Application Process
Applicants must personally provide the necessary paperwork to the Austrian consular or diplomatic representation in their current country of residence as part of the application process. The date of the application submission is crucial due to the severe quota restrictions for specific residency permits.
After receiving approval, the applicant must visit the Austrian embassy to obtain a special visa that enables them to fly to Austria and pick up their residence permit from the appropriate agency.
Although there is a one-month minimum processing time, applications are typically approved in three months. Once issued, the residence permit must be picked up in person from the Austrian granting office.
Additionally, if they plan to stay in Austria for longer than 24 months, all non-EU and non-EFTA citizens must sign an integration agreement. The residency and settlement permits are presented to applicants in the form of cards that are renewable annually.