🇨🇳CHINA

🏳ATCN-AT

Do China passport holders need a visa to visit AT?

Q: How long can I stay with a Schengen visa?

Up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, subject to the dates on your visa.

Q: Does ETIAS apply to me as a Chinese citizen?

No. ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities. Because China is a visa-required country, you continue to apply for a Schengen visa instead.

Q: How much does the Austria Schengen visa cost?

The standard adult visa fee is EUR 90, plus a VFS Global service fee of about EUR 30-45. Children 6-11 pay EUR 45 and under-6 are free.

Q: How early should I apply?

You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 days before departure; processing usually takes about 15 calendar days.

Q: Is travel insurance mandatory?

Yes. You must hold travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 in medical costs, valid throughout the Schengen Area for your entire stay.

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa to visit Austria for tourism. ETIAS does not apply to Chinese nationals. Austria is a Schengen Area member, and holders of an ordinary Chinese passport are NOT visa-exempt. To visit Austria for tourism or a short visit you must obtain a Schengen Type C short-stay visa before departure. It allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Applications are submitted through the authorised VFS Global visa application centres in China (with biometrics), require proof of travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 in medical costs, and typically take about 15 calendar days to process. The standard adult visa fee is EUR 90. The new EU ETIAS travel authorisation (expected late 2026) does NOT apply to Chinese citizens — because China is a visa-required nationality, travellers continue to use the traditional Schengen visa process rather than ETIAS.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Schengen Type C short-stay visa

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Single, double or multiple (as granted)

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 90 (adult); EUR 45 (children 6-11); free under 6

consular fee only

Processing time

About 15 calendar days (up to 45 in peak season)

standard track

Validity

Visa valid for the dates granted, within the 90/180 rule

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm the visa type

For tourism or a short visit, apply for the Schengen Type C short-stay visa. Austria must be your main destination, or your first point of entry if the trip is spread across several Schengen countries.

· Type C· Tourism

/02

Book an appointment with VFS Global

Schengen visa applications for Austria in China are handled through authorised VFS Global visa application centres. Create an account and book a biometric appointment at the centre covering your place of residence.

· VFS Global· Appointment

/03

Prepare and gather documents

Complete the Schengen application form and assemble all supporting documents: passport, photos, flight and hotel bookings, travel insurance, and proof of funds and employment.

· Documents· Insurance EUR 30,000

/04

Attend the appointment and give biometrics

Submit your application in person, pay the visa fee plus the VFS service fee, and provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) unless you have valid prints on file from the last 59 months.

· Biometrics· Pay fees

/05

Wait for processing

Standard processing is about 15 calendar days; allow longer in peak travel seasons. Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel.

· ~15 days· Apply early

/06

Collect passport and travel

Retrieve your passport with the decision, check the visa sticker for dates, number of entries and duration, then travel within the validity window.

· Collect· Check sticker

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Passport valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure, with 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years

required

Completed and signed Schengen visa application form

required

Two recent biometric passport photos (35x45mm)

required

Travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, valid across Schengen

required

Round-trip flight reservation / itinerary

required

Hotel bookings or proof of accommodation for the full stay

required

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, last 3-6 months)

required

Proof of employment / income (employment letter, business licence, leave approval)

recommended

Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary of the trip

recommended

Household register (hukou) copy and other personal-status documents

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard short-stay visa fee; non-refundable if refused

Schengen visa fee (child 6-11)EUR 45Reduced fee; children under 6 are free

VFS Global service feeEUR 30-45Charged by the external service provider per application

Travel medical insuranceFrom ~EUR 20-50Must cover at least EUR 30,000 medical costs across Schengen

Total estimateEUR 120 — EUR 185incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing

About 15 calendar days

Normal processing time after a complete application is submitted with biometrics.

Peak-season processing

Up to 45 calendar days

Decisions can take longer in busy periods or if extra documents are requested.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

China is a visa-required nationality for Schengen

Chinese ordinary passport holders are not on the Schengen visa-exempt list, so a visa is mandatory for any short stay in Austria.

High

/02

Austria is a full Schengen member

Entry follows uniform Schengen rules, including the Type C visa and the 90/180-day short-stay limit.

High

/03

ETIAS does not replace the visa for Chinese citizens

ETIAS applies only to visa-exempt nationalities; Chinese travellers keep using the traditional Schengen visa.

Medium

/04

Biometrics required

First-time applicants (or those without valid prints in the last 59 months) must give fingerprints in person at VFS Global.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

China to Austria route verified

Confirmed via Austrian BMEIA, VFS Global and EU sources that Chinese ordinary passport holders still need a Schengen Type C visa (EUR 90, ~15 days, EUR 30,000 insurance) and that ETIAS does not apply to visa-required Chinese nationals.

/09 — The questions