Description
Please note that the British “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National,” “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National,” or “Permanent Residence Card according to EU Directive 2004/38/EC” no longer qualifies for visa-free travel after the end of the Transition period (31 Dec 2020).
If you plan to travel alone, you must apply for a regular Schengen visa, and regular visa fees will apply. However, if you are traveling with your non-Austrian EU/EEA/Swiss family member, the visa will be granted free of charge, and no additional documentation is required apart from the travel plans of both you and the non-Austrian EU family member, as well as the document that confirms the family membership (birth certificate, marriage certificate).
Every applicant, including children and infants, must personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click on “Do I need a visa?“ to find out.
Family members of non-Austrian EU/EEA and Swiss citizens (excluding family members of Austrians and UK citizens) may be eligible for a simplified procedure. The following family members of non-Austrian EEA/EU and Swiss nationals are entitled to apply for a Schengen visa as a non-Austrian EEA/EU Family member, which requires fewer documents than regular tourists and exempts them from paying the applicable visa fee when traveling together with their non-Austrian EEA/EU or Swiss family member:
- Spouse
- Child(ren)
- Registered partner
In order to ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements and procedures. Please note that the following information pertains to applicants who do not hold Austrian EEA/EU or Swiss Family member status.
If an applicant is traveling without their non-Austrian EEA/EU or Swiss Family member, they are not eligible to apply as a non-Austrian EEA/EU Family member. Instead, they must apply for a Tourist visa. This entails providing all the necessary documents and paying the applicable visa fee.
However, if the applicant holds one of the UK residence permits and is traveling without their EEA/EU or Swiss Family member, they are also required to apply for a Tourist visa. The same process applies, which involves submitting the required documents and paying the applicable visa fee.
To be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a valid passport or travel document.
2. Hold a valid UK residence permit. It is important to note that if the applicant holds a short stay visa for the UK (C type visa), they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence.
Documents Required
Please note that as of the end of the Transition period (31 Dec 2020), the British “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National,” “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National,” or “Permanent Residence Card according to EU Directive 2004/38/EC” no longer qualifies for visa-free travel.
If you plan to travel alone, you must apply for a regular Schengen visa and pay the applicable visa fees. However, if you are traveling with a non-Austrian EU/EEA/Swiss family member, the visa will be granted free of charge, and no additional documentation is required apart from the travel plans of both you and the non-Austrian EU family member, as well as the document that confirms your family membership (birth certificate, marriage certificate).
Please note that the list of documents provided below is not exhaustive, and the Mission may request additional information or documents if necessary.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, no older than one month, and must be provided for every Schengen visa application.
Applicants are required to bring and present their original documents, but only need to submit photocopies unless otherwise specified.
Before gathering the required documents listed below, we strongly recommend that applicants review the requirements outlined in the Overview section to ensure they are eligible to apply for the desired visa category.
For information regarding minors, please refer to minors section.
Standard Documentation for Schengen Visa Application
To ensure a smooth and successful Schengen visa application process, it is essential to provide the following documents:
- Visa Application Form (original) – Please refer to the link provided for the official application form.
- Passport (original) – Your passport must have a minimum of two blank pages specifically designated for visa purposes. Additionally, it should be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area. Furthermore, the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of departure from the Schengen Area.
- Extended Passport – While an extended passport may still be valid, it is important to note that if it is older than 10 years, it will no longer be acceptable. In such cases, applicants must first apply for a new passport.
- Photocopies of Previous Schengen Visas – If applicable, please provide photocopies of any Schengen visas issued within the last 3 years.
- UK Residence Permit – A valid UK residence permit, either endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card, is required. It must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area. Please note that a C type visitor visa, as indicated in the provided link, is not acceptable.
- Photograph (original) – Please refer to the link provided for specifications regarding the required photograph.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
Please provide the original passport or ID card of the non-Austrian EEA/EU and Swiss national (to be presented for verification).
Additionally, we kindly request proof of your relationship to the non-Austrian EEA/EU and Swiss national, such as a marriage or birth certificate (original to be presented). If these documents are not in English or German, a certified translation by a translator in the UK is required.
Lastly, please provide your current address in Austria.
Photo Specification
Please ensure that you include a recent color photograph of yourself, taken within the last six months, adhering to the following specifications:
- Background: The photograph should be taken against a plain light background, preferably white or off-white. This will ensure that your features are clearly distinguishable and stand out against the background.
- Clarity: The photograph must be of high quality, with your face in sharp focus. This will enable us to accurately verify your identity.
- Facial expression: Please maintain a non-smiling expression in the photograph. Additionally, avoid wearing sunglasses, hats, caps, or any head covering, unless it is worn due to religious beliefs or ethnic background.
- Printing: The photograph should be printed on regular photographic paper, as obtained from a camera print. This will ensure that the image is clear and of suitable quality.
- Attachment: Please securely attach (glue) the photograph to the Visa Application Form.
In the event that the submitted photographs fail to meet these requirements, the visa application will be considered incomplete. In such cases, the applicant will be requested to obtain new photographs from the photo booth available at the visa application center.
Processing Time
Applicants are advised to submit their Schengen visa application up to 6 months prior to their intended travel date to the Schengen Area.
It is important to note that the minimum processing time for a visa application is 2 weeks. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants allow sufficient time between their appointment date and travel date for the Mission to process their visa application.
However, it is important to understand that delays may occur, and no guarantees can be given regarding the return date of the visa application.
For certain nationalities, the visa application requires consultation from other Schengen countries, which may extend the minimum processing time to 3 weeks. To avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is crucial that the application is complete, and all submitted documents meet the requirements of the Mission. Please refer to the “Documents Required” section for the specific visa categories.
Applicants should also be aware that during busy seasons such as Easter, Summer holidays (July and August), and Christmas, appointment slots are quickly filled as the Mission can only process a limited number of visa applications on a daily basis. Additionally, it is important to consider that Mission closures and holidays may further extend the processing time of the visa application.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended the following to all applicants:
- Book your appointment as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
2. Ensure that all documentation in your visa application meets the requirements of the Mission.
3. Allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to review your application.
Applicants who submit their visa application in our satellite centers in Manchester or Edinburgh should calculate an additional 2-3 working days to the minimum processing time. This is because their application will first be dispatched to the London office, and then forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
It is important to note that the Mission may request additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview at any time during the application process.
Downloads
You may access and download all the relevant forms from this location.
Sample Visa Form Word: Sample vis -Schengen-WORD.docx
Sample Visa Form PDF: Sample vis -Schengen-WORD.pdf
Online Application form: new-application-form-2020.pdf
EU/EEA Checklist: Checklist
Free Consultation
In order to begin your visa application process, we respectfully request that you complete the enclosed sample form (available in either PDF or Word format) in its entirety. If at any point you are unsure about any of the information required, please leave it blank. Once the form is complete, please submit it to us, along with a copy of your passport and BRP card/UK residency documentation, as well as any past Schengen visas that you may have previously obtained.
Please send the required documents via email to sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk.
Upon receipt of these documents, we will arrange a free consultation call to further discuss your application and take the necessary next steps. For any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at +442035001580.
We place utmost importance on data privacy and protection, ensuring that all your personal information is handled, stored, and deleted in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy. You can have complete peace of mind knowing that your data is safeguarded with the highest level of security measures.
