Visa and residence permit for international guest researchers
You need an Austrian working visa or a suitable residence permit for guest research activities at the University of Graz.
Working visa or residence permit
All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals you must have either an Austrian employment visa or a residence permit for the guest research activities.
- You need a working visa if the research activities last for a maximum of 180 days (=6 months).
- You need a residence permit if the activities last 181-365 days (6-12 months).
Further information
I can enter without a visa as a tourist, do I need a working visa?
Yes, you need a visa also if you can come to Austria visa free as a tourist. Your stay is an activity requiring a visa (science/research) and not a touristic purpose.
All third-country nationals who come to the University of Graz for up to 180 days as a guest researcher require a working visa. Persons from countries that could enter visa-free as tourists must also have a working visa for the duration of the guest research activities. Please contact the responsible Austrian embassy. For the visa you need a letter of invitation from the institute/center inviting you. Further information and required documents
Which visa do I need?
You need a C or D visa from the Austrian representative authority. A working visa is not a separate visa category but "employment" (German: "Erwerb") is only an addition to the C or D visa to be applied for:
- Visa C with addition "Erwerb": up to 90 days stay.
- Visa D with addition "Erwerb": 91-180 days stay
- Residence permit: 181-365 days stay
Please contact the responsible Austrian embassy. For the visa you need a letter of invitation from the institute/center inviting you.
Which residence title can I apply for?
Guest researchers who will stay longer than 6 months are eligible for the following residence permits:
- "Settlement Permit - special cases of gainful employment"
- "Residence permit - special cases of gainful employment"
If you are allowed to enter Austria without a visa (for example as a tourist or with a valid Schengen residence title), you can apply in Austria. Otherwise, please contact the responsible Austrian embassy.
What insurance do I need?
In order to get a visa, you must take out Schengen travel health insurance with a coverage sum of at least €30,000. Contact the embassy in case of questions.
A comprehensive health insurance equal to Austrian social security covering all risks in Austria is required for a residence permit, you can find more information here.
What are the financial requirements?
For the employment visa, sufficient financial means for living in Austria must be proven. It is best to refer to the required monthly rates for residence permits.
Please note the financial requirements for obtaining an Austrian residence permit. For example, scholarship or fellowship confirmations from the funding body can also be submitted as proof.
You can find the requirements under "Checklist":