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Austria is a country of wonderful contrasts, from the soaring Alps to the verdant swathes of the Danube Valley. This European beauty is noted as much for its historical buildings, awe-inspiring museums and galleries, as for its world-class skiing conditions and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Once the snow has melted, walk and hike through the Alps' varied landscapes, ranging from forests and green slopes to glaciers and rocks. The Vorarlberg's alpine pastures provide gentle walks, while the Hohe Tauern National Park has more demanding trekking.
Go to the Opera in style; besides the many opera performances in Austria's major towns and cities, for one with a difference, journey to Bregenz and the Upper City with its
St Martinstrum (St Martin's Tower), the world's largest floating stage for summer opera productions.
Admire traditional Austrian attire at the annual Lederhosen Festival in Windischgarsten , where the wearing of the aforementioned costume is optional , but drinking good beer and chuckling at the election of Miss Lederhose is compulsory.
Information Hide
Best time to go: Year round
Capital: Vienna
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dialling code from SA: 0043
Language: German
Time: UT + 1(UT+2 last Sun in March to last Sat before last Sun in Oct)
This information should be used as a guide only. Please confirm requirements with the consulate or embassy.
Any visa issued by Austria will aslo be valid in the following Schengen countries:
Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
See Schengen countries for terms and conditions of a Schengen short stay visa.
An airport transit visa is not required for SA citizens if they are staying in the transit lounge.
Visas are required by SA passport holders for a stay of any length of time.
Holders of ‘British National (overseas)’ passports need a visa.
SA temporary passports are NOT accepted for entry into Austria.
ISSUING AUTHORITIES:
a) Austrian Embassy
Momentum Park Office Building, 1st Floor
1109 Duncan St., Brooklyn, PRETORIA 0181.
PO Box 95572 Waterkloof 0145.
Tel: (012) 452-9155 (switchboard) Fax: (012) 460-1151
Consular hours: Mon-Thur 09h00 - 12h00
(Telephone enquiries 1400 - 1600)
VISA SECTION IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS
E-mail: pretoria-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Appointments are compulsory. Visa applications by mail (SA post office), Visa-agencies or courier services are NOT accepted by the Pretoria Embassy.
b) Austrian Consulate General,
1 Thibault Square, 3rd Floor, CAPE TOWN 8001.
P O Box 6887 Roggebaai 8012
Tel: (021) 421-144O/1 Fax: (021) 425-3489.
Consular hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 09h00-12h00.
Closed Tue & Thurs to the public
E-mail: kapstadt-gk@bmeia.gv.at
Appointments are compulsory.
REQUIREMENTS: See “Multi-Destinations” for application procedures.
NOTE: All applicants 18 years and older need to apply in person.
APPOINTMENT SYSTEM:
An appointment has to be arranged through the call centre no longer than two months before the intended date of departure.
Call centre : (011) 461 3398 or 087 940 3471 (Monday to Friday 0800-1700)
It falls under the responsibility of the applicant to appear on time. Applicants who show up late will have to apply for a new appointment. When calling for an appointment the following information must be given by the applicant:
*Name and number of applicant(s)
*Type of applicant's passport and applicant's main domicile
*Contact number of applicant (s)
*Credit card details for the call centre fee (A call centre fee of EURO13.58 payable in local currency applies) OR
Applicants who do not have a Master or Visa credit card, can access the Visa Information Service using a PIN, which can be bought at any branch of Pick n Pay. Price of the PIN is EURO17.44 and it can be used to schedule a family of up to 5 members. The PIN is valid for one year after the purchase and it can be used for one call. When applicants buy a PIN they need to wait until the next business day for the PIN to become active.
PROCESSING TIME:
RSA passport holders: 5 working days (up to 7 days during holiday season).
Foreign passport holders: can take up to 3 weeks
All visa applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before departure date.
Please NOTE:
• Applications can only be processed once all supporting documents have been received. • Urgent/Same Day visas will not be issued under any circumstances.
* Visas can only be processed once all supporting documents have been received.
Cost: (subject to change) Fees are non-refundable and have to be paid in cash on application (payable in ZAR at current exchange rate – check with the Embassy/Consulate for the exact rate)
Administrative costs for processing of visas (non-ref):
• SCHENGEN VISA: EURO 60.00 and EURO 35.00 (children aged 6-12 years), payable in ZAR (exact amount)
• National Visa D: EURO 75.00
Additional Visa Requirements to the Standard Schengen visa requirements: If visiting and staying with friends or family in Austria (without financial sponsorship):
• Invitation letter confirming accommodation
• Copy of proof of residence (“Meldezettel” or “Unterkunftsbestätigung”) of host.
• Copies of relevant pages of passport of your host . NOTE: from non-Austrian citizens additional proof of valid Austrian Residence permit (copy) is required.
If visit is supported & paid for by a sponsor residing in Austria:
• Electronic affidavit (elektronische Verpflichtungserklarung" - EVE) which can be obtained by the host from the nearest aliens police ("Fremdenpolizei") in Austria.
Business Travellers: If the visit is for business purposes the company in Austria, RSA or in another Schengen country should provide an invitation letter in original outlining the links between the companies and the purpose of the trip. If the Austrian company is paying for the trip (accommodation, medical insurance, daily allowance etc) an electronic affidavit must be provided.
All children under 18 years:
A full or unabridged birth certificate is to be submitted, irrespective if the child is travelling with the parents or not.
Proof of sufficient funds :
*Original bank statements of the past 3 months (internet printouts will NOT be accepted)
Copy of Travel/Health/Accident insurance with minimum medical coverage EURO 30,000 or SOS International cover from Discovery Health plus a copy of the medical aid card.
Group Applications: Apart from the above mentioned please note the following requirements:
• A fully completed itinerary with all the details regarding addresses and contact persons.
Participants in cultural, scientific or
sport events:
• Invitation letter of the Austrian organizer specifying the event (incl financial support, accommodation and medical insurance) OR
• Bank drafts as proof of payment to the Austrian organizer etc have to be submitted
PLEASE NOTE: Tour operators handling the visa applications for tourist groups to Austria are kindly requested to contact the Embassy/Consulate by telephone.
PLEASE NOTE the passport photograph required is very specific. It is advisable to get a copy faxed or e-mailed from the Embassy of the exact requirements re the photograph.
Processing time for groups less than 40 people: at least 2 weeks and for groups over 40 people at a minimum of 4 weeks in advance before departure date.
Visas for a period longer than 90 days or for the purpose of taking up employment are not subject to the Schengen agreement. They are still subject to the national legislation of the country of destination. They must be applied for with the consular authorities of the country concerned.
Additional documents may be requested depending on the individual case.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION YOU ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO SUBMIT YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:
1. PASSPORT plus 2 colour photographs
2. APPLICATION FORM completed and signed by the applicant
3. COPY OF THE FLIGHT RESERVATION
4.COPY OF INSURANCE POLICY
5. PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION
6. INVITATION LETTER, COPY OF HOST'S PASSPORT, POLICE REGISTRATION (when staying with family/friends in Austria)
7. EMPLOYER'S/PENSION/RETIREMENT/UNIVERSITY/SCHOOL LETTER
8. PARENTAL CONSENT
9. BANK STATEMENTS
NOTE: When travelling with a family, copy of flight reservation and insurance with each application, remaining documents with the main application.
SA REPRESENTATIVE
SA Embassy
Sandgasse 33,A-1190, Vienna
Tel: 0043 1 320-6493
Fax: 0043 1 320-0814
E-mail: viena.ambassador@foreign.gov.za
Web: www.saembvie.at