Citizens of the USA with a legitimate United States passport (blue passport) can travel to Germany and other countries of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days without having to use or obtain a Schengen visa.
If you'd wish to stay in Germany for quite 90 days, you've to use for a Germany residency permit.
Note: (Starting January 1, 2023, US citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS visa before their travel towards Germany and other Schengen member states, soon be allowed to enter the territory.)
Below you'll find more information on applying for a Germany visa from the United States.
Who have to apply for a Germany Visa from USA?
All non-US citizens who do need a visa to enter the Schengen Area, who have domicile status within the us (e.g. identification holders; F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.), with three (3) months validity after coming back from the Schengen area, are eligible to use for a Germany Visa within the us .
If your USA visa got expired, you have to renewal before applying.
You can apply Germany visa through the Germany Embassy within the USA if:
- Germany is that the only Schengen country you propose on visiting
- Germany is your main destination (the country you'll be staying the longest in)
- Germany is that the first Schengen country you're visiting
In case you propose on staying in Germany for quite 90 days you'd wish to use for a residency permit, not a Germany Schengen visa.
Please, note that if you're not a resident within the United States you would like to use at the German Embassy in your country of residence.
Required Documents and Requirements to Apply Germany Visa for USA Residents
- A valid passport or Travel document. Please confirm that:
- Your passport needs to be granted within the previous 10 years,
- Your passport need to have 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
- Your passport are becoming to be valid for a minimum of three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
- Original of valid US Green card or US residence permit aka. Or valid US residence visa (e.g. A, E, F type with endorsed I-20 by a competent authority, G: H; I; J; with J1 documents, L, O, R) must be presented.
- The US residence permit or visa should be valid a minimum of three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States.
- One form (please see below) filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read the reasons carefully).
- Both photos must be taken within the last three months, consistent with the visa photo requirements.
- A cover letter that explains the aim of the visit to Germany
- Proof of travel arrangements: trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Germany (if several Schengen States are becoming to be visited or if the trip includes various Schengen countries and non-Schengen countries).
- Germany Travel insurance stating that you simply simply simply are covered just just just in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Germany, but within the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30.000). US citizens and residents can easily purchase the travel policy online from Europ Assistance, AXA-Schengen or MondialCare. of these travel insurance companies are accepted by German Embassies and Consulates within the us .
- Proof for staying in Germany:
- Proof of a hotel booking or agreement of rental (Find and Book Cheap Hotels in Germany!), or
- Invitation from your German host (family member, friend) alongside a reproduction of their passport or ID (Proof of sponsorship if dependent)
- Proof of monetary subsistence:
- A recent statement folks checking account for the last three months that show funds of a minimum of $50 that are like 45€ per person per day spent in Germany, or
- Traveler’s cheques
Note: Photocopies of the first documents should even be submitted and documents shouldn't be quite one month old.
The documents listed above are documents required altogether cases, no matter the aim of your visit in Germany. Counting on your employment status, here could even be a listing of additional documents that are required for your visa application:
For employees:
- Employment contract
- Current statement of the foremost recent 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Certificate of tax deducted from the source of income or salary or (ITR) Income Tax Return form
For the self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company statement of the foremost recent 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
For foreign students on F1 visas:
- Valid I-20
- Reference letter from the tutorial institution (school/college/university) stating that you simply are in good standing, your major and thus the expected date of graduation.
For retirees:
- Pension statement of the foremost recent 6 months
If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
- Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the corporate also because the starting date and it should be less 3 months’ time period
- Spouse’s valid passport
- An officially translated marriage certificate. the interpretation must be in English or German and must be certified as a real copy by the Embassy of the country where the wedding happened .
Requirements for teenagers under the age of 18
Underage children must be amid parents or an adult guardian at the appliance center at the German Embassy Consulate General. Also, minors who are granted a German visa aren't allowed to travel to Germany by themselves. They have to be amid an adult during their stay in Germany.
Required documents for visa application for underage children
- Original certificate among others.
- Signed travel consent from both parents
- If one parent isn't located within the USA they have to submit their signed consent to the German Embassy/Consulate of their residing country.
If you want find more information about Germany Visa process please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/
