If you’ve ever thought about where to study and mentioned Austria, this article is right for you. Austria is known for its beautiful culture and top universities in Europe. However, as a Nigerian student, filling out application forms and gathering the necessary documents can be challenging.
One of the most critical steps is securing your student visa to enjoy your time in Austria fully. We’ve created this guide to help you understand Austria’s student visa requirements.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you need to do and feel confident about your application.
Table of contents
- Do I Need a Visa to Study in Austria?
- Types of Austria Student Visa
- What are the Requirements for Student Visa in Austria?
- Austria Student Visa Requirements for International Students from Nigeria
- Austria Student Visa Financial Requirements
- How much Bank Balance is Required for Austria Student Visa?
- How to Apply for an Austria Student Visa?
- How Long Does it take to get an Austria Student Visa from Nigeria?
- How much is the Cost of Tuition for International Students in Austria?
- Austria Embassy Interview Questions
- Why did you choose to study in Austria?
- Out of the many universities in Austria, why did you choose this one?
- How do you intend to fund your education and stay in Austria?
- What are your plans after completing your studies?
- How do you plan to handle the language barrier?
- Do you have any family or friends in Austria?
- Can I Work in Austria on a Student Visa?
- FAQs on Austria Student Visa Requirements
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Do I Need a Visa to Study in Austria?
Like many other countries, Austria requires international students to get a visa before starting their studies. The student visa, as commonly called, allows you to stay in Austria for 90 days and over, the maximum duration allowed for tourist visits without a visa.
To apply for an Austrian student visa, you must meet certain requirements and provide specific documents. These may include proof of acceptance into an Austrian educational institution, proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay, and a valid passport.
It is, however, important to start the visa application process well before your expected departure time, as it can take some time to gather all necessary documents and complete the application.
Types of Austria Student Visa
There are two types of student visas for Austria: a short-term visa and a long-term visa. Choosing the right visa depends on how long you will study in Austria.
If you’re unsure which one to apply for, it’s best to check with the Austrian Consulate for guidance based on the length of your study program:
- Visa C (short-term): This visa allows you to stay and study in Austria for up to three months.
- Visa D (long-term): This visa is valid for up to six months and can be extended to a Student Resident Permit. You need this visa to pursue higher education or long-term studies in Austria.
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What are the Requirements for Student Visa in Austria?
The following are what you can find as the Austria student visa requirements:
- An approved Austrian student residence permit, if applicable
- Visa C or Visa D application form
- Passport photographs
- Passport-size picture of 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Confirmation letter from a higher institution in Austria
- Proof of funds (minimum €613.16 per month)
- Rental agreement or booking confirmation of stay
- Transcripts from previous schools attended
- Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 in Austria
- Your travel ticket reservation
- Proof of Family ties
- Certificate of no criminal record from your home country
Austria Student Visa Requirements for International Students from Nigeria
As a Nigerian student who’s applying for a student visa to study in Austria, the documents you must present include:
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages, was issued within the last ten years, and won’t expire during your stay in Austria.
- Visa Application Form: Print and complete the application form with accurate information. Don’t forget to sign it.
- Travel Insurance: You need a travel insurance that covers emergencies up to 30,000 euros.
- Photos: Include recent passport-sized photos with your application. Follow the specific guidelines for Austria visa photos.
- Proof of Residence: Show proof of where you’ll live, such as a dormitory reservation, campus housing, or a rental agreement.
- Travel Itinerary: Provide details about your travel plans, including flight dates, flight numbers, and departure date.
- Financial Proof: You must prove you can support yourself financially during your stay. The required amounts are:
- If you’re below 24: 552.53 euros monthly.
- If you’re above 24: 1000.48 euros monthly.
- For couples (both): 1,578.36 euros monthly.
- For each child: 37 euros monthly.
- Admission Confirmation: Include a letter from the Austrian university confirming your acceptance.
- Proof of Paid Tuition Fees: Provide a receipt or bank statement showing you have paid your university fees.
- Previous University Documents (if any): If you attended another university before, include copies of the transcripts and other valid documents.
Austria Student Visa Financial Requirements
One of the financial requirement for your student visa is that you show a financial proof that you can fund your living for a whole year in far away Austria.
To do that, students under 24 years old must demonstrate a minimum of €613.16 per month, while students 24 years and older need to show at least €1,110.26 per month.
However, if the monthly accommodation cost exceeds €372.91, you must provide additional funds to cover the difference.
For instance, if you’re a 23-year-old student getting a monthly stipend of €600. Your dorm room rent is €500 a month. Even though your total monthly amount is within the required minimum of €613.16, your rent is €127.09 higher than the allowed €372.91 for accommodation costs.
Because of this, you need to show you have at least €740.25 each month (€613.16 + €127.09) to meet the financial requirements.
Therefore, to prove you have enough money to study in Austria, you can show evidence like scholarships or grants, money in your savings account, bank deposits in your name, or letters of financial support from others.
How much Bank Balance is Required for Austria Student Visa?
For full-time students applying for an Austrian student visa, those under 24 need to show a bank balance of at least €7,357.92. Students who are 24 and older need to have at least €13,323.12 in their bank account.
How to Apply for an Austria Student Visa?
