Austria-UK-Austria on SA Passport and Austrian Work Permit

Hi

I am South African, on an SA passport. I am currently living and working in Austria (Salzburg). I have an official work permit for Austria. But it's just a card - nothing in my Passport. I am also married to an Austrian citizen.

I need to travel to the UK for 3 days. AFAIK, getting into the UK on my SA passport is ok (no visa required), but what about returning? When I get to the exit point in the UK, will my Austrian work permit be enough documentation? (i.e. I don't have an Austrian Visa in my Passport).

Thanks

Ken

Read this:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... rnationals

Basically, if you are a South African travelling to the UK before the 30th of June 2009 AND have travelled there before (and obeyed the conditions of your stay), you do not need a visa. However if you've never travelled to the UK OR your planned trip begins on or after the 1st of July 2009, you will need a visa.

Your status in Austria has absolutely no bearing on whether or not you need a UK visa. However if you do need one, you should lodge your application from Austria.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea about your re-entry to Austria. It does seem strange that you do not have a residence permit in your passport. Have the Austrians swapped cards for stickers? This seems to imply that they have:

From wikipedia: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aufenthalt ... haltstitel

Alle Aufenthaltstitel werden in Form einer Scheckkarte ausgestellt.

and here: http://www.wien.gv.at/english/administr ... html#title

All kinds of residence permits and settlement permits have the form of a card and are usually issued for one year.

I would imagine if your little card has the word "Aufenthaltstitel" written somewhere on it, that and your passport is all you need to re-enter Austria. That little card with the word "Aufenthaltstitel" is your visa, as it were.

Hi

Thanks so much for the (unfortunately, bad) news about the Visa for the UK. I have been to the UK before, but this trip will happen after 1 July. I'm really grateful for that point, because I simply would have pitched up, so your warning is extremely useful.

Thanks also for your other point about the card. Yup, my card says, in BOLD CAPS "AUFENTHALTSTITEL", so that is good news.

Thanks very much.

Ken