A Complete Guide to Austria Visa Application from Nigeria

Travel is an important part of life. Robert Louis Stevenson rightly said, “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” Owing to their enchanting tourist resorts, European countries lure tourists, visitors, and backpackers from across the world. Officially known as the Republic of Austria is an important Schengen country located in central Europe. The country is a center of attraction due to a plethora of reasons. If you are wanderlust and planning a trip to Austria, you are at the right place. This detailed guide will provide you with invaluable details on how, where, and when to apply for a visa.

Why Choose Austria For A Trip? Amazing Facts About The Country

Here are some interesting facts about Austria: 

• The Austrian flag is the oldest. The actual date of the flag is contested but it is estimated to date back to12th century
• Most of the country is covered by the Alps. Approximately 62% of the country consists of the Alps. The highest peak is “Grossglockner” which measures 3,798 meters
• Did you know? Austria is a leader in renewable energy and generates 80% electricity from renewable sources
• Vienna, Austria’s capital was a seat of the powerful Habsburg Empire. The eve-inspiring infrastructure, museums, and theaters are a testament to the grand empire
• Austria is home to classical composers such as Franz Schubert, Joseph Haydn, and Gustav Mahler
• Vienna has the world’s largest library named Austrian National Library. Containing 2 

million books. Therefore the bookworms will not repent a visit to Austria!

Do Nigerians Need A Visa To Travel To Austria?

Yes, Nigerian citizens need a visa to travel to Austria Therefore, if you want to travel to Austria, you need to provide a valid visa that fulfills the Schengen visa specifications.

Where To Apply For The Austrian Visa From Nigeria?

Nigerian citizens who want to apply for an Austrian visa, need to Visit VFS Global, fulfill all the online requirements, and then visit the nearest center in person. Now, a question naturally comes to mind, What is VFS Global? The VFS Global is a credible service provider that is a trusted partner of diplomatic missions worldwide. It collaborates with the embassies and the consulates for the disposal of visa applications. The VFS utilizes modern technologies to deal with visa applications.

How To Apply For The Austria Visa From Nigeria? A Step By Step Guide:

The visa application process consists of the following essential steps:

Step 1: Visit the VFS Global website:

To initiate the application process, visit the website of VFS Global . Here, you will come across the interface mentioned in the photo below. Thus, type the country from which you are applying and the one you intend to go to.

Step 2: Apply for the visa:

The process continues. In the second step, Click the option, “Apply For The Visa.”

Step 3: Determine visa type:

Selecting the correct visa is an important part of the visa application process. Therefore, click on the “Visa Type” as illustrated in the picture below and see your eligibility.

Step 4: Begin the Application form:

The process doesn’t end here! In fact a visa application is just like a cornerstone on which to erect a building. Therefore, click the option “Begin Your Application.” This requires essential details that must be provided.

Step 5: Book an appointment:

In the fifth step, you need to set a stage for the in-person appearance. This you can do by clicking on the option “Book An Appointment.”

Step 6: Pay your fee:

Every visa type has a specific amount of fee that must be paid to the concerned visa processing authority. In addition to the visa fee, VFS Global also charges a specific amount for its services. Nigerian citizens need to pay in Naira as per the currency exchange rate prevalent at the time of visa application.

Step 7: Visit the visa application center:

The VFS requires you to visit the nearest visa application center to submit the documents and fingerprints. Moreover, you need to bring the following to the visa application center:

• A printed copy of your visa application
• A valid passport
• All the supporting documents (original as well as copies)
• Passport-size photographs

Step 8: Track your Visa:

VFS has a special feature for tracking the status of your application. Therefore, if you want to get information about the application, click on “Track Your Application.”

Remember, insert your reference number and date of birth.

Step 9:Collect your passport:

Once the concerned embassy returns a decision about your visa to the VFS, you will be notified through email. Thus, you can collect your passport from the visa application center. You can also receive the visa at your doorsteps through a courier but for that, you will need to pay N 5,000.

Essential Documents Required For The Austria Visa Application:

When applying for the Austria visa from Nigeria, make sure to provide the following documents:

A Valid Passport:

A passport is an essential traveling document without which your travel is considered illegal. Therefore, when applying for an Austrian visa from Nigeria, make sure to provide a passport that is not more than 10 years old. Moreover, the passport must have at least two blank pages for the visa stamps.

Identical Photos:

Your visa application form is incomplete without your recent photos. Therefore, when submitting the documents to VFS Global, make sure to provide at least two of your passport-sized identical images. Remember, the photo must satisfy the Schengen Photo specifications.

A Well-Crafted Cover Letter:

A cover letter is a key document that conveys to the authorities the purpose of your travel. Therefore, the letter needs to be written thoughtfully. It is addressed to the visa processing authorities. Briefly introduce yourself, the travel details, your travel intentions, and the exact details about your return. 

Proof Of Accommodation:

Showing a comfortable place for a stay is mandatory. The authorities need strong proof that shows you have shelter for a stay in your destination country. Therefore, provide one of the following:

• Hotel reservation for visa application
• Invitation letter from a host (friend, sibling, or relative) showing their willingness to accommodate you wholeheartedly
• A sponsorship letter in case your visa is being sponsored 

Flight Reservation:

In addition to the abovementioned documents, also provide a proof of roundtrip itinerary. Remember, the reservation must be verifiable. The reservation is assessed by the visa processing authorities to evaluate your travel plans. Therefore, it is important to get flight reservation for visa. You can reserve a verifiable flight from SFRV Travels. We take pride in providing genuine flight tickets that can be directly verified from the website of the airline.

