To obtain a residence title, you must meet the specific conditions of the title and prove that you meet the general conditions for residence titles in Austria, in particular:
As a student, you can obtain a temporary residence permit student (Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student) if you are registered for a course of study at an Austrian institution for higher education.
Where and how to apply | You must, in general, apply for your residence title and visa in your home country before entering Austria. You should submit your application to the competent representation authority in your country and wait for the decision. In specific cases, you can apply in Austria after legal entry and during your legal stay (e.g. if you do not need a visa to enter Austria during your visa free stay). In order to prolong your residence title or change its purpose in time, you must make an in-country application. Such applications are submitted to the competent regional administrative authority or magistrate (e.g. in Vienna) before expiry of the most recent residence title. You may be able to wait for the decision while in Austria. All applications must be submitted in person. |
Documents required | Your documents must prove that you meet the specific and general conditions for the residence title. |
Duration of validity of permits | Student residence permits are issued for maximum of one year [two years in case of participation in a mobility programme], renewable only if you prove educational achievement. |
Further requirements | N/A |
Appeals | Applications submitted from outside of Austria can be refused by the competent Austrian representation authority abroad for formal reasons. You can appeal against decisions of the representation authority at the Federal Administrative Court. Appeals against decisions of the regional administrative authority or magistrate can be filed at the Provincial Administrative Court. Decisions of the regional Public Employment Service can be appealed before the Federal Administrative Court. Further appeals can be filed at the Administrative High Court, or the Constitutional Court if the decision was based on unlawful grounds or violated constitutional rights. |
Further information |
Employment during studies | You are allowed to work provided that you are granted an employment permit by the Public Employment Service and your primary purpose of stay, i.e. education, is not jeopardised. A labour market test is not applied for 20 hours weekly employment. |
Employment after studies | After completion of your studies, you can receive written confirmation of the legality of your stay for a further twelve months to seek employment according to your graduation level. You must submit the application before your temporary residence permit student (Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student) expires. If you find an appropriate job within six months and fulfil the requirements, you can then apply for a Red-White-Red – Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte). For more information, see Red-White-Red – Card under ‘employed workers’. |
Change of activity | You can change the purpose of your residence permit if you fulfil the requirements for the new permit. |
Mobility
Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to study in Austria? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.
Students who hold a valid residence permit issued by another Member State and who are covered by a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions are allowed to enter and stay in Austria in order to carry out part of their studies in a higher education institution for a period up to 360 days, subject to the conditions laid down in Directive (EU) 2016/801.
If you are not covered by a programme or agreement, you can apply for a new permit/visa in Austria (please see here).