Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Visit Germany?

With so much red tape surrounding visas and long-term stays in Germany, it can be difficult to know when you need a visa and when you don’t. So, do US citizens need a visa to visit Germany? Let this complete, comprehensive guide show you the way!

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Germany?

Okay, first things first, US citizens don’t always need a visa to visit Germany. This is only for long-term stays or if you want to work while you’re there. As a visitor or tourist, it’s actually pretty easy to visit Germany as a US citizen.

Schengen

One of the easiest and best ways to visit Germany as a US citizen is to take advantage of the Schengen Zone. This is a group of European nations (mostly EU and EEA countries), where you can visit for up to 90 days out of a 180-day period without having to apply for a formal visa.

When you’re traveling on a Schengen allowance, you can jump between any of the countries in the Schengen Area without having to get individual visas. It’s worth noting that you have 90 days total, not 90 days in each country, so keep an eye on how long you’ve spent in the Schengen area.

Another thing to consider is that you can’t work on a Schengen pass, it’s purely a tourist visa. That includes digital nomadism or any other style of online work that you want to do while you’re away. 

How much money do you need to have for the Schengen visa?

If you’re a permanent US resident, but you’re not a citizen, you might need to apply for a Schengen visa. Among other documentation, you need to prove that you have the means to travel within the Schengen area, including Germany. 

a person holding money

The basic financial amount that you need to prove is EUR 45 or USD 48.99 per day. This basically means that you’re not going to be a burden on the state and you can support yourself well enough while you’re here.

Visiting German vs Moving to Germany

So, when we say visiting Germany, this is for a short period of time, usually under 90 days within a 180-day period, in line with the European short-stay visa rules. If you want to visit for longer than 90 days, you’re going to need a more permanent visa. 

Most people visit a country for under three months, even if they’re having a long trip where they’re traveling around a lot. This is predominantly because you have to save up a lot of money to visit a place for three months. In fact, most people would struggle to go this long without needing to work.

If you need to work abroad, you’re not really visiting. You’re jumping over to more of a digital nomad or temporary worker situation, which does require a visa in Germany, even for US citizens. So, be aware of the differences between visiting and moving to a different country as you don’t want to be caught out. 

Short Stay Visa Waiver for US Citizens

If you’re a US citizen, you actually don’t need to apply for a short-stay visa in a lot of cases. There are a total of 62 exempt countries on Germany’s list, so you might not even need one of the following visas. Check each individual short-stay visa to see if it’s part of the fee waiver system or not.

This does not apply to permanent US residents who are not citizens. In that case, it depends on your country of citizenship and how long you’ve been a US resident.

What kinds of Short-Stay German Visas are available?

Need to work while you’re in Germany? Well then, there are a whole host of different visas that US citizens can choose from so that they can legally visit Germany. There are a few different options open to US citizens traveling to Germany for under 90 days, so let’s dive in and find out more. 

a building with a flag

If you need to stay over 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a long-term D visa which has a lot more paperwork and eligibility criterias.

Tourist visa

So, your tourist visa is your standard Schengen visa-less travel situation for US citizens. If you’re a permanent resident but not a citizen, you might have to apply for an actual Schengen visa, depending on your country of citizenship.

Business visa

This short-stay visa lasts 90 days within a six-month period and need to be applied for before you arrive in Germany. This is essentially a short-term work visa, but it’s more for attending international meetings, business planning, and contract signing, rather than being formally employed in Germany for three months. 

US Citizens are actually exempt from this visa thanks to being one of the 62 countries on Germany’s short stay visa waiver list. 

Transit visa

Luckily US citizens are one of the select groups that don’t need to apply for a transit visa if you’re swapping planes in one of Germany’s major airports. As Frankfurt is both a business hub and home of Lufthansa, many major worldwide flight routes pass through Germany.

Training or internship visa

This is an interesting visa as Germany has said that anyone can come and do a training course or an internship in the country as long as they can find a business that will hire them in that position. US citizens don’t need to apply for a training or internship visa like many countries do, but they do need to apply for a resident permit as soon as they land.

You cannot start work until you’ve got your residence permit, so if you want to hit the ground running, you can always apply for a work permit at your local German embassy in the US before you travel.

Visa for cultural, filming, sports, or religious events

If your visit is niche enough to fit into one of the above events, you can apply for a very specific kind of German short-stay visa. Like the major of German short-stay visas, there’s an easy-to-follow application online and you can stay for up to 90 days out of 180 days.

Much like the Schengen tourist visa and the short-stay business visa, US citizens are exempt from needing this visa.

