Germany Visa from the USA

Germany is a Schengen country, and the USA is part of the Schengen visa waiver program. Therefore, Americans do not need a visa and enjoy visa-free travel to Germany and other Schengen member states from USA for up to 90 days every six months. You may need a visa for short-term visits to Germany from the US if:

• You’ve previously been denied entry into the Schengen Area.
• You’re not a US citizen, although you’re a resident of the US and your home country is not on Germany’s visa-free travel list

When the system becomes effective in 2026, Americans and persons of other nationalities currently enjoying visa-free entry to the Schengen Area will need an ETIAS to enter the region. The ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization granting foreign individuals from countries in the Schengen visa waiver agreement entry to the Schengen Zone.

You’ll also need a visa if you intend to stay in Germany for more than three months. The appropriate visa depends on your purpose of entry and the intended duration of stay. A German Long-stay visa also allows freedom of movement within the Schengen Zone.

Page Contents

• Do US Citizens Need A Visa for Germany?
• Can a Green Card Holder Travel to Germany Without a Visa?
• Who Can Apply for a German Visa from the US?
• Types of Germany Visas Available from the USA
• Where to Apply for a German Visa in the USA
• How to Apply for a Germany Visa from the US
• Requirements to Apply for a German Visa from the US
• Financial Requirements
• Insurance Requirements
• Photo Requirements
• Language Requirements
• Germany Visa Application Form
• How Long Does it Take to Get a German Visa from USA?
• Germany Visa Application Cost in the US
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

A US Green Card does not automatically grant you visa-free entry to Germany and the Schengen Area. The entry requirements for Green Card holders and US temporary residents depend on their nationalities and specific circumstances.

If you’re a legal resident of the US (whether temporary or permanent), you can travel to Germany without a visa if:

• You’re a national of a country in a visa-liberalization agreement with the US.
• You have dual citizenship, and one of your countries of nationality is an EU/EEA member state – in this case, you must travel with your EU passport.
• You have dual citizenship, and your second country has a visa-free agreement with the EU – in this case, you must travel with the passport of your visa-exempt country.

US residents from countries excluded from the EU visa-waiver program must apply for a visa to enter Germany whether they hold a green card or temporary resident permit.

US nationals and residents coming to Germany for long-term work, visa, or permanent relocation must obtain a type D German national visa.

You can apply for a German entry visa from the US if:

• You’re a legal resident of the US, but you are a national of a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with Germany. Your US residency must be valid for at least three months after your intended duration of stay in Germany.
• You’re a US citizen or national of a visa-exempt country previously denied entry into the Schengen Area.

If you fall into any of the above categories, you should apply for a Germany Schengen visa if:

• You’ll only be visiting Germany.
• Germany is your primary destination. If you intend to visit more than one country in the Schengen Zone, you must plan to stay longer in Germany. You cannot obtain a German Schengen visa if you intend to spend more time in another Schengen State. In that case, you should apply for that country’s visa and include Germany as a secondary destination.

Foreigners in the US on tourist, visitor, or summer work visas cannot apply for a Germany entry visa from the US. They must apply from their country of residence.

Germany’s US consulates (except the Consulate General in Atlanta) have outsourced their Schengen visa application process to BLS International. BLS has several visa application centers in the US, and you’re to apply for a German visa at the one closest to your residence in the US.

A designated member of staff will receive your application details at the application center and take your biometric data. The information will be registered on their Visa Information System (VIS) and sent to the German consulate for processing and decision-making. Your information will remain on the VIS for up to five years and can be used for subsequent visa applications to the Schengen Area.

If you reside in Atlanta and its surrounding areas, you can submit your application directly to the office of the German Consulate General in Atlanta. However, you must first make an appointment via the online appointment system of the German Consulate General in Atlanta.

The BLS visa application centers in the US and their respective jurisdictions are as follows.

• BLS Application Center in Washington DC covers Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia residents.
• BLS Application Center in Boston covers Connecticut (excluding Fairfield County), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
• BLS Application Center in New York covers Bermuda (British overseas territory), Fairfield County in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
• BLS Application Center in Chicago covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
• BLS Application Center in Houston covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• BLS Application Center in Los Angeles covers Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.
• BLS Application Center in Miami covers Florida, Puerto Rico, and the American Virgin Islands.
• BLS Application Center in San Francisco covers all remaining counties of California,  Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and the American overseas territories.

