Austria: Entry, Residence, Visas

I. Information for Students with EU-/EEA-citizenship and Swiss nationals

Entry and residence in Austria for the purpose of studies are visa-free for students with EU-/EEA-citizenship and Swiss nationals. Nevertheless those citizens need an EU-"Registration Certificate" for the study stay in Austria. You´ll get this Registration Certificate at the authority concerned for residence matters (in Vienna: MA 35).

Important information is provided directly on the website of MA 35 (in German language only) and on the website of the Austrian government (in English).

II. Information for Students from Third Countries (non EU / EWR / Switzerland)

The "residence title for students" will be issued for:

  • All Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Diploma Programmes and Doctoral Studies at mdw
  • All University Programmes established as "Universitätslehrgang" according to para 56 Austrian University Code (Universitätsgesetz, UG) with minimum 40 ETCS in total (except language courses: Without having passed an entrance exam for artistic and/or scientific studies at mdw, it is not possible to receive a residence title with e.g. the German course only)
  • All Preparatory Programmes at mdw established as "Universitätslehrgang" with minimum 40 ETCS in total
  • All Postgraduate Programmes established as "Universitätslehrgang" with minimum 40 ETCS in total
  • All Programmes for Gifted Children established as "Universitätslehrgang" with minimum 40 ETCS in total

Due to the fact that all final admission steps at mdw can be taken and confirmed only after having successfully passed the entrance exam, mdw may firstly issue a written confirmation for the authorities regarding (limited) entrance visa only. In that confirmation would be stated that the entrance exam is to be held in presence (not online) and that your full attendance at mdw in Vienna is required.

After having passed the exam, successful applicants get a confirmation that they have to pursue the admission process to get fully admitted. This confirmation can be submitted as part of a "residence title - student" to the authorities.

So, first of all, the entrance exam has to be passed successfully. Before that (date of the entrance exam), only a confirmation letter can be issued (for a limited entrance visa) that presence for the entrance exam would be compulsory.

If you need a letter for the authorities concerning compulsory presence during the entrance exam at mdw, please contact the Studies Center.

If you have passed the entrance exam at mdw successfully and need a confirmation for the authorities, please also contact the Studies Center. 

Website of the Studies Center

Please, inform yourself prior to the entrance examination about the requirements for your entrance permit to Austria and the resident permit "Student".

It is important to apply for all permits early on in your application process as the handling of such procedures can take some time with the respective authorities (3-5 months).

It is of utmost importance to hand in all required documents. Please, study carefully the information provided on the website of the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD) as well as on the website of the City of Vienna (MA 35, German).

After your application for "residence title - student" and before entering Austria, please inform by all means the authority responsible for your residence title (for Vienna: MA 35) regarding:

  • date of entry
  • type of visa you have to enter Austria (Visa D, touristic visa, visa-free)
  • expiration date of your visa (Visa D, touristic visa, visa-free)

Should you have any further questions not covered by this information, please contact tomasi@mdw.ac.at.