Austrian visa resources
After you arrive in Austria
Once approved, apply for a visa D to travel, collect your residence permit in person, and register your address (Meldezettel) within three days.
Important
After the settlement authority approves your application, the consulate notifies you. If you need a visa to enter Austria to collect your permit, you must apply for a visa D within three months of that notification. Visa-exempt applicants can travel without one. On arrival you contact the competent domestic authority promptly to collect your residence-permit card in person.
Anyone taking up accommodation in Austria is also legally required to register their address with the local registration authority. This is separate from the residence-permit process but is essential for everyday life - it is often needed to open a bank account, sign contracts, or access services.
Collect your residence permit
- Apply for a visa D within three months of being notified that your application is approved (if an entry visa is needed)
- After arriving, contact the competent settlement authority promptly to collect your residence-permit card in person
- For most employment routes, you may only start work once the residence permit has been issued
Register your address (Meldezettel)
- Register your new main residence within three days of moving into your accommodation
- Use the Meldezettel form, signed by you and your accommodation provider, and bring your travel document/ID
- Register at the local registration authority: the Municipal Office, the Municipal Administration (in chartered cities), or a District Office in Vienna
- There is no fee for registration; you receive a registration confirmation (extract from the Central Register of Residents)
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.