Preparing your application

• Application Form Please choose the option "(9) Settlement Permit – Artist".
  Application Form Settlement Permit ArtistApplication Form Settlement Permit Artist ()
• Passport
• One EU passport sized photo, not older than 6 months (with invoice)
• Proof of financial means
  e.g, a fixed income or other financial assests; a declaration of liability is accepted
• Police clearance certificate (“Strafregisterbescheinigung”), not older than 3 months
• Proof of health insurance in Austria
• Proof of basic German language skills at an A1 level
  • not older than one year at the time of your application, issued by Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), ÖSD, TELC or Goethe-Institut
  • You do not need to show German language skills: 
    • if you have completed studies at a recognised university
    • if your artistic work is
      • the creation in literature, the performing arts, music, photography, film and video art as well as forms of art which are new and experimental or which transcend the boundaries of these art forms,
      • the publication, presentation and documentation of works of art and
      • the conservation of pieces of art and documents
• Proof of an artistic education or description of former artistic works

As an employed artist you further need: 

• a written declaration by the employer to comply with the conditions of employment specified in the application ("Arbeitgebererklärung")

As a self-employed artist:

• one or more contract(s) for an activity lasting more than six months with a contracting entities in Austria (galleries, theatres, concert halls, etc.)

In general, you have two options when it comes to submitting your application.

Option 1: Your future employer submits the application

Your future employer submits your application in your name to the Austrian Immigration and Residence Authority in Austria. Depending on where you plan on living, this is possible in person and/or via email and/or via postal services. This is of course not possible if you are planning to work as an artist on a self-employed basis.

Option 2: You submit the application

• You submit your application in your country of residence to the Austrian Embassy/Consulate. Your application must be complete in that case. Only then will your file be sent to Austria via diplomatic postal services.

• If you are allowed to travel to Austria without a visa, you are permitted to personally submit your application to the Immigration and Residence Authority in Austria. This option has the advantage that the application is submitted directly to the public authority which actually processes it. Moreover, this option allows you to submit certain documents per email at a later date (for example verifications).

  Attention: Please pay attention to the number of visa-free days you are entitled to! Generally, you have 90 days (out of 180) in which you can stay in the Schengen Area. Once you have used up this allotment of visa-free days, you will no longer be allowed to submit the application in Austria because you no longer legally reside in the country. In this case, you must leave the Schengen Area and wait for the decision of the Austrian authorities abroad.