Austria family visit visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Austria family visit Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇦🇹 Austria·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Austria
Type
C · FAMILY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededVisiting family / friends — short stay (Type C) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 12
Competent authority
By state of residence: Consulate General New York, Embassy Washington D.C., or Consulate General Los Angeles.
Application centre
VFS Global (New York, Chicago).
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
$35
Est. total (adult)
$135
Long stay (Type D)
—
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in USD · centre: VFS Global.
Fee notes
VFS Global (Chicago, Houston, Miami, NY, SF, DC). Service ~$30-45. National D not confirmed.
Timeline
high confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
3–10 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
Competitive. VFS releases slots in batches that fill fast; no waitlist. Realistically 2-8 weeks; guidance is to allow 2-3 months total lead time. Tightens before summer and Christmas-market season.
Application centre
VFS Global (Washington DC, Houston, Miami, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco). Strict jurisdiction-by-US-state: three consular districts (Embassy Washington; Consulate General New York; Consulate General Los Angeles); you may only use VFS centres tied to your district.
Timeline notes
Official BMEIA: decision usually within 15 business days of receipt of a complete application, extendable to 45. Main US friction is jurisdiction-by-state routing plus appointment scarcity.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
Per day
Case-by-case
Minimum
—
In EUR ≈
as shown
Notes
Austria's official Annex 25 notification states there are NO fixed reference amounts; entry may be refused under Art. 41(2) Aliens Act if means are insufficient, but assessment is case-by-case on purpose, type and duration of stay. Unofficial embassy guidance cites ~EUR 100/day but this is NOT a notified figure.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Host in Austria sponsoring the applicantElectronic declaration of liability (Elektronische Verpflichtungserklaerung / EVE) plus host's passport, Meldebestaetigung and accommodation proof.
- Visiting an EU/EEA/Swiss family memberInsurance and fee exempt; provide copy of EU/EEA/Swiss national's passport, marriage/relationship certificate and flight tickets showing joint travel.
- Minors under 18Parental consent/power of attorney (notarized if a parent is absent), full birth certificate, copies of both parents' passports.