Student residence permit applications are accepted at the Austrian Embassy in each country and processed, approved or rejected by the Austrian Immigration Authorities (Vienna: MA 35). An short-term entry visa or "Visa D" may be processed by the Austrian Consulate.

Webster Vienna Private University is not allowed to give legal advice, apply on behalf of, or represent students in the visa/residence permit application process. The outcome of the application process is the decision of the Austrian immigration authorities alone.

Webster Vienna Private University cannot cover consultation fees with legal professionals or the application process. However, WVPU is able to provide recommendations for professional legal assistance. For all inquiries on legal assistance, send an email to student.services@webster.ac.at or call +43 1 269 9293 4355.

Alternatively, prospective students can directly contact the Austrian Student Union or OeH, or if possible, come during office hours to the Department for Foreign Students. This consultation is free of charge to students who will attend or are currently attending universities in Austria. Visit OEH for office hours, languages spoken and contact details.

Sample (muster) of student residency permit that is needed for going to school in Austria

  • Non-EU/non-EEA Citizens: Check this list from the OeAD to determine if you can legally enter Austria without a visa. If your country of citizenship is not on the list, you can only submit a student residence permit application in your home country.
  • Third-country nationals with visa-free entry should still apply for an Austrian student residence permit in their home country. Any delay in the application processing in Austria may force you to leave the country at the end of your visa-free stay, interrupting your studies. Note that starting in 2023, the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS will take effect.
  • Citizens of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) do not need a student residence permit but must still apply for a Confirmation of Registration or “Anmeldebescheinigung within four (4) months of their arrival in Austria. Visit the Vienna city government site for details.

Important: Please make sure you know exactly how many days are left in your visa-free stay or on your Schengen short-stay visa. Those who overstay may find it hard to receive a visa or residence permit in the future. Use the online calculator to determine the number of remaining days allowed in the Schengen territories.

Find the address of Austrian embassies in each country or region.

For those who wish to apply at the immigration office in Vienna, please see the address and office hours of the MA35 central office in Vienna at Magistratsabteilung (MA) 35 Wien.

Appointments must be made ahead of time using the MA35 online booking systems.

Refer to the OeAD for the most up-to-date information.

  1. Application form for a student residence permit in German ("Antrag auf Erteilung einer Aufenthaltsbewilligung — Student").
  2. Valid travel document (e.g., passport) — ideally should be valid for at least 1.5 years upon application.
  3. Current biometric passport photo — the photo can be no older than 6 months.
  4. *Birth certificate or other equivalent document — with Apostille or diplomatic certification.
  5. Legal proof of adequate accommodation (e.g., proof of ownership, lease or rental agreement).
  6. Document showing the monthly rent and/or running costs of the accommodation (shown on rental contract).
  7. Proof of health insurance valid in Austria and covering all risks — for travel health insurance before you arrive in Vienna, you can sign up for private health insurance options recognized by the MA35 / Austrian immigration authorities through insurance agencies such as FeelSafe and CareMed.
  8. Proof of sufficient means of subsistence in Austria (e.g., bank account statements, proof of regular payments made to a bank account fully accessible from Austria). Prescribed minimum amounts (excl. higher accommodation costs and tuition fees): persons under 24 years of age must show available funds of at least 8071.68 euros for one year (672.64 euros per month); persons over 24 years of age must show available funds of at least 14615.52 euros for one year (1217.96 euros per month).
  9. Proof of source of funds (for example: certificate of employment with salary information from student or parents, pay slips, loan confirmation from a bank, official financial aid or scholarship confirmation). If your parents or relatives are funding your studies, please submit their employment documents with salary information.
  10. For first-time applications, in addition to the above, please submit:
    • 10.1 *Police clearance certificate (Auszug aus dem Strafregister): no older than three months with Apostille or diplomatic authentication from your country of origin.
    • 10.2 Notice of admission by the university or other institution of higher education ("Zulassung") — this is the acceptance letter in German issued by a WVPU Admissions Officer
    • 10.3 As previously mentioned: proof of a travel health insurance (covering costs of at least 30,000 euros, costs for treatment of the COVID-19 disease and guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs) valid in the Schengen area for the period between entering Austria and e.g. the start of coverage within the student insurance in Austria. Students who have not yet arrived in Austria can sign up with health insurance providers such as FeelSafe and CareMed.
  11. For RP extensions or renewals:
    • 11.1 Proof of academic success (Studienerfolgsnachweis) during the previous academic year, confirmation of your continuing university enrollment or notification/confirmation of admission of an Austrian higher education institution for another degree program after completion of a degree program in Austria
    • 11.2 Current extract from the files of an officially recognized credit reference agency, such as the Kreditschutzverband - KSV 1870 Information GmbH.
  12. Only if applicable: Declaration of Liability (Haftungserklärung ) accompanied by an income statement and statement of monthly expenditures of the person vouching for the applicant.
  13. Only if applicable: *Marriage certificate; *Civil partnership certificate; *Divorce certificate; *Certificate of dissolution of a civil partnership; *Adoption certificate and *Documents proving family relationships.

