CHINA - new test requirements for entry
02/11/2020 12:21

The Chinese consulate in Vienna has announced that there will be changes to the test requirements for entry from November 6, 2020

From November 6, 2020, foreign citizens must be able to present a nucleic acid and IgM antibody test before entering China, which must not be older than 48 hours at the time of departure and must be stamped by the Chinese consulate in Vienna.

PLEASE NOTE: both the nucleic acid test and the IgM antibody test must be negative.

Please pay particular attention to the regulations regarding flight routes (direct flight vs. transit and onward flight).

Please find more information on the website of the Chinese consulate: http://www.chinaembassy.at/det/xwdt/t1828251.htm

INDIA: ONLINE visa applications required with immediate effect
27/10/2020 00:00

The Embassy of India informs that visa applications must be made online again with immediate effect. Visa applications that were filled out manually will no longer be accepted with immediate effect. The visa application must be submitted via the following link https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

 

USA: important information on NIE (National Interest Exemption) approval
22/10/2020 00:00

A NIE Approval is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and entitles the holder to one entry. This means that the NIE is valid from the day of the interview and cannot be delayed/extended or postponed to the future. If a NIE Approval expires or has already been used for a trip, the traveler must request a new NIE Approval - by email - normally no new interview is required.

CHINA: important information on COVID-19 test BEFORE entry
31/08/2020 10:12

Since 25.08.2020, Austria has been on the list of countries that require a negative COVID test and a health declaration for entry into China. The negative COVID test must not be older than 3 calendar days. In addition, the COVID test must be checked and confirmed by the Chinese embassy in Vienna. The start of this regulation for departures from Austria is 03.09.2020. Please note that this regulation for departures ex Germany already applies from 30.8.2020. A detailed list of all countries can be found below in the country list. The Chinese embassy published a concrete announcement of the measures on its website on 25.08.2020.

Here is the procedure in brief, step by step:

  1. Take a COVID test at least 3 days before departure; the embassy does not specify a particular laboratory, but it can be any certified institution or hospital
  2. Send the negative test result together with a signed „Health Declaration Form“  and a copy of your passport (passport details page) to the following e-mail address: pcrtest.aut@gmail.com
  3. The embassy will then issue the „Health Declaration Form“ for travelers and send it to the applicant by email (the test result will be certified 24h after receipt from the embassy, even on weekends)
  4. Take the issued "Health Declaration Form" and the negative test result with you and show it at check-in at the airport

IMPORTANT: the negative COVID-19 test and the issued „Health Declaration Form“ are not an alternative to a visa. The visa must be applied for before departure. Likewise, the negative COVID-19 test and the Health Declaration Form do not replace the entry modalities in China, i.e. a 14-day quarantine in central facilities in China is still required upon entry.

Please find more information on the website of the Chinese Embassy: http://www.chinaembassy.at/det/xwdt/t1809604.htm

New visa application South Korea
06/08/2020 14:23

The Consulate of South Korea informs that a new visa application form has been published with immediate effect. We kindly ask you to use this visa application in the future.