Austria tourist visa from India: the official document checklist, decoded

The checklist, as published

Condensed from the official document linked above; wording is the mission's, shortened. Where the mission names an official form it is listed under "Forms". Always download the current version from the source link on the day you apply.

1. Application form fully completed in English or German and signed by the applicant
2. Passport valid 3 months beyond departure from Member States, two blank pages, issued within 10 years, no handwritten amendments
3. One photograph in accordance with ICAO international standards
4. Valid permit to return, if applicable (Indian residency permit / return visa)
5. Cover letter stating purpose, duration, names of accompanying persons, transport and accommodation details
6. Round-trip flight reservation / travel itinerary, plus proof of onward travel within Austria/EU if applicable
7. Proof of accommodation: hotel reservation / tour organizer letter / other documentation of travel plans within Austria/EU
8. Travel medical insurance valid throughout Member States for entire stay, minimum EUR 30,000; multiple-entry: first visit plus signed awareness statement
9. Proof of occupation: employed = salary certificate last 3 months, employment contract, company NOC; official email or business card
10. Self-employed: GST certificate / Udyog Aadhaar / IEC / Certificate of Incorporation; retired: 3 months pension; student: enrolment proof
11. Proof of funds: original bank statements last 3 months and/or other funds; ITR with barcode for last 2 years
12. Minors: original notarized NOC by other parent (travelling with one parent) or both parents (alone), plus parents' passport/ID copies
13. Copy of present passport (data pages, last page, previous visas); copies of earlier Schengen visas/stamps or proof of loss
14. Contact details of the applicant: operational email address, mobile number and business card

Forms named by the mission

• Application Form Visum C (April 2025 version), on the embassy site
• Declaration on the checklist itself (date and signature) if the applicant insists on forwarding an incomplete file

Notes the mission attaches

• Documents must be arranged in the same order as the checklist (YES / NO / N/A tick columns).
• Passport photo per embassy visa page: ICAO criteria, colour, 35x45 mm.
• Applications cannot be lodged more than 6 months before departure; the embassy advises applying at least 1 month before travel; files received less than 15 working days before travel are returned to VFS.
• Any representative needs an original letter of authorization from the applicant plus copy of a valid photo ID.
• Fee: Schengen visa EUR 90, children 6 to 12 EUR 45; consular fees are paid in INR at the current exchange rate; no rupee amount is stated on the embassy site.
• VFS news 6 February 2026: walk-in visa applications for all categories are no longer accepted.
• English-language documents need no German translation.

What each item is for

Every Schengen checklist is Article 14(1) of the Visa Code made specific: (a) purpose of the journey, (b) accommodation, (c) means of subsistence for the stay and the return, (d) information enabling an assessment of your intention to leave before the visa expires. Read the list above with those four heads in mind: bookings and invitations answer (a) and (b); bank statements, salary slips and tax returns answer (c); employment, business, family and property papers answer (d). Our documents guide explains each head, and the cover-letter guide shows how to make them agree.

For tourism the itinerary is the anchor: coherent dates, cities and bookings that stay live through the decision. Cancelled-looking reservations are the classic route to ground 10 on the refusal form.

Processing time, as stated by the mission

"Processing can take up to 15 working days after receiving the application; in individual cases that period may be extended up to 45 calendar days, particularly when further scrutiny of the application is needed. Embassy visa page: as a rule the processing time of an admissible application should not exceed 15 calendar days; if further checks are necessary it may increase to 45 calendar days." (source) The Visa Code sets 15 calendar days from an admissible application, extendable to 45 (Article 23).

Austria's record for applications lodged in India

In 2025 Austria decided 48,761 applications lodged in India and refused 21.6% (all-India average 15.7%); 28.4% of visas issued were multiple-entry. Its consulates: New Delhi (21.6%). Which one handles you depends on your state of residence: see the Austria country page.