Exhibition and Trade Fair visa

If you’re a US citizen and either want to attend or present at an exhibition or trade fair, you do not need to apply for this short-stay visa. You guessed it – this visa also falls under the 62-country visa-less entry waiver.

Visa for medical treatment

If you need specific medical treatment in Germany, as a US citizen, you’re exempt from having to get a medical treatment visa. If your stay and treatment are under three months, you do not need to do anything in terms of bureaucratic paperwork.

If your treatment takes longer than three months, you’ll need to register with the local authorities when you first arrive in Germany. There is a National Medical visa for stays longer than three months, but US citizens are exempt at the moment. 

Long-term Visas in Germany for US Citizens 

As a US citizen, you do not need a visa for stays under 90 days, even if you’re going for training courses or business meetings. However, if you’re looking to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a more permanent visa and get your resident permit when you arrive in Germany. 

Some of these visas include:

  • Employed – if you already have a job offer in Germany.
  • Self-Employed – if you want to start your own business, or you want to work for yourself as a consultant, contractor, or freelancer. 
  • Freelancer Visa – specific to artists and creatives with cultural projects in Germany. 
  • Jobseeker – if you need to look for a job when you’re in Germany.
  • Au Pair visa – This is only for young adults who want to learn more about German culture and improve their language skills.
  • Working Holiday Visa – A few countries have a working holiday agreement with Germany so that young people can work as they travel. 
  • Joining family – If your family members are already German residents
  • Student visas – if you have been accepted to study in German
  • Academic or research visas – If you’re an expert in your field looking to conduct research in Germany.

What’s the process for getting a German Visa in the US?

So now you know the different kinds of German visas open to you as a US citizen, let’s dive in and find out more about the process of getting your visa. As US citizens do not need to apply for short-term visas, this process is predominantly for D-Visas (long-term German visas) that are for over 90 days.

Choose your visa

I cannot overstate how important it is that you look through all the different visa types and find the one that’s correct for your situation. There are some overlaps between some of the visas, especially if you’re self-employed, so making sure you’re applying for the right one is crucial.

It’s also important because some visas require different documentation to others. For example, if you’re joining your family in Germany, you may need references and information about where they’re living and their job information. You’re not going to need this for a working holiday visa!

Find out where to apply

As you’re applying from the US, you’re going to need to find your nearest BLS Visa Application Center. You can easily find the one closest to you online.

You might have to travel pretty far to your nearest one if you’re not in a major city, so factor this into your visa timeline and budget!

Book your appointment

Once you’ve found the closest BLS Visa Application Center to you, you need to book your appointment. It’ll tell you to select the relevant visa type, so make sure you’ve clicked the right one! 

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It’s best to give yourself plenty of time before your appointment because it can take a while to get all your documentation together and in order. Sometimes the BLS Visa Application Centers charge additional fees for the appointment, so be aware of this too.

Sort out your documentation

Getting all your documentation together can be a huge task, so make sure you give yourself a ton of time! You’ll need different documents for different visas, so look at your specific visa type and start collating all your information. 

Some visas might require original copies and others might only need copied versions, so make sure you pay attention to which is which! You’ll also need a couple of passport photos for your application. It’s worth getting a few extra because you’ll need some for permits and passes once you’re in Germany.

Pay the visa fee

When you pay the visa fee depends on the embassy or consulate they’re you’re applying through. Some places will want you to pay before your interview and some will wait until after.

The amount you need to pay will vary based on which visa you’re applying for, so again, check for the correct number for your situation.

Submit your application!

Okay, so when your appointment day arrives, you’ll have to submit all your documentation, passport, photos, application form – the whole lot to your local BLS Visa Application Center. They’ll look through your information and deem whether you’re eligible for a German visa or not. 

Depending on your chosen visa, you might also have to have an interview that outlines why you’re moving to Germany, what you plan on doing when you arrive, and how you plan to support yourself.

Where do I apply for a German Visa in the US?

If you’re applying for a German visa in the US, you need to visit your local BLS Visa Application Center. The thing is that it might not be the closest one to you. Different centers are eligible for residents of different states.

For instance, the BLS Visa Application Center in New York City is only eligible for residents of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Fairfield County in Connecticut, and Bermuda. The eligibility criteria of different centers vary a lot so make sure that you find the right one for you, and make an appointment at the correct place! 

The list of the different center locations is:

  • New York
  • Washington DC
  • Boston 
  • Miami
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • San Francisco
  • Los Angeles

So, if you happen to live in Hawaii or Alaska, your BLS Visa Application Center will be San Francisco. If you’re in Puerto Rico, it’ll be Miami, etc. If you live in one of the US overseas territories, there are also specific centers that you need to visit.

