What is the difference between a travel visa and a residence permit? Get a brief overview on Schengen, visa D, residence permit, etc. for EM CDE students starting studies at the University of Salzburg, in Salzburg, Austria.

Austria, Czech Republic, and France are a so called ‘Schengen Area Country‘.

Depending on your citizenship and other categories you might need a visa that grants you with the permission to enter the Schengen Area. Read more on ‘Who Needs and Who Doesn’t Need a Schengen Visa to Travel to Europe?‘

Get more information on the OEAD website!

If you need a (travel) visa, you have to submit an application for a “Residence Permit – Student” at the competent Austrian representative authority in your country of residence and await the decision there, then in case of a positive decision you can apply for a Visa D at the representative authority to enter Austria and collect your residence permit in Austria.

Get in contact and check at/with Austrian Representations world-wide if you are entitled to submit your application in Austria.

Students who are entitled to enter Austria without requiring a visa (check ‘Who Needs and Who Doesn’t Need a Schengen Visa to Travel to Europe?‘) submit their application for a “Residence Permit – Student” at the locally competent residence authority in Salzburg, Austria.

Map of Schengen Countries and EU Countries