Who can get an Austrian family reunification visa?

Austrian citizens or people with a residence permit can apply for a reunification visa for their family members who are third-country nationals. Relevant family members include:

• Spouses.
• Registered same-sex partner.
• Children under 18 years of age.
• Partners in long-term relationships (under certain circumstances).
• Other relatives (under certain circumstances).

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A family visa is issued to family members who have special permits:

• Holders of a red-white-red card (work visa holders) or an EU Blue Card.
• Holders of the red-white-red Plus card.
• Holders of a long-term residence permit in Austria.
• Holders of a settlement permit (for self-employed people).
• Settlement permit holders (for researchers).
• Holders of a special settlement permit (for special cases of independent paid activity).
• Holders of a residence or permanent residence permit.
• Holders of a residence permit in accordance with Article 50 of the EUV.

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Requirements for family reunification in Austria

To get an Austrian family reunification visa, you must meet some general criteria. First, your family member must have a residence permit (see above) or have Austrian citizenship.  Secondly, you have to prepare some documents for applying:

• The passport. You must have a valid passport, meaning your document must be valid during your stay in Austria and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
• Copies of your previous passport (if any). 
• Financial resources. You must provide proof that you can financially support yourself as a resident of Austria and that you will not depend on social security. Your income must be equivalent to (or higher than) the standard income in Austria.
• A photo. You must provide one recent face photo.
• Visa application form. You must print out the form and fill it out with your personal data.
• Travel insurance. You must have insurance in accordance with the Schengen travel insurance rules.
• * Please note that family members with a red-white-red card, an EU blue card, or their relatives who are Austrian citizens are usually covered by relative insurance.
• Birth certificate. You must also provide a birth certificate.
• Certificate of non-criminal record. 
• A marriage certificate. A marriage certificate confirming your relationship with an Austrian resident.
• Divorce certificate (if any).
• Adoption documents. If you have adoptive parents, these documents must be attached to the application. Foster children too.
• The certificate of relationship registration. If your relationship is registered in your country of residence, you must also attach a copy of the certificate to the rest of the documents.
• A family certificate. You must also provide a family certificate confirming your relationship with the sponsor.
• The proof of residence. You must provide proof that you have accommodation in Austria. This can be a lease agreement with the landlord or at the place of residence of your sponsor.
• Travel itinerary. You must also provide a detailed flight departure program, arrival date, flight number, and so on.
• The proof of German language proficiency. You must provide a certificate from an accredited institution that you speak German at a basic A1 level.

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Please note that all your documents must be originals and copies, and civil documents such as marriage certificate, divorce document, birth certificate, etc. must be apostilled.

All your documents must be in German or English, if not, they must be translated.

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From your sponsor (relative) in Austria, you will need to provide copies:

• Their passport.
• Their citizenship is "Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis".
• Lease agreement.
• Registration form "Meldezettel".
• Income statement for the last three months.

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When should you apply for a family reunification visa?

You must apply after your family member receives a residence permit, as you will need to provide proof of your sponsor's residence status when applying.

If your sponsor already has a permit or citizenship, you can apply when you are ready. But be sure to do so at least 3 weeks before departure.

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How do I apply for a family reunification visa in Austria?

When the time comes to apply for a family reunification visa in Austria, make sure that you:

• Printed out and filled out the questionnaire. This is one of the most important documents you need to apply for a visa, so make sure you finish it first.
• Collected all the documents. Make sure that all your documents are translated (if necessary), legalized, and updated.
• Made an appointment. You should make an appointment at your local embassy/consulate to submit your application documents.
• Preparing for an interview. You will probably be asked to sit down for an interview and answer questions about the nature of your application. If you plan to reunite with your spouse, you will most likely be asked questions about how you met, your favorite things, the names of their family members, and so on.
• Wait for a response. Once your application is processed, you will receive a response, and then you can travel to Austria.

* Please note that after entering Austria, you have 3 days to register at the local registration office.

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How long is a family visa valid?

As a rule, an Austrian family visa is valid for up to 12 months. You can extend your visa until it expires or apply for a residence permit. However, the validity period of your visa may vary depending on the type of residence of your family member.

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Can you extend your Austrian family visa?

Yes, you can extend your visa until it expires. Don't forget to apply for an extension at least three months in advance.

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Can family visa holders work in Austria?

You can work with a family visa. You can also work if you have a Red-White-Red card plus. However, sometimes you may be limited to work depending on the type of accommodation that your sponsor has.

Keep in mind that if you apply for a settlement permit that restricts your access to the labor market, you will not be able to work. These permissions include:

- Depends on the settlement permit.

- Settlement permit - except for paid work.

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How much does the family reunification an Austrian visa cost?

The cost of an Austrian family reunification visa is:

- When applying:

• For people over 6 years of age: 120 euros.
• For children under 6 years of age: 75 euros.

