Do Us Citizens Need a Visa for Germany?
Citizens of the United States with a valid U.S. Tourist passport (blue passport) can travel to Germany and other countries of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days without having to obtain a Schengen visa.
If you wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you have to apply for a German residency permit.
Note: (Starting from November 2023, US citizens will have to apply for an ETIAS visa prior to their travel towards Germany and other Schengen member states, in order to be allowed to enter the territory.)
Below you can find more information on applying for a German visa from the United States.
Who Can Apply for a Germany Visa From Within the US?
All non-US citizens who do need a US VISA FOR GERMAN CITIZENS to enter the Schengen Area, who have legal residence status in the United States (e.g. Green Card holders; F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.), with three (3) months validity after returning from the Schengen area, are eligible to apply for a Germany Visa in the United States.
If your US visa has expired, please have it renewed before applying.
You can apply for a German visa via the Embassy of Germany in the US if:
- Germany is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
- Germany is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
- Germany is the first Schengen country you are visiting
In case you plan on staying in Germany for more than 90 days you must apply for a residency permit, not a Germany Schengen visa.
Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United States you should apply at the German Embassy in your country of residence.
Germany Visa Application Documents and Requirements for US Residents
- A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure that:
- Your passport has been issued (not extended) within the previous 10 years,
- Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
- Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
- Original of valid US alien registration card (residence permit aka. Green Card) or valid US residence visa (e.g. type A, E, F plus endorsed I-20 by a competent authority, G: H; I; J; plus J1 documents, L, O, R) must be presented.
- The US residence permit or visa should be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States.
- One application form (please see below) filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read the explanations carefully).
- Both photos must be taken within the last three months, according to the visa photo requirements.
- A cover letter that explains the purpose of the visit to Germany
- Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Germany (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
- Germany Travel Health Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Germany, but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30.000). US VISA FOR FRENCH CITIZENS and residents can easily purchase the travel insurance policy online from Europ Assistance, AXA-Schengen or MondialCare. All these travel insurance companies are accepted by German Embassies and Consulates in the United States.
- Proof of accommodation in Germany:
- Evidence of a hotel booking or rental agreement (Find and Book Cheap Hotels in Germany!), or
- Invitation from your German host (family member, friend) along with a copy of their passport or ID (Proof of sponsorship if dependant)
- Proof of financial subsistence:
- A recent statement of US bank account for the last three months, that show funds of at least $50 that are equivalent to 45€ per person per day spent in Germany, or
- Traveler’s cheques
Note: Photocopies of the original documents should also be submitted and documents should not be more than one month old.
The documents listed above are documents required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of your visit to Germany. Depending on your employment status, here is a list of additional documents that are required for your visa application:
For employees:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary
For the self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
For foreign students on F1 visas:
- Valid I-20
- Reference letter from the educational institution (school/college/university) stating that you are in good standing, your major and the expected date of graduation.
For retirees:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
- A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
- Spouse’s valid passport
- An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or German and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place. For more Details https://nexttnews.com/
Requirements for children under the age of 18
Underage children must be accompanied by parents or an adult guardian at the application center at the German Embassy Consulate General. Also, minors who are granted a German visa are not allowed to travel to Germany by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Germany.
Required documents for visa application for underage children
- Original birth certificate among others.
- Signed travel consent from both parents
- If one parent is not located in the United States they should submit their signed consent to the German Embassy/Consulate of their residing country
Note: All documents must be either in German or English or officially translated by a certified translator.
To find more about the documentation needed for applying for a visa to Germany click https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/germany/visa/ or https://www.germany-visa.org
Where and How to Apply for a Germany Visa in the US?
German consular services are available through its Embassy in Washington and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco.
All German Missions in the United States, require that you schedule an appointment in order to apply for a visa. Appointments have to be booked via a free online appointment system. Except for rare instances, you have to submit your application in person.