Applying for your student visa from Nigeria? Here’s what you need to do:
1. Choose a university in Austria
Before you set out on applying for your student visa, you must set things in motion and the first thing on your bucket list as a Nigerian student is to find a school in Austria that matches your educational needs.
The school must have sent you a letter of admission or acceptance before you can now proceed to apply for your visa. Because some programs have earlier deadlines than others, you should go about your student visa application considering the deadlines for summer and winter.
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2. Fill out the visa application form
This stage of your visa application will require you to download the application form and carefully fill out every section. Ensure that every information filled in is correct.
3. Gather all documents required for your application
Get your proof of fund, admission letter, travel health insurance, travel ticket reservation, and certificate of no criminal record ready. Make sure they are either in English or German. Also, be sure to check with your local embassy for specificity.
4. Schedule an appointment to submit your application
Find an appropriate time to submit your documents at the Nigerian Embassy where they’ll be cross-checked and further directives given to you.
5. Get set for an interview
Get ready for an interview at the embassy. During the interview, they’ll ask about why you want to study in Austria and your plans. We’ll consider sample questions you should expect at the embassy later in this article.
How Long Does it take to get an Austria Student Visa from Nigeria?
According to Studee.com, Austria visas process too quickly, but to be on the safer side, it is advisable to start your application process early enough. So, when the schedules are way busier at the Austrian embassy, you may need to wait up to 6 weeks to get an appointment there.
After you’re able to submit your application, you’ll need to wear another patient cap for about four weeks for a decision to come up. Within this waiting period, the embassy consulate examines your documents, assesses if you qualify, and decides on your visa application. That’s about a little over 2 months.
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How much is the Cost of Tuition for International Students in Austria?
As an international student outside the EU/EEA, your tuition fees in Austria usually fall around 726.72 EUR per semester, plus an extra 20 EUR per semester. However, many public universities waive these fees for international students from developing countries.
If you’re an irregular student, meaning you only take certain classes, you must pay 363.36 EUROs per semester, no matter where you’re from.
Also, private universities have different fees depending on the program, and international students can expect to pay between 3,000 EUR and 23,000 EUR yearly.
Austria Embassy Interview Questions
The reason for this interview is for the embassy officials processing your application to meet you in person and ask questions about your trip to Austria. Also, ensure your verbal reasons match the travel purpose you provided on your written visa application.
These interviews usually take less than 20 minutes. Knowing what to expect and how to answer them could soften the ground. So, we have compiled a list of some questions you should expect.
Why did you choose to study in Austria?
Your answer could be: “I picked Austria because it has some of the top universities in Europe, offering excellent education. The country’s rich cultural history also drew me in. Plus, studying in Austria will let me learn in a place with many cultures, which is important for my personal and professional development.“
Out of the many universities in Austria, why did you choose this one?
Look at this response and take a cue to how you want to present your response: “I chose this university because it is popular in my field of study. The program covers a lot of important topics and is taught by knowledgeable professors. I believe studying here will give me the skills and knowledge I need to succeed in my career path.“
How do you intend to fund your education and stay in Austria?
Possible answer: “I have enough money to pay for my tuition, living expenses, and other costs. My family is helping me financially, and I also have a scholarship (if applicable). Plus, I plan to work part-time to help with some of my expenses.”
What are your plans after completing your studies?
Answer: “Once I finish my studies, I want to go back to Nigeria and use what I’ve learned to help develop my country, especially in my field. But if there’s a chance to work in Austria and learn more, I’m open to that too. It would really boost my skills.“
How do you plan to handle the language barrier?
Possible answer: “I’ve been learning German to get ready for living in Austria. Even though my courses will be in English, I know how useful it is to speak German for everyday conversations and to really be part of the local life. I’m dedicated to improving my German while I’m studying in Austria.“
Do you have any family or friends in Austria?
See this sample response: “I don’t have any family in Austria, but I’ve made friends with some other students who will also be studying at the same university. I think having this group of friends will make it easier for me to get used to living in a new place.“
Can I Work in Austria on a Student Visa?
If you want to work while studying in Austria, you need to apply for a special student visa, either a C or D visa. This visa lets you get a work permit. Without it, students from countries outside the EU can’t work while studying.
Once you have a visa that allows you to work, you can usually work between 10 and 20 hours a week, depending on the specific rules of your visa. Remember, your employer must get a work permit from the state Employment Service.
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FAQs on Austria Student Visa Requirements
Yes, you need to attend a scheduled interview at the embassy for your Austrian student visa. This is so you add more impact to your written application.
Yes, applying for a student visa extension is possible if you have strong reasons for needing more time and if you’re making good progress in your studies. Just show that you have valid reasons and are doing well in your program.
You can keep working in Austria once you graduate if you have a residence permit. However, if you don’t have a work or residence permit, you’ll have to leave Austria when your student visa expires.
If your student visa application for Austria is denied, you can ask the embassy or consulate to explain why. Knowing why it was rejected will help you decide if you can appeal or apply again.
Conclusion
This guide is the cue to shoot at your chance of studying in Austria as a Nigerian. By meeting the Austrian student visa requirements listed in this article, you can be well on your way to starting an exciting academic journey.
References
- Visaguide.world – Austria Student Visa
- StudyinAustria.at – Visa
- Studee.com – How to apply for an Austria student visa
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