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- When obtaining a visa:

• For people over 6 years of age: 20 euros.
• For children under 6 years old: 50 euros.
• You may also be asked to pay for additional requirements.

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Can you get permanent residence on a family visa to Austria?

If you have legally lived in Austria for five years, you can apply for a long – term EU resident permit, which is valid for about 10 years.

You need to complete module 2 of the integration agreement and meet the general requirements to obtain the status of a "long-term EU resident".

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What is an integration agreement?

The integration agreement consists of two modules that third-country nationals must complete in order to obtain a residence permit, residence permit or citizenship.

Module 1 is considered completed if you can confirm that you have received a basic knowledge of German. Level A1 according to the pan European framework. You can provide a certificate which is confirmed your knowledge from an accredited school:

1. Austrian language diploma in German (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch).
2. Goethe-Institut eV.
3. Telc GmbH.
4. Austrian integration Foundation (Österreichischer Integrationsfonds).

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Module 2 is considered completed if you can confirm your knowledge of German at the B2 level and basic knowledge of the Austrian legal system and social rules. The Austrian Integration Foundation will check whether you have completed the module 2 or not.

*Depending on your residence permit or rank, you may only be asked to complete the module 1.

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Can you get Austrian citizenship on a family visa?

Yeah. In general, to apply for Austrian citizenship, you must have at least 10 years of residence in Austria, 5 of which must be on a residence permit.

However, you also need to meet other conditions; confirmation of passing the modules 1 and 2 of the integration agreement, the confirmation of no criminal record, and a certificate of stable income.

How do I get Austrian citizenship?

There are several ways to obtain Austrian citizenship:

1. By Origin.

Children automatically become Austrian citizens regardless of their place of birth, if their mother is an Austrian citizen. The same applies to cases where the parents are married and only the father is an Austrian citizen.

2. Based on marriage to an Austrian citizen.

Austrian citizenship on the basis of marriage can be obtained if you live together in an official marriage for at least 5 years.

3. Based on investment.

Obtaining Austrian citizenship for investment is possible with a contribution of 10 million euros or more and with a significant contribution to the development of the country (creation of innovative technologies and new jobs).

4. Through naturalization.

It is possible to obtain Austrian citizenship by naturalization after at least 6 years of legal residence in Austria and subject to proof of integration into society.

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Obtaining Austrian citizenship on the basis of naturalization

Naturalization is the legal process of obtaining Austrian citizenship based on the applicant's voluntary desire.

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Procedure for obtaining Austrian citizenship based on naturalization

In order to obtain an Austrian passport based on Naturalization, a foreigner must go through several stages.

1. The first stage: obtaining a residence permit in Austria on the basis of business, employment, family reunification or under the program for financially independent foreigners without the right to work.
2. The second stage: after 5 years of residence with a residence permit, registration of a permanent resident of Austria card.
3. The third stage: at least after 6 years of residence in Austria, if special conditions are met, you can apply for an Austrian passport and citizenship.

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Conditions for obtaining Austrian citizenship through naturalization

In order to obtain Austrian citizenship on the basis of naturalization the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• The applicant must reside in Austria and have a center of vital interests there (family connection, employment, availability of real estate or business, etc.). At the same time, the applicant can’t stay outside Austria for more than 183 days a year.
• Confirm the availability of a stable and sustainable source of income for yourself and each member of your family.
• Successfully pass the test of knowledge of the language, history and culture of Austria.
• Confirm the absence of criminal records both in Austria and abroad.
• Provide certificates of absence of tax arrears in Austria.

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Required period of residence in Austria to obtain citizenship

6 years of residence in Austria, provided that the applicant who speaks German at the B2 level and has a high integration into Austrian society. Also, spouses of Austrian citizens have the right to apply for Austrian citizenship after 6 years of residence, provided that they have lived together in a legal marriage for at least 5 years.

10 years of residence and at least 5 years of permanent residence permit. You need to know German at the B1 level and a basic knowledge of the culture and history of Austria.

15 years of living in Austria and the proof of good integration into Austrian society.

After 30 years of living in Austria, there are no requirements for passing a test of knowledge of the country's language, history and culture.

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Austrian citizenship for investment

Please note that under the terms of the program, the applicant and his family are not immediately issued an Austrian passport. The investor receives a residence permit for special reasons, and after 2 years has the right to obtain Austrian citizenship.

To obtain Austrian citizenship through investment, the applicant must invest at least 10 million euros in the country's economy (direct investment only), create jobs and get approval from the Austrian state authorities.

Passive investments are not suitable for participating in the program. Also, you can't get Austrian citizenship when buying real estate.

To obtain an Austrian passport based on investment, there are no requirements for passing a language exam or for permanent residence in the country.

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Dual citizenship in Austria

Austria does not allow dual citizenship. According to the Citizenship Act, you must renounce your previous citizenship in order to obtain an Austrian passport.

