Austrian student visa for American students in Vienna.
The 2026 rules for students from United States: the money to show, what your documents need and where you apply.
Money to show, under 24
€3,820
a year, about $9,451
Your documents need
Apostille
from your issuing authority
To enter Austria
Visa D
apply in Washington, DC
The money to show
Under 24
€8,671 a year
€722.58 a month · about $788 a month, $9,451 a year
24 and over
€15,701 a year
€1,308.39 a month · about $1,426 a month, $17,114 a year
If your rent is above €386.43 a month, you need to show more. Local amounts are approximate. Source: OeAD 2026.
Your documents and the visa
Apostille
Austria accepts apostilles from United States. Your official documents, such as your birth certificate, need an apostille before you submit them.
Visa D required
Citizens of United States apply at the Austrian embassy in Washington, DC before travelling to Austria.
Processing time
Usually 2 to 4 weeks for applicants from United States; the legal maximum is 90 days. Waiting for an embassy appointment: ~2 weeks.
Specific to United States
- FBI Identity History Summary (3-5 business days online)
- State-level birth certificate + Secretary of State apostille
- US Department of State apostille for federal documents
Studying in Vienna
Austria's capital, world-class education, culture and quality of life
Universities
23
Average rent
€450-650
Students
200,000+
Immigration office
MA35, Einwanderung und Staatsbürgerschaft (Immigration and Citizenship), Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 3, 1080 Wien
Universities in Vienna
University of Vienna (85,000+)
TU Wien (30,000+)
WU Vienna (21,000+)
BOKU Vienna (12,000+)
University of Applied Arts Vienna (1,800+)
Medical University of Vienna (8,000+)
MDW Vienna (3,000+)
Common questions from American students
No. US citizens enter Austria visa-free for up to 90 days. You can apply for your residence permit at the Austrian embassy before travel (safer) or at MA35/BH after arrival (faster start, but riskier if processing exceeds 90 days).
Apply online at identityhfs.fbi.gov. Processing takes 3-5 business days. The result must be apostilled by the US Department of State, then translated to German.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Austrian Student Visa
The Austrian student visa typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to process from the date of application at the embassy. It is recommended to apply at least 3 months before the start of your studies.
If you are under 24 years old, you need to show 722.58 euros per month (8,671 euros per year). If you are 24 or older, you need 1,308.39 euros per month (15,701 euros per year).
Yes, bachelor's and master's students can work up to 20 hours per week. You need a work permit from the employment service (AMS).
Valid passport, university admission letter, proof of finances, health insurance, police clearance certificate, birth certificate, passport-sized photos and a completed application form.
You can appeal within 4 weeks of the rejection to the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG). Carefully review the reasons for rejection and address any deficiencies before reapplying.
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