Austria – Migration & Residence | Official Authorities-P001.1a
Table of Contents
Part of the project
Migration, Study & Sport: Reality & Law
by NADEUM-WIKO
Purpose of this page
This page provides a structured overview of the relevant official government agencies in the field of migration, residence, and asylum in Austria.
Only the information and decisions of the national authorities are authoritative.
This page is for guidance only and does not replace legal advice or official procedures.
Government classification
- Country: Austria
- Member of the European Union: Yes
- Legal framework: National law within the framework of EU law
Central national authorities
Note: Only government agencies are listed.
Private providers, agencies, or intermediaries are not included.
1. Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Responsibilities: Migration, residence, visas, immigration police, return Official website: https://www.bmi.gv.at
2. Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA)
Responsibilities: Asylum procedures, subsidiary protection, return decisions Official website: https://www.bfa.gv.at
3. Federal Administrative Court (BVwG)
Responsibilities: Appeals against decisions made by the BFA Official website: https://www.bvwg.gv.at
4. Austrian embassies and consulates (BMEIA)
Responsibilities: Issuing visas, entry information Official website: https://www.bmeia.gv.at
5. State authorities / magistrates / district authorities
Responsibility: Residence permits, extensions, right of registration
🟦 Responsible state authorities (residence permits & right of registration) Vienna – MA 35 Official website: https://www.wien.gv.at/menschen/integration/ma35/(wien.gv.at in Bing)
🟦 Lower Austria – District authorities https://www.noe.gv.at/noe/Bezirke.html (noe.gv.at in Bing)
🟦 Upper Austria – District authorities & magistrates https://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/bezirke.htm (land-oberoesterreich.gv.at in Bing)
🟦 Styria – District authorities https://www.verwaltung.steiermark.at/cms/ziel/74814/DE/ (verwaltung.steiermark.at in Bing)
🟦 Salzburg – District administrative authorities https://www.salzburg.gv.at/verwaltung_/Seiten/bezirksverwaltungsbehoerden.aspx (salzburg.gv.at in Bing)
🟦 Tyrol – District authorities https://www.tirol.gv.at/bezirke/
🟦 Vorarlberg – District authorities https://vorarlberg.at/bezirksbehoerden (vorarlberg.at in Bing)
🟦 Carinthia – District administrative authorities https://www.ktn.gv.at/Verwaltung/Bezirksverwaltungsbehoerden (ktn.gv.at in Bing)
🟦 Burgenland – District administrative authorities https://www.burgenland.at/themen/verwaltung/bezirksverwaltungsbehoerden (burgenland.at in Bing)
6. Public Employment Service (AMS)
Responsibilities: Access to the labor market, work permits, involvement in the Red-White-Red Card program Official website: https://www.ams.at
7. Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)
Responsibilities: Integration courses, values courses, language exams Official website: https://www.integrationsfonds.at
ASYLUM & INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Competent authority
Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) The BFA is the sole competent authority of first instance for asylum procedures in Austria.
Tasks
- Conducting all first-instance asylum procedures
- Deciding on asylum, subsidiary protection, tolerated stay
- Implementing return decisions
- Operation of the initial reception centers (Traiskirchen, St. Georgen)
Official information
- BFA – Asylum: https://www.bfa.gv.at
- General asylum information from the federal government:
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at(oesterreich.gv.at in Bing) → “Asylum procedures”
Legal notice
- Asylum is a protective measure for people who are persecuted.
- Economic reasons do not constitute grounds for asylum.
RESIDENCE, VISAS & MIGRATION
1. Visas & entry
- Official information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA): https://www.bmeia.gv.at → “Visas”
- General visa information from the federal government:
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at(oesterreich.gv.at in Bing) → “Visa für Österreich” (Visas for Austria)
2. Residence permits
- Official information on residence permits (settlement & residence): https://www.bmeia.gv.at → “Settlement & Residence”
Additional information from the Ministry of the Interior (BMI): https://www.bmi.gv.at → “Settlement in Austria”
3. Return / Departure
- Responsible: Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) Area: “Immigration and Return” https://www.bfa.gv.at
Legal notice
- Residence permits are purpose-specific (e.g., study, work, family reunification). Residence permits are time-limited.
- Misuse or exceeding the permitted period of stay is illegal.
Legal information (binding)
The links provided here are to the sole responsible authorities.
Procedures, requirements, and legal consequences vary depending on the individual case.
Laws and responsibilities are subject to change at any time.
Delimitation by NADEUM-WIKO
NADEUM-WIKO:
- does not mediate procedures
- does not submit applications
- does not finance measures
- does not provide legally binding advice
- does not assume responsibility for decisions made by the authorities
Information does not replace approval.
Navigation
- 🔗 To the EU overview page: EU migration – Official bodies & responsibilities
- 🔗 To the project home page: Migration, study & sport: Reality & law
- 🔗 To Module 1: Migration – Asylum, economic migration, consequences