The Independent Means Visa in Austria offers residency to qualified individuals who can demonstrate substantial financial resources and a stable passive income from foreign sources.
MOBILITY ASSSET SNAPSHOT
The Independent Means Visa program in Austria provides a pathway to residency for financially self-sufficient individuals. This program is designed to attract retirees, entrepreneurs, and other individuals looking to establish residency in a European country with a high standard of living, rich cultural heritage, and excellent healthcare system.
Panoramica
A pathway to residency for qualified individuals with substantial financial means in Austria
Requisiti di idoneità
Individuals with sufficient financial resources and passive income from foreign sources
Restrizioni degli antenati di ancoraggio
Mesi alla cittadinanza
Durata del visto
Initial 1-year residency, renewable annually
Mesi al visto
3-5 months
Requisito della presenza fisica
183 days per year
Disponibilità
Limited (annual quota of about 450 permits)
Assegno familiare
Coniuge e figli
Panoramica
Submit application at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or at a magistrate in Austria if already present in the country.
Domande?
Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.
How long does it take to process an Independent Means Visa application?
The processing time is typically 3-5 months from the point of submission.
Can I include my family members in my Independent Means Visa application?
Yes, you can include your spouse and dependent children in your application, with additional income requirements.
What types of income qualify for the Independent Means Visa?
Passive income can include pensions, rental income, dividends, and other forms of regular income not derived from employment in Austria.
How often do I need to renew my residency permit?
The initial residency permit is valid for 1 year, then renewable annually.
Can Independent Means Visa holders apply for Austrian citizenship?
Yes, visa holders can apply for Austrian citizenship after 10 years of legal residency, subject to meeting other requirements such as advanced language proficiency.
benefits
The program offers numerous advantages for individuals looking to establish their presence in Austria's sophisticated and culturally rich environment.
High quality of life
Central European location
Strong social welfare system
Program Stability
No minimum investment required
Option to renew the visa once it has expired
Paesi in cui si viaggia senza visto
157
Passport Validity
10 years, 6 years for children under 12
Panoramica
Austria offers a high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and a rich cultural heritage for foreign residents.
Vantaggi:
Vantaggi:
Domande?
Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.
How long does it take to process an Independent Means Visa application?
The processing time is typically 3-5 months from the point of submission.
Can I include my family members in my Independent Means Visa application?
Yes, you can include your spouse and dependent children in your application, with additional income requirements.
What types of income qualify for the Independent Means Visa?
Passive income can include pensions, rental income, dividends, and other forms of regular income not derived from employment in Austria.
How often do I need to renew my residency permit?
The initial residency permit is valid for 1 year, then renewable annually.
Can Independent Means Visa holders apply for Austrian citizenship?
Yes, visa holders can apply for Austrian citizenship after 10 years of legal residency, subject to meeting other requirements such as advanced language proficiency.
REQUIREMENTS
Check if you qualify based on your family history
Not applicable
Minimum Income or Savings: Pensions, Investments, Rental income+Regular Income Stream: Monthly pension payments, Annuities, Proof of Financial Independence+Applicants need to demonstrate basic German language skills at the A1 level
Not applicable
Criminal Record: A clean criminal record is required
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the Independent Means Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria demonstrating their financial stability and self-sufficiency.
PROCESS
Initial Assessment
• Verify passive income sources
• Confirm income thresholds
• Review healthcare requirements
• Complete financial documentation
Selection Phase
• Choose destination country
• Review residency requirements
• Assess tax implications
• Select optimal visa category
Application Preparation
• Gather proof of income
• Obtain health insurance
• Prepare bank statements
• Complete background verification
Submission
• Submit residency application
• Pay visa fees
• Schedule interview (if required)
• Provide biometric data
Residency Setup
• Receive residency permit
• Register with local authorities
• Set up banking/utilities
• Complete residency registration
PROCESS
DOCUMENTS
Passport+Biometrics
Marriage certificate and birth certificates of dependents (if applicable)
Not applicable
A clean criminal record is required, confirmed through police clearance certificates from the applicant's country of origin and any country of residence in the past 5 years
Applicants must provide documentation proving they have sufficient financial means to support themselves in Austria+Proof of Income or Wealth: Bank certification of deposit; Proof of pension (if applicable)
DOCUMENTS
Birth certificates from government archives; Marriage certificates for family dependencies; Police clearance records from current and past residences
Certified translations into official language(s); Apostille certification; Government-issued document legalization
Diploma and transcript verification; Professional certification authentication; Credential evaluation services
Initial application submission fee; Processing and handling charges; Administrative review fees
Fingerprint collection fee; Digital photograph requirements; Biometric data processing
Required medical examinations; Vaccination verification; Health certificate processing
Document verification fees; Background check processing; Application status updates
Consulate visit expenses; Interview travel costs; Temporary accommodation (if required)
Language proficiency testing; Skills assessment fees; Additional document requests
Immigration lawyer consultation; Document review services; Legal representation fees
Tax planning consultation; Asset transfer advisory; Investment planning services
Relocation services; Property search assistance; Settlement support services
Residency card processing; Passport issuance fees; Registration certificates
Oath ceremony fees; Registration charges; Local authority fees
Renewal fees; Status maintenance costs; Annual reporting fees
Rankings
139
Classifica generale
Cost
Based on application fee
Residency Requirements
Based on residency requirements
Residency Privileges Length
Based on programs’s term
Processing Speed
Based on estimated processing time
Requisiti di idoneità
Based on entry requirements
Program Stability
Based on years of activity
Time to Permanent Residency
Based on permanent residency timeline
Rankings
Safety
3
Costo della vita
11
Quality of Life
19
Healthcare Quality
13
Internet Speed
56
Human Freedom
24
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