Current news

Good afternoon,

Currently there are an increasing number of fake calls with the following content:

A person introduces themselves as a US Border Control official. A US number (area code 001) appears on the display. The caller's aim is to obtain the following information:

Visa number

Passport number

Residence

Other personal information, especially that of the US visa application

When asked whether the person can clearly prove their identity, the caller becomes aggressive and threatens that the US authorities will visit the caller within 30 minutes, expel them from the country and impose sanctions

.

In the cases known to us, no checks were carried out. We assume that the calls are fake.

Please remain calm. The following procedure may be appropriate:

• Inquire about the legitimacy of the caller
.
• To inform them that you will call them back. Please ask for a telephone number for this purpose.
• If the caller behaves aggressively, continue to inform them that you will be called back. Then hang up and contact the authorities directly.

Best regards

Your ÖVKG team

The Consulate of Saudi Arabia is closed on the following days due to public holidays:

29.05.2025

05.06.2025-06.06.2025

09.06.2025

19.06.2025

Due to the public holidays, no interview appointments can be booked for these days and there may be delays in processing.

Your ÖVKG team

Please note that the Consulate of Saudi Arabia will not accept applications for the categories below until the end of the Hajj season. This applies ONLY to nationals from Egypt, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Algeria, Nigeria, Jordan, Sudan, Iraq, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.
.
1. tourist visa
2. visa for business visits
3. visa for family visits
4. visa for personal visits

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

From 01.05.2025, all travelers must apply for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before entry. This digital form replaces the previous paper-based entry card and applies to both visa-free travelers and those who require a visa.

Transit passengers who do not leave the transit area are exempt.

Please take this into account when traveling to Thailand from 01.05.2025.

Your ÖVKG Team

Good afternoon,

The Foreign Office warns after arrests of individual Germans entering the USA that "previous convictions in the USA, false information on the purpose of stay or even a slight overstay" can lead to arrest and detention pending deportation.

Please bear this in mind when applying for the appropriate visa category and entering the USA.

There are currently also stricter checks of visa documents at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna and rejections of various visa categories.

Best regards

Your ÖVKG Team