The legislature has understandably given increasing thought to the economic situation and the availability of jobs when drafting new regulations to govern the status of foreigners who wish to remain in Austria for an extended stay. It is accordingly of the utmost importance that people intending to visit Austria should decide in advance whether they wish to stay for a comparatively long period. If the holder of a tourist visa, for instance, decides that he would like to become better acquainted with this country, he can only make the necessary arrangements after returning to his home country. This was not the case in the past. In deciding whether to grant these, the competent authorities take into account the applicant's personal situation - with particular reference to family ties, financial status and the amount of time he has spent in Austria prior to his application.
Permanent visas are still available to foreigners who fulfill certain criteria.
Among other things, they must either have been resident in Austria for an uninterrupted period of five years or else must be married to an Austrian citizen and share a household with their spouse. Permanent visas are intended, generally speaking, for people whose ties to Austria are in effect as strong as their ties to their native country. In Austria there are a number of reasons - for refusing to grant a visa. One of these is to stem the tide of illegal employment. A visa may be refused to an applicant who has previously entered the country on a tourist visa, taken up illegal employment and subsequently applied for a regular visa.