Hi All
Now that I've been through the hoops, I can answer these questions for others:
1. What are the realistic chances of my achieving this in 4 months?
Good - it also depends on the red tape person in Austria. I had wonderful service, from a really wonderful person.
2. We will probably be settling in the region of Salzburg. Can this be done through Salzburg, or do I need to go to Vienna for the red-tape stuff?
Everything can be done through Salzburg (although the docs are probably sent to Vienna for ok)
3. Are there any things that I should take care to do or not to do?
Get a place to stay (rent) asap. Hotel address is not good enough. Then get that address registered. Without that registration, you can do nothing that involves a contract (not even a mobile-phone contract). Start learning German, and practice (good starting point is the "German, Why not?" course available in pdf and mp3 from
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,2142,2548,00.html)
4. Is there any special documentation that I need to take?
Police clearance record from SA; All degrees, certficates, insurance policies, medical insurance, etc. Take everything - they will determine what is important or not. For Customs, in addition to the stuff that the moving company said, take your last 12 months worth of rates bills or your SA rent contract.
5. As a South African, are their any special hoops that I have to jump through?
Not particularly, apart from the fact you're not an EU citizen. Make sure they know that your intention is to apply for Austrian citizenship when you are eligible. You have to apply for medical insurance, but it only kicks in 6 months after application. Which means that you either have insurance from home, or get local short-term insurance to cover the first 6 months.
6. I am self-employed. 90% of my work is done online, and my clients (mainly academic institutions) may be anywhere in the world. What are the complications there? May I continue working online from Austria with my SA clients?
This seemed to be ok - until you have the working permission, no work in Austria AT ALL - don't even try, they will find out. Check with them about work on the Internet, but it seemed to be ok.
kmasters wrote:Hi All
My wife (an Austrian citizen), has been living in South Africa for about 30 years. She will be returning to Austria, and I (South African), naturally, will be joining her. We've been married for less than a year.
I have a 4-month visa (D-type), during which time I must apply for residence. I'm quite happy to do that, and plan to do it asap.
A number of questions:
1. What are the realistic chances of my achieving this in 4 months?
2. We will probably be settling in the region of Salzburg. Can this be done through Salzburg, or do I need to go to Vienna for the red-tape stuff?
3. Are there any things that I should take care to do or not to do?
4. Is there any special documentation that I need to take?
5. As a South African, are their any special hoops that I have to jump through?
6. I am self-employed. 90% of my work is done online, and my clients (mainly academic institutions) may be anywhere in the world. What are the complications there? May I continue working online from Austria with my SA clients?
Thanks very much.
Ken
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Ken Masters
IT Health Education
http://www.ithealthed.com
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