Visa C: Travel visa
A travel visa is a classical Schengen visa which is issued both for tourist and business trips. It is also issued for short-term work. It allows the holder to enter and stay in the territory of the Schengen states. Please bear in mind that visas C are granted for a maximum length of stay of 90 days for every six months.
Deadlines are counted starting on the day of first entry in the territory of a state which has implemented the Convention of 19 June 1990 to implement the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 on the Gradual Abolition of Checks at the Common Borders (Schengen state).
Visa D: Long-stay visa
Unlike the classical Schengen visa, a (national) visa D issued by an Austrian representation entitles holders to stay up to 6 months in Austria. A visa D issued by Austria or any other Schengen state entitles the holder to move freely within the territory of the other Schengen states up to three months within a period of 6 months on the basis of this visa and a valid travel document without intending to engage in gainful activity, provided the general requirements for entry are met and the person is not on the national list of alerts of the member state in question.
Employment with visa (up to 6 months)
Depending on the intended length of stay, a visa D (long-stay visa) or a Schengen visa category C (for short-term work) with the addition “EMPLOYMENT” is required for short-term work in the federal territory of Austria according to the provisions of the Aliens Police Act (Fremdenpolizeigesetz, FPG). This rule (mandatory visa) generally applies also to third-country nationals who are allowed to enter without a visa for other purposes (e.g. tourist trip). Applicants for a visa C or D for short-term work must present themselves personally at the competent Austrian representation and depending on the nature of the intended employment and after consultation with the representation, submit the required documents. Persons whose integrity and reliability is known to the consulate may be dispensed from having to appear in person; they may have their application filed by a third person or send it by postal mail. This procedure is not possible for first-time application, the applicant’s integrity and reliability must first be assessed and then regularly checked.
Generally, a distinction is made between:
Self-employment
Proof of artistic activity (training certificates, earlier engagements etc.) must be presented when filing an application with the competent Austrian representation. Both performing as well as creative artists can apply for a visa, but artistic activity must be predominant (no “singing“ waiters). Proof of adequate means of subsistence must be presented in the form of engagement contracts with theaters, concert halls etc. or e.g. agreements with galleries. Depending on the duration of the intended activity, either a visa C or a visa D should be applied for.
Employment
Artists falling under the scope of the Act on the Employment of Foreign Nationals generally require an employment permit to take up employment. Depending on the duration of the intended activity, either a visa C or a visa D should be applied for.
Exception: According to sec. 3(4) of the Act on the Employment of Foreign Nationals, foreign nationals who are concert or stage performers, acrobatic artists, film, radio and TV artists or musicians may be employed 1 day or (up to) 4 weeks without an employment permit in the context of an overall artistic production to ensure a concert, an event, a performance, an on-going film production, a live radio or TV broadcast. However, the organiser and/or producer must notify the competent local Public Employment Service (PES) of such activity on the day it is started. In such a case, foreign nationals who require a visa will need a visa C. Persons who are generally visa-exempted may enter without a visa.
Example:
A Canadian Cirque du Soleil aerial acrobat wants to perform for three weeks in Austria. These performances are part of an overall artistic production, therefore only notification of the PES is required and the artist, who enjoys a visa-waiver status as Canadian national, does not require a visa for this activity.
