Visa needed?

Entry clearance requirements depend on the citizenship of the applicant. Citizens of many countries do not need a visa to visit Germany for stays of up to 90 days. Please check our country list if you are not sure whether you need a visa: country list

Where and how to apply?

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 require that you schedule an appointment in order to apply for a visa. Appointments have to be booked via our free online appointment system. Except for rare instances, you have to submit your application in person.

Click below to find out where to submit your application and to learn about any specific application procedures. Due to local particularities handling and processing may vary slightly among the German Missions involved: Consulate Finder

Please note processing time of minimum 2 weeks. In some cases processing time may take up to 4 weeks plus additional business days for mailing of your documents. Therefore you should schedule an appointment as early as possible before your intended trip to Germany.

In order to apply for a visa, it is not necessary to use services of an agency or service provider for facilitation. Also, some of such agencies provide false claims and information regarding the visa process.

Please be aware that the submission of forged documents and/or itineraries can lead to the rejection of the visa application.

Under certain circumstances, applicants can also submit their visa applications via mail

What do I need to fill out and bring?

• Online Schengen Visa Application Form​​​​​​​
• Declaration of Accurancy
• Visa Photo Examples
• Visa Fees
• Information on Data Protection

Which documents are required?

• Checklist: Schengen Visa Requirements
• Additional Information on Schengen visa for minors under 18 years