university of applied sciences, private university or university college of teacher education, or a university course of at least 40 ECTS that is not only language learning. If there is an entrance exam, a conditional admission letter can be used.
2. Proof of funds as set out above.
3. Accommodation: proof of accommodation in Austria for at least 3 months.
4. Health insurance covering all risks in Austria.
5. Police clearance certificate from your country of residence, not older than 3 months when you apply, legalised and translated.
6. Passport: a copy of the whole passport.
7. Photo: ICAO standard, 35-45 mm, colour, plain light background, no more than 6 months old.
8. Legalisation and translation: documents must be legalised. The Embassy's study page asks for certified German translations of documents not in German, while oesterreich.gv.at says documents in English generally need no translation. Confirm with the Embassy before paying a translator.

Short course of up to 6 months? The VFS checklist

VFS's checklists ask for the National Visa Category (D) form and the signed VFS declaration, and the students checklist adds study-specific papers:

• Certificate of admission or registration at the educational institute.
• Confirmation of your present student status, such as a letter from your college, student card or certificates.
• Proof of accommodation in Austria or a dormitory acceptance.
• Evidence of tuition fee payment or a scholarship.
• An Electronic Declaration of Sponsorship (EVE), if someone in Austria sponsors you.
• Original bank statements for the last three months, stamped and signed by the bank, and ITR (with barcode) for the last 2 years.
• Travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 from an insurer on the approved Indian list, which applies from 1 January 2026.

When should you apply, and how long does it take?

The residence authority in Austria must decide without delay and at the latest within 90 days, according to oesterreich.gv.at. OeAD adds that the 90 days are extended by another 90 days if documents have to be submitted later. OeAD recommends applying at least 3 months, ideally 6 months, before entry, and the Embassy advises at least three months.

The Embassy's consular department works Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:00, by prior appointment only. Its visa and consular e-mail is NEW-DELHI-KA@bmeia.gv.at.

Can you work while studying, and what happens after graduation?

• You can work up to 20 hours a week. The employer applies to the AMS for an employment permit, without a labour market test.
• The permit is issued for 1 year, or 2 years in mobility programmes.
• After graduation, it can be extended once for 12 months to look for work or start a business.

Mistakes to avoid in an Indian student file

• Booking VFS for a degree course. Studies over 6 months go to the Embassy in person.
• Using the old EUR 120 fee. The 2026 fee is EUR 218.
• An old police certificate. It must be no more than 3 months old on the day you apply.
• Applying late. A 90-day decision period that can be extended by another 90 days leaves little room if you apply close to your course start.

Booking a flight for an Austrian visa file before the decision? Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares verifiable flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters, from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (complete package). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Austrian D student visa fee refunded if the visa is refused?

No. VFS India states that Long Term (D) fees are non-refundable if the visa is refused. They are payable by cash, Visa, Master Card or RuPay, and the INR amount changes with the exchange rate at every month end.

Where is the Austrian Embassy consular section in New Delhi?

At EP-13, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. The consular department is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:00, by prior appointment only, and covers all of India.

Do Indian students give biometrics for an Austrian D visa?

Yes, ten fingerprints and a photograph are collected in person at the VFS centre, unless they were collected within the last 59 months. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints.

What if I live outside India but hold an Indian passport?

The Austrian Embassy New Delhi only processes applications from people who can prove habitual residence in its territory. Indian citizens living in another country must apply at the Austrian mission there.