Bringing Family Home - Step one Navigating the EVE Process in Austria (for Indians)

 Bringing Family Home - Step one Navigating the EVE Process in Austria (for Indians)

Living in Austria is a wonderful experience, offering so much in terms of culture, nature, and opportunities. Yet, for many of us who've moved here from India, there's a constant, quiet ache – the longing for family. While we build new lives and cherish the friendships we make here, nothing truly replaces the comfort of being with our parents, siblings, or close relatives. Video calls bridge the distance, but they can't replicate a shared meal, a spontaneous conversation, or simply being in the same room. It's during festivals, birthdays, or even just on a regular Sunday afternoon, that the desire to have our loved ones from India visit us in our Austrian home becomes strongest.

This is often when we look into how we can make that visit happen. For a visitor visa (Schengen visa) short-term or long term, one of the documents frequently required from our side in Austria is the Elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung, or Electronic Declaration of Commitment for Private Individuals – fondly called EVE.

Think of the EVE as your formal promise to the Austrian authorities. By submitting an EVE, you are electronically declaring that you will cover all costs related to your guest's stay in Austria, including living expenses, health insurance, and potential costs for repatriation if necessary. It's a significant responsibility, but it's also a standard and often required step to help your family members successfully apply for their visa from India.

So, how do you go about getting this done here in Austria? The process generally involves a few key steps:

1. Scheduling Your Appointment

The first step is to make an appointment with the local police station (Polizeidirektion) in your area of residence in Austria. This is where you will formally submit your application for the EVE. You can often book an appointment online (like via this link: [https://citizen.bmi.gv.at/at.gv.bmi.fnsetvweb-p/etv/public/fga/Terminvereinbarung?locale=de]).

When booking, make sure you select the correct category, typically "EVE - Verpflichtungserklärung Privateinladung". Also, specify the right number of people (sponsors) who will be attending the appointment at the police station and how many people you are planning to invite.

2. Preparing Your Documents

You'll need to bring a comprehensive set of documents to your appointment. I'm a creature of habit and always have a list prepared! While the official invitation letter you receive might also include a list, here's a general rundown of what you (the sponsor/s) will likely need:

• Proof of your EVE Appointment booking
• Completed EVE Application form (Note: While some police stations might not ask for this, both times I applied, they did.) Here is the EVE Form 
• Passport(s) of the sponsor(s)
• Residence permit(s) of the sponsor(s)
• Meldezettel of the sponsor(s)
• Wage and salary slips for the last 3 months of the sponsor(s)
• Bank statements for the last 3 months of the sponsor(s)
• Income tax return / Income tax assessment notice of the sponsor(s)
• Tenancy agreement of the sponsor(s)
• Declaration regarding the relationship to the person(s) you are inviting
• KSV 1870 report of the sponsor(s)
• Notification of the visa applicant's planned length of stay and place of residence in Austria
• Copy of the passport + address of the invited person(s)
• Information on existing care obligations (if any)
• Proof of savings (if available) of the sponsor(s)

Tips for Documents & Appointment:

• Bank Statements: When printing your bank statement, it's helpful to highlight your salary and any other fixed income (like FamilienHilfe). Also, mark recurring expenses such as rent, internet bills, mobile bills, ORF Fees, insurance, or monthly Jahrcart for travel. You don't need to highlight daily expenses like groceries or medicines.
• Co-Sponsors: If you and your spouse are both earning, you can be co-sponsors. In this case, you will need to provide the relevant documents for both individuals.
• Be Punctual: It's always important to be on time for your appointment with all your documents ready.

3. Your Experience & What to Expect at the Polizeidirektion

This is where my personal experience comes in.

The appointment itself can vary in length. For me, it took between 30 to 45 minutes on both occasions, though I know some people who finished in under 15 minutes. While I've seen many people manage fine with English, I once had to reschedule and bring a friend who was fluent in German to ensure smooth communication. It really depends on the officer you meet and your comfort level.

At the end of the appointment, the officer will usually provide you with a draft copy of the EVE details. It's crucial to carefully verify this draft for any typos, especially with names, as Indian names might not be familiar to Austrian officials. Once everything is confirmed, you will receive the final copy to sign. You'll give one signed copy back to the officer and keep one for your own reference.

Important Note: Make sure you allow at least 48 hours between your EVE appointment and the VFS appointment your visitors have in India. This time is generally recommended for the information you shared in Austria to be electronically transmitted to the relevant authorities processing the visa application in New Delhi.

Getting the EVE and helping family navigate the visa process from abroad can feel like a lot of work with multiple steps and documents. However, the joy and comfort of finally having them here in Austria, sharing your life with them, makes every single step of the journey absolutely worthwhile.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is based on personal experiences and is intended as a general guide. Please note that bureaucratic processes can vary significantly from case to case, much like snowflakes—no two experiences are exactly alike. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful information, we cannot guarantee that your experience will be identical to what's described here.

This guide is meant to provide you with a framework to navigate the process, but it's essential to understand that you may encounter variations or additional requirements specific to your situation. We encourage you to use this information as a starting point and to always verify current procedures with official sources.

We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on this information. Your journey through this process will be unique, and we hope this guide helps you face your own "bureaucratic snowflake" with more confidence and preparedness.