If you come from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and you plan to study in Austria for more than six months, you need a Residence Permit Student. The German name is Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student. You apply once an Austrian institution has admitted you, and the residence authority has 90 days to decide. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need this permit at all.
Who needs the permit, and who does not
The permit is for third-country nationals, meaning people who are not EU citizens, not other EEA citizens and not Swiss. It is a temporary residence title without the intention of settling. If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, skip this page and look at what applies to you instead. Higher education in Austria is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and you have your own entry rules.
Family members of a permit holder can be issued a separate permit for family reunion. That is a different application, so ask the authority about it.
Not sure where you fit? Our guide to international students in Austria walks through the basics first.
What you must be studying
The permit is tied to your enrolment, so the type of programme matters. You qualify if you are doing one of these:
- A degree programme at a university, university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), accredited private university, or a public or private university college of teacher education.
- A non-degree programme of at least 40 ECTS credits, as long as it does not serve only to learn a language.
- A non-degree programme in a University Preparation Programme, to prepare for supplementary examinations set out in your admission decision.
- A non-degree programme to establish the equivalence of a foreign degree (Nostrifizierung).
- On extension only: a professional training course required by law after your degree, such as court practice.
Just attending a few individual courses is normally not enough. There is one exception: if you passed your supplementary examination and can only sit an admissions or aptitude test in the following semester, you may get a further permit.
Still choosing where to apply? Start with our programme search and check each institution's admission rules.
Where and how you apply
Most people apply in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The representation checks that your file is complete and forwards it to the residence authority in Austria. If the decision is positive, you apply for a visa D, which is issued for four months, travel to Austria and collect the permit in person.
If you are allowed to enter Austria without a visa, you can apply at the local residence authority after you arrive. Do it as soon as possible. Applying does not give you the right to wait in Austria for the outcome. If your visa-free time or your visa runs out before you have collected the permit, you have to leave.
The OeAD advises submitting your documents at least three months before you plan to enter, and six months ahead if you can. Legalising foreign documents can take months, and appointment slots take time too.
Once the embassy tells you the authority has accepted your application, you have three months to apply for the visa D. You then have six months in total to collect the permit in Austria.
The documents you need
Send photocopies with your signed application form and show the originals. The core list looks like this:
- A valid passport, plus a copy of all pages for a first application.
- A colour passport photo, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, not older than six months.
- The admission decision (Zulassungsbescheid), or a confirmation of enrolment if you apply inside Austria.
- Proof of sufficient funds, shown for twelve months in advance. See supporting yourself for the amounts and accepted evidence.
- Proof of health insurance covering all risks.
- Proof of accommodation in Austria for at least three months.
- A police clearance certificate from your country of residence, not older than three months, legalised and translated.
- A declaration of your regular expenses, such as loans or maintenance payments.
For a renewal you add proof of academic success, confirmation of continuing enrolment and your record of studies. Doctoral students provide a confirmation of progress from their supervisor.
The OeAD recommends German documents. English is accepted in some cases. Foreign documents usually need legalisation, and translations must come from a sworn and court-certified translator. The authority can ask for more documents in individual cases.
Cost, decision time and validity
The application fee is EUR 218, and you pay it in full when you submit. It is not refunded, even if the application is refused or withdrawn.
The authority must decide within 90 days. The OeAD notes that this period extends by another 90 days if you still have to submit documents, which is one more reason to send everything at once.
| Point | What applies |
|---|---|
| Application fee | EUR 218, paid on submission, not refunded |
| Decision period | 90 days, plus 90 more if documents are missing |
| Standard validity | One year |
| EU or multilateral mobility programme, or agreement between institutions | Two years |
| Extension after graduation | Once, twelve months, for job search or starting a business |
Renewing your permit
Apply in person at the residence authority before your permit expires. You can apply no earlier than three months before the expiry date. Miss the deadline and your application counts as a first application, and you lose your continuous right to stay. That is a hard rule, so put the date in your calendar.
Bring your proof of study progress, your current record of studies and the confirmation that you are still enrolled. The authority may also ask for a current extract from an officially recognised credit reference agency.
If your programme has an entrance examination
Your university can issue a conditional admission decision. You apply with it at the representation in your country. At that stage, sufficient funds and accommodation only have to be shown credibly, for example with a confirmation of maintenance payments from your parents or a reservation in a student hall.
If the permit is granted, you get a visa D for four months, travel to Austria and sit the examination. After you pass, you submit your final admission decision and full proof of funds and accommodation to the residence authority, then collect the permit within the validity of your visa. If the examination is much earlier than your possible start date, a visa C for the examination period may be an option.
After you graduate
You can extend the permit once, for twelve months, to look for work or set up a business, if you have completed your studies and meet the general conditions. From there, a move to a Red-White-Red Card, an EU Blue Card or a permit for researchers is possible if you meet the requirements. The authority decides, so check the current rules before you rely on them.
During your studies you can work up to 20 hours a week with an employment permit that your employer applies for at the labour market service (AMS). No labour market test is needed.
Rules and amounts change. Always confirm the current figures on the official page of the authority or with your institution before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a residence permit to study in Austria?
If you are a national of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and you stay longer than six months, you need a Residence Permit Student. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no permit. Check the details for your nationality with the Austrian representation in your country.
Where and when do I apply for the student residence permit?
Normally in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, which forwards the file to the residence authority in Austria. If you may enter without a visa, you can apply at the local residence authority after arrival. The OeAD advises applying at least three months before entry, and six months ahead if possible.
How long does the decision take and what does it cost?
The residence authority must decide within 90 days, and the OeAD says this extends by another 90 days if documents are missing. The application fee is EUR 218, paid on submission and not refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn.
Can I stay in Austria after graduating?
Yes, the permit can be extended once for twelve months to look for work or start a business after you complete your studies. A move to a Red-White-Red Card or an EU Blue Card is possible afterwards if you meet the requirements.
Sources
- oesterreich.gv.at: Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student, Conditions, documents, EUR 218 fee, 90 days, 12-month extension
- OeAD: Residence Permit, Student, Checklist, procedure, entrance examination route
- OeAD: FAQ on entry and residence for third-country students, Frequently asked questions
- migration.gv.at: Studieren in Österreich, Work during studies and after graduation
Last checked: 29 October 2026. Rules and amounts change; confirm them on the official page before you act on them. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. The residence authority decides on your case and your institution's international office can answer questions about enrolment.
Questions about the student permit?
Tell us your goals and we’ll help you shortlist institutions, find scholarships and plan your application, free.