Travel in Schengen Area Now Allowed Pending Residence Permit Renewal
May 7, 2018
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The situation
Foreign nationals with a pending Austrian residence permit renewal application can now travel in the Schengen area under a one-time emergency visa.
Background
Typically, foreign nationals must apply for a renewed Residence Permit in Austria prior to the initial permit’s expiration. Depending on the application type, the government usually takes few months to process the renewal application, so foreign nationals are advised to file their renewal applications three months prior to the expiry date.
Foreign nationals who need to leave Austria after the current card has expired and before the renewed Residence Permit is issued can apply for an emergency visa, which is processed on the same day as application submission. Previously, foreign nationals could only travel outside the Schengen area under an emergency visa.
A closer look
- Expanded allowable travel rule. Foreign nationals with a valid emergency visa can now travel inside the Schengen area (as well as outside, as was already allowed) for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
- The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
- Process. Foreign nationals with a pending Residence Permit renewal application must appear at the Immigration Authority to apply for an emergency visa a few days before travel. No appointment is required.
- Validity. The vignette can be issued once during each renewal period. Immigration authorities have the discretion to determine the vignette’s validity period.
Impact
Foreign nationals now face fewer travel restrictions during the Residence Permit renewal application process.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