The steps to applying for a German visa from the US are as follows:

1. Determine the appropriate visa type: The type of visa you need depends on your purpose of coming to Germany. This step is very important as it will determine the exact visa you need to apply for and the documents that will be required of you.
2. Find your application center: You must submit your application for a German Schengen visa through BLS International. Locate the BLS International Visa Application Center covering your area of residence.
3. Schedule an appointment with the BLS Application Center: After determining the nearest BLS Application Center, create an account on BLS’ website and book a visa appointment. Since BLS is a third-party service provider, you’ll have to pay a service charge and other optional service fees.
4. Gather the required documents: Prepare all relevant supporting documents for your visa appointment. It’s essential to start gathering your documents early so it can be ready before the day of your visa appointment.
5. Submit your visa application: Go for your appointment at the BLS visa application center and submit your completed application form and the supporting documents. You’ll also submit your biometric information and answer some questions about your trip during this appointment.
6. Pay the visa application fee: You must pay the visa fee stipulated by the German embassy to process your application. You’ll make the payment when submitting your application.
7. Track your application: You can track your application status through the BLS website or opt for SMS alerts while booking your visa appointment.

How much money is required to prove financial stability on a German visa depends on the visa type and the length of your stay. However, it is advisable to go by the rule that a person should be able to prove they have a minimum of €45 (approx. $51) per day to spend during their stay in Germany.

Financial means can be shown via proof of sponsorship or bank statements.

The German authorities must be aware that the applicant has the amount required. This is simply so that the authorities can be sure that the applicant will not be a financial burden after they enter the country.

Those who have a mandatory visa requirement to enter the Schengen area will need to take out private health insurance or statutory health insurance to reside in Germany.

Health insurance regulations are different for guest workers, students, and immigrants, however.

When a person applies for a German visa, they will need to submit photographs of themselves that adhere to the government guidelines. The requirements are as follows:

• The photo should be 35x45mm (1.37×1.77 inches) in size
• The photo should be recent (no older than 6 months)
• The applicant’s face should take up 70–80% of the image
• A full frontal view of the face should be displayed
• The photo should be of high quality and accurately represent the person’s true appearance
• The background should be light gray
• The photo should be sharp in focus, properly contrasted, and clear
• Red eyes, reflections in the images, and shadows across the face are not accepted
• The lighting must be even
• The image must be on high-quality paper
• The print resolution must be at least 600 dpi
• The applicant must provide at least 2 of the same images

The language requirements for a German visa will depend on the specifics of the visa. For example, there is no language requirement for a tourist visa. However, student visas may benefit from German, even though there is no specified requirement.

Business visas often require a level of German proficiency, as do visas to join a family member in Germany. These people will need to prove they have a sufficient level of German to have everyday interactions.

Every type of visa requires a specific application process. Short-stay and long-stay visas have different processes and different forms, as do business visas, tourist visas, and family visas.

To apply, applicants should follow these steps:

1. Find out the visa type needed.
2. Check where to apply.
3. Fill out the relevant application form and collect the visa requirements and documents.
4. Schedule your visa interview.
5. Attend the interview at the appropriate Embassy or Consulate.
6. Await a response.

German visa application processing time in the United States is two to four weeks. There may be delays if the German consulate requests additional supporting documents.

To prevent delays, start your application at least eight weeks before your intended travel but not more than three months earlier. You’ll be notified once a decision is made on your application.

The German mission charges a non-refundable fee for German visa applications. The costs vary for different categories of persons. It must be paid in cash when submitting your visa application, as the German mission does not accept cheque or credit card payments.

German Schengen Visas will vary in cost. A German Schengen visa will cost:

• €90 for adults for a short-stay visa
• €75 for adults who apply for a long-stay visa
• €45 for children under 12 years of age
• Children under 6 years of age are free

BLS International, the authorized third-party agency for processing German visas from the US, also charges a basic service fee of $42.

Some categories may be exempt from paying fees or pay a lower amount. However, it is also worth taking into account the costs of travel insurance, obtaining copies of documents and translations, as well as flights, and showing you are financially capable.