For example, residents of the American Virgin Islands need to go to Miami and residents of American Samoa need to book an appointment in Los Angeles. 

If you live in California, where there are two BLS Visa Application Centers, it comes down to the county or city that you live in. For example, if you live in San Diego, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, or a handful of other areas, you’ll be going to Los Angeles, if you’re from more northern counties, it’s likely that you’ll be heading to the center in San Francisco. 

What documents do you need for a German Visa? 

So, the type of documents that you’re going to need for your German visa will vary depending on the actual visa you’re applying for. In all visa cases, you need to make two copies of every piece of documentation, so make sure you have access to a photocopier – you’re going to need it!

There are some pieces of paperwork that apply for every German visa:

  • An application form. This can be found on the BLS Visa Application Center website and you need to make sure that you pick the right visa for your situation.
  • A declaration of the accuracy of information. Essentially, this is a checkbox that says you’re not lying about any information in your visa application.
  • A valid passport.
  • Two passport photos.
  • Proof of residency in the United States. This doesn’t need to be anything super official, just something like a utility bill or a bank statement will do the trick here. 
  • Your residence permit. You need to have two copies of your residence permit attached to your application
  • Proof of your Schengen travel health insurance. You need to buy decent medical insurance that covers you for at least EUR 30,000 or USD 32,660.06 across the Schengen Area and includes any medical emergencies.
  • Proof of accommodation. This needs to be where you’re staying once you’re in Germany. It could be your hostel address, Airbnb address, or the address of some relatives or friends that you’re going to be staying with.
  • A travel itinerary. You don’t need to submit a full day-by-day breakdown of your trip, you just need to show proof of onward travel. This could be a plane or train ticket that shows you won’t still be in the Schengen Area after your 90-day period.
  • Proof of funds. This is just your bank statements showing that you have enough money to support yourself while you’re in Germany.
  • A letter of invitation. If you’re staying with friends or family members, you need a formal letter or email inviting you to stay with them for the duration of your trip.
  • Any documentation for minors. If you’re traveling with minors, they’ll need documentation of their own, including permission from parents, birth certificates, and more.

If you’re going to Germany on an employed visa, you’ll need a letter from your employer and proof of a contract. For self-employed people, you’ll need a business plan, tax returns, and bank statements. 

Studying in Germany? You’ll need your acceptance letter from your new institution and proof of your student status. If you’re retired, you need proof that you’re retired. 

If you’re unsure about which specific documentation applies to your situation, read the application process for your chosen German visa!

Do you need to have an interview for a German Visa?

Honestly, this depends on the visa that you’re applying for and the individual BLS Visa Application Center. Sometimes you’ll get asked for an interview to explain your documentation and sometimes you won’t.

two women talking to each other

Realistically, it’s always best to be prepared to be interviewed about your trip or move, and then if it doesn’t happen, it’s one less thing to worry about. It’s definitely better than not preparing and then getting blindsided by the interviewer!

How long does it take to get a German Visa in the US?

Compared to a lot of visa application processes, the German Visa process for US citizens is actually pretty quick. Of course, the more complex the visa, the longer it tends to take!

On average, it takes around 2-4 weeks for a US citizen to get their German visa after applying while you’re still in the United States. This can be longer or shorter depending on the time of year and how many people are applying for visas at any given time. 

How far in advance can you apply for a German Visa?

It’s recommended that you apply for your German visa around three months before you want to travel. Even though the process only takes around 2-4 weeks, it can be longer, and it might take more time for you to get an appointment, especially if you need to travel to another state. 

You can’t apply for your German visa more than six months in advance as your details may be out of date, and the latest you can apply is 15 days before you travel to Germany, as it’s cutting it very fine to get everything approved! 

How much does a German Visa cost?

The cost of a German visa varies depending on the age of the person you’re applying for. If you’re over the age of 12, the visa application fee is 80 Euros, for children between 6-12 the fee halves to 40 Euros.

If you’re traveling with someone under six, they don’t have to pay a visa application fee. However, there is the BLS Visa Application Center Service fee of $42 that you need to pay on top.

This isn’t the actual cost of your visa though, this is just the application fee. Different visas cost different amounts, but this will become clear when you select your specific German visa type.

Keep in mind that you might need to add in travel costs to and from your nearest BLS Visa Application Center as well as costs to get some of your documents from local government offices if you don’t have the original copies to hand. It soon adds up, so make sure you have plenty of contingency money!

Can US citizens live and work in Germany?

The simple answer is yes, US citizens can live and work in Germany as long as they have the correct paperwork and provisions.

Although US citizens do not need visas for stays under 90 days, if you want to live and work in Germany for longer than three months, then you’re going to need to apply for a long-term visa.

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