Proof Of Financial Sustenance:

Proof of financial Sustenance or a bank statement is paramount. Therefore, to fulfill Austria’s visa requirement, provide a recent bank statement, salary slips, or a sponsorship letter. A strong financial statement can greatly enhance the chances of visa approval.

Travel Health Insurance:

When seeking an Austrian visa from Nigeria, you need to provide health insurance coverage visa application. The insurance must be according to the Schengen criteria. The minimum coverage required for the Austria visa is €30,000. Additionally, make sure the insurance provides a safety net during injury, health collapse, death, and evacuation.  

Copy Of Previous Passport:

Provide a copy of your previous passport

Copy Of ID:

Make sure to provide a copy of your national ID card.

A Fee Breakdown Of Austria Visa From Nigeria:

Remember, you need to pay the visa fee at the Visa application center based in Lagos and Abuja. The table below illustrates the breakdown of the Visa application fee and the service charges paid to VFS Global:

Visa Type	Fee Amount in Euros	Fee Amount in Naira
Short-stay visa or Type-C visa for adults	€ 80	117,697 NGN
Short stay visa type-C visa for children between 6-12	€ 40	58,848 NGN
Short-stay visa for children between 0-6	FREE	FREE
Long-term visa or Type-D visa for adults	€ 150	220,683 NGN
Long-term visa or Type-D visa for children between 6-12	€ 75	110,341 NGN
Long-term visa for children between 0-6	Free	FREE
Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Georgia, Armenia	€ 35	51,492 NGN

Note: It is important to mention here that VFS Global charges 52,615 NGN from all visa applicants as a service charge. The amount is dynamic. It may change as per the currency exchange rate which is variable.

Who Is Exempt From The Austrian Visa?

The following table illustrates the exempted countries:

Country	Visa requirement
Members from the Schengen area (29 Schengen Countries)	Exempt
Citizens of EU	Exempt
Citizens of EEA	Exempt
Diplomatic passport holders	Exempt
A country that has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen area	Exempt
Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand	Exempt

What Countries Need A Visa To Travel To Austria?

We have enlisted some of the countries that need a visa while undertaking travel to Austria  

1	Afghanistan	13	Cambodia	26	Sudan
2	Azerbaijan	14	Republic of Congo	27	Sri Lanka
3	Algeria	15	Cuba	28	Oman
4	Angola	16	Djibouti	29	Pakistan
5	Armenia	17	Egypt	30	India
6	Bahrain	18	Turkey	31	Qatar
7	Bangladesh	19	Tunisia	32	Russia
8	Belarus	20	Yemen	33	Gambia
9	Belize	21	Thailand	34	Armenia
10	Benin	22	Nepal	35	Saudi Arabia
11	Bhutan	23	Nigeria	36	Syria
12	Bolivia	24	Kuwait	37	Indonesia

Disclaimer: The above table has enlisted some of the countries that require a valid visa to travel to Austria. There are some other countries as well that require visas. Therefore, before applying for the Austrian visa, first determine whether you require a visa or not

Types Of Austrian Visas:

Austria offers numerous visa types. However, here we categorize all visas into two Broad categories namely:

• Austria short-stay visas 
• Austria long-stay visas

Visa type	Purpose	Duration
Transit visa or (Type-A visa)	Used to transit through Schengen territory to your destination	24 hours
Short stay visa or (Type-C visa)	Applied for short visits, tourism, business, and medical visa purposes	90 days in180 days period
Long stay visa or (Type-C visa)	Employment, study, family reunification	Six months to 1 year

What Are Some Best Practices That Can Hasten The Visa Approval?

A visa application is a cumbersome process that requires a complete strategy. In case of failure, the visa may be refused. Therefore, We have collected some best practices that can enhance the chances of visa approval:

• Apply for the visa well in advance of your planned travel. Mostly, the visa is approved within 10-15 days, however, the process may be delayed for an unforeseen time. Therefore, to avoid the delay in visa approval, apply for the visa at the earliest
• While appearing for the interview, submit a complete set of documents 
• Appear for the interview well-prepared because it can have a positive impact on visa approval
• Determine a visa type that aligns with your interests
• Awareness about the updated visa policies of the host country is a key to success
• Present a strong proof of finance to show to the authorities that you can bear all the expenses on your own

Final Thoughts

Austria is an important Schengen country located in Central Europe. Owing to its scenic beauty and historically important sites, The country attracts thousands of tourists and visitors. However, for an incredible journey, one is required to collect key documents and visit the visa application center for the submission of fingerprints. Moreover, to enhance the chances of visa approval, one is required to apply for the visa well ahead of travel. 

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• Portugal Visa from Nigeria → “Captured by Portugal’s coastlines and culture? Find out how applicants from Nigeria can smoothly secure their visa.”

A little Bit About Us

At Schengen Flight Reservation for Visa, we make the often overwhelming visa process a breeze. With verifiable documents at unbeatable prices, you are covered with Flight Reservations/Itinerary/Dummy tickets, Hotel Bookings (Proof of Accommodation), and a Travel Insurance Policy. 

But that’s not all. Our services and blogs on writing a cover letter for a visa make your application process even smoother. 

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