However, there are exceptions in which an Austrian passport can be obtained as a second one:

• when obtaining citizenship for investment, the applicant can retain their current citizenship;
• when granting Austrian citizenship on the basis of special conditions and merits (for outstanding achievements in the field of sports, culture or science);

if a child of Austrian citizens was born outside of Austria, he has the right to retain 2 citizenships.

Questions and answers about Temporary protection in Austria: https://www.bmi.gv.at/ukraine/files/145_2022_FAQUkraine_Homepage_UKRAINISCH_V20220321.pdf 

Information on assistance centers for persons with "Temporary Protection" status:

Sport & Fun-Halle Leopoldstadt, Engerthstrasse 267-269, 1020 Vienna. Tel: +431/400051302

Registration and Consulting Center, Austria Center Vienna, Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1, 1220 Vienna. Tel: +431/260690

Social security for persons with "Temporary Protection" status: https://start.wien.gv.at/ukraine 

The Vienna Humanitarian Center of Arrival provides the following services:

- First aid

- Search for temporary housing

- Medical and psychosocial care

- Food and drink

- Information on orientation in Vienna

- Testing for coronavirus

Medical care: Everyone living in Vienna must have health insurance. While there is no clear regulation for people from Ukraine who have the status of "Temporary Protection", you can get free medical care in the following institutions:

Humanitarian Center for the Arrival of Vienna: Engerthstraße 267-269, 1020 Vienna

Amber-Med Medical Center: Oberlaaer Straße 300 - 30, 1230 Vienna

Neunerhaus Wellness Center: Margaretenstraße 166 / EG, 1050 Vienna

Barmherzigen Brüder Hospital Vienna: Johannes von Gott Platz 1, 1020 Vienna

The AkutBetreuung Wien (ABW) is an organization based in the city of Vienna. Specialists in the field of psycho-social issues accompany the victims after the usually aggravating events. AkutBetroyung Vienna can be contacted by phone at +43 676 8118 98698 (24 hours a day).

Possibility to extend short stays and visas for citizens of Ukraine - at the state level it was decided to extend visa-free stay 90/180 in the country - if at the time of the war a person was already in Austria (you must contact the Aliens Service at the place of residence in Austria.

For seasonal workers, or those who have grounds for obtaining a D visa (study, work, etc.) - you can also apply for a D visa at the nearest Austrian diplomatic missions abroad (Consulate General in Munich or the Austrian Embassy in Slovakia / Bratislava).

Should I apply for refugee status?

You can apply for refugee status, but it is very different from the status of people who have the status of "Temporary Protection".

Refugee status (Asyl) means submitting your documents, not being able to return home at the moment, not having the right to work right away. The EU has developed a new status for Ukrainians - the German Kriegsvetriebene. Registration will soon be possible in the competent authorities of Austria. This status provides for the possibility of staying in Austria legally for 1 year (currently until 03.03.2023) with a possible extension of the stay. This status will provide health insurance, the right to work (possibly - discussed - certain groups of professions), financial assistance.

Is it possible to cross the border without a biometric passport?

Yes, entry without a biometric document is allowed.

What to do if the passport expires?

It is necessary to apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria (1180 Wien, Naaffgasse 23) during the reception hours of the consular unit in a live queue for a request to extend the passport.

What to do if you have a child without a passport?

It is necessary to apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria (1180 Wien, Naaffgasse 23) during the reception hours of the consular unit in a live queue with a request to enter information about the child and paste a photo of the child in the passport of parents / legal representatives.

Crossing the border with pets

It is allowed, it is desirable to have a veterinary passport (Austria passes without the need to provide medical certificates on the current veterinary examination of animals or a certificate of blood test for titration of antibodies to rabies virus).

Links to official information sources for persons from Ukraine who have the status of "Temporary Protection"

https://help.unhcr.org/austria/de/informationen-fuer-ukrainische-staatsbuergerinnen/hilfe-in-oesterreich/ 

https://start.wien.gv.at/ukraine 

https://helpforukraine.at/

Caritas Entry, Stay and Accommodation Hotline: +43 5 1776 380 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00).

Federal Agency for Care and Support (Bundesagentur für Betreuungs- und Unterstützungsleistungen - BBU) hotline for temporary residence in German, Ukrainian and Russian: +43 1 2676 870 9460.

Federal Agency for Care and Support (Bundesagentur für Betreuungs- und Unterstützungsleistungen - BBU) on legal issues in German, Ukrainian and Russian: +43 1 2676870 9461.

AkutBetreuung Wien (ABW) can be contacted by phone at +43 676 8118 98698 (24 hours a day).

Contacts with the Ukrainian community:

Ukrainian Church of St. Barbara

http://st-barbara-austria.org/de/ 

https://storinka.at/