* These documents must be certified by diplomatic certification or Apostille. In some cases, additional documents may be required.

** Documents issued in a language other than German must be filed together with a official German translations (issued by a certified court translator).

Fees

  • Basic fee: 160 euros: 120 euros upon submitting the application+ 20 euros when the permit is granted + 20 euros fee for the collection of police identification data
  • Additionally for foreign civil status documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, civil union certificate) depending on the type of document: 3.90 euros, 7.20 euros, or 14.30 euros

You will receive the residence permit after payment of the fee. You may pay these fees in cash or electronically by credit or debit card.

For any questions regarding payment, please contact the accounting department (Buchhaltungsabteilung 40, in German only) of Municipal Department 6.

Forms and General Information

Frequently Asked Questions (Austrian Ministry of Interior)

To-Do List Upon Arrival in Vienna

Mandatory Residence Registration (Meldezettel/Meldebestätigung)

If you move to Austria from abroad or if you move to a new home within Austria, you need to register ("anmelden") your new address within three days of moving in. The property management ("Hausverwaltung"), owner or lessor of the house or flat you live in will not do this for you, but they will need to sign the form before you submit this to the authorities.

If you move out of a flat or house, you need to de-register ("abmelden") within three days before or after moving out.

You can register or de-register at any Residence Registration Service Centre (Meldeservicestelle) in Vienna. Book an appointment using the online reservation tool (German only).

Austrian Bank Account

We do not recommend any specific bank, but the biggest banks are listed below for information on personal/student bank accounts.

Health Insurance

Public Student Health Insurance through the Austrian Health Fund (ÖGK)

The Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) provides the standard state health insurance most Austrian citizens have. The OeGK has a student self-insurance option that is both affordable (approximately 65 euros per month) and widely accepted. The application form (only in German) may be submitted to the ÖGK Vienna Office, Wienerbergstraße 15-19, 1100 Vienna. For questions, email sv@oegk.at or call +43 5 0766-112700.

Private Student Health Insurance through Feel Safe

  • 100% accepted for visa/residence permit applications and full access to the unique and innovative direct billing network (LARA)
  • 100% from Austria; partner of the biggest health insurance provider in Austria (UNIQA)
  • Client office in the center of Vienna: Bäckerstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna
  • All process handled entirely in Austria (personal data, health data, insurance cases, refunds)

Private Student Health Insurance through CareMed

  • Online enrollment and security
  • Versatile all-round protection
  • Coverage and quality
  • Worldwide assistance service

EU/EEA Citizens Registration Certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung)

If you are an EU or EEA staying in Austria for more than three months, you have to inform the competent residence authority in Austria in person and apply for a confirmation of registration (Anmeldebescheinigung) within four months of your arrival. Application procedure for the EU/EEA Registration Certificate.

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