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How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa

If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.

Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S.

Check if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you do not see your country listed, you will need a visitor visa.

Visitor (tourist) visas and other travel documents for entering the U.S.

The visitor visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two categories:

• B-1 for business travel
• B-2 for tourism and medical treatment

Learn about B-1 and B-2 visas , including:

• Reasons you would need each type of visitor visa
• How to apply
• What documents you will need
• Application fees
• How to prepare for your interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate

Along with your visa, you must bring a passport issued by your country of citizenship. When you arrive at your port of entry into the U.S., officials will issue you a Form I-94, which electronically records your arrival and departure dates. Learn more about Form I-94.

How to renew a visitor visa

The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State.

Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and contact them for visa renewal information.

Understand expiration dates for visas and I-94 forms

• The date you must depart the U.S. will be shown on your Form I-94. This date is determined by the Customs and Border Protection officer when you arrive at the port-of-entry into the U.S. 
• Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas while they are in the U.S.

LAST UPDATED: May 31, 2024

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• Schengen Visa

Business / Tourism / Visitor Visa

• Airport Transit Visa

Online Schengen Form

• Online Schengen Visa Application Form

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Below mentioned forms/checklist are mandatory for all visa categories accepted by BLS

• Declaration of Accuracy
• Photographs as per specifications
• Information on Data Protection

Credit card authorization form

Documents required checklist, schengen visa requirements.

• Schengen Visa (EU/EEA spouse, parent or child)
• Schengen Visa (German spouse, parent or child)

A Schengen visa is required if you intend to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180 day period for business, visitor or tourist purposes.

Please note that 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.

Visa needed?

Entry clearance requirements depend on the citizenship of the applicant.

We are pleased to confirm that persons holding a US passport do not require a visa for the Schengen Member States, provided that the duration of their stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180 day period and provided that no economic activity is being pursued. If you are not a US passport holder, please check our country list to see if you need a visa: country list

Where and how to apply?

The applications for Schengen visa can be submitted at BLS Visa Application Centre with prior appointment only. Please click here to schedule the appointment.

Documents required for filing Schengen visa application

• Travel Health Insurance - Travel insurance is mandatory for entering Germany. You may take out any travel insurance as long as it meets the Schengen requirements. A health insurance should have the coverage of at least 30.000,- €, valid for all Schengen countries, including medical treatment, medical evacuation and medical repatriation back into the USA as well as repatriation of mortal remains. Only insurance confirmation, no letters of employer, is accepted. The insurance has to be issued in either the US or in Germany.). Europ Assistance offers a suitable travel insurance."-->

Visa Fee and BLS Charges (CREDIT CARDS are not acceptable as a means of payment in the VISA CENTERS!)

*BLS SERVICE FEES IS APPLICABLE FOR ALL INCLUDUNG 0-6 YEARS.

Optional Value-Added Services:

The below are optional services and are not mandatory to avail at the center where you are submitting your application.

Following visa categories are exempted from paying the visa fee:

• Scholarship recipients of German scientific organizations
• Spouse and family of EU members should not have any Consulate visa fees, only BLS and VAS
• University students on study trips
• Students and accompanying teachers on educational trips
• Researchers holding a doctoral degree or an appropriate higher education qualification which gives access to doctoral programs

Whether or not you can benefit from a fee exemption can only be determined when your visa application is submitted.

Important Information:

• All fees are payable in USD only as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice.
• BLS charges (Service Fee & fee for optional services) are non-refundable

Mode of payment:

• Cash, Debit Card and Digital Pay only
• Credit Cards/Money orders are not accepted
• Please bring exact cash or loose change if paying by cash; if change is unavailable, a debit card will be needed

Processing Time

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 your documents.

The decision to approve or refuse a visa is entirely up to the German missions. Also note, German missions reserve the right to request missing and/or additional documents in the application process.

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Visa for Germany

We hope you understand that we cannot respond individually to questions featured in this catalogue.

Please contact the Help Desk if you haven't found the answer to your question.

You are living abroad and you are in need of consular information? Please contact the German mission which is competent for your place of residence.

German missions abroad: Countries A to Z

Do I need a visa for Germany?

On the Federal Foreign Office webpage you can find out whether you need a visa for visits to Germany and the Schengen states of up to 90 days. Most non- EU -foreigners wanting to work or study in Germany or to stay longer than 90 days in Germany for other purposes, usually need a visa.

Exceptions are indicated in the relevant list of countries.

• Overview of visa requirements/exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany
• The Schengen Agreement

Visa regulations

I am a (non-German) EU citizen and want to visit Germany with my spouse (who is not an EU citizen). Does my spouse need a visa?

If you and/or your spouse live in a Schengen country, the situation is as follows:

As holder of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country, you need no visa for short-term stays in other Schengen countries - so you need no visa for Germany either. In any 180 days period you may stay for up to 90 days maximum in another Schengen country. Please check with the relevant authorities in your country of residence whether your spouse's residence permit entitles him or her to visa-free travel within the Schengen area.

If you or your spouse live in an EU country where the Schengen Agreement does not apply or not apply in full, the situation is as follows:

If the authorities of your country of residence have issued your spouse with a “residence card of a family member of a Union citizen” pursuant to Art. 10(1) of Directive 2004/38/EC, he or she needs no visa for travel within the EU .

If you and your spouse live outside the EU , your spouse will need an entry visa if he or she is from a country subject to a visa regime. In this case, however, a facilitated visa procedure applies.

If you have further questions, please visit the website of the relevant German mission or contact the mission directly.

The EU provides a guide to your rights as an EU citizen .

Are there special visa arrangements for EU citizens?

EU citizens do not need a visa to visit, live or work in Germany. They only have to register at the local German registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).

Additional information is available at the European Job Mobility Portal.

• European Job Mobility Portal

Do foreigners with a residence permit for one of the Schengen member states need a visa to visit Germany?

Please note that not all EU members fully apply the Schengen Agreement, but that some non- EU countries do apply it fully.

Non- EU citizens living in one of the countries that do apply the agreement fully (so-called Schengen States) with a valid residence permit do not need a visa for visits to Germany of up to 90 days in any period of 180 days when not taking up work.

Schengen states:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. For non- EU citizens living in another European country regular visa regulations apply.

My visa was issued by a mission of another Schengen state. Can I use it to travel to Germany?

Yes. Holders of

- a Schengen visa (text on the visa reads “valid for Schengen states”),

- a residence permit of a member state or

- a national visa of a member state

can also travel to Germany for up to 90 days in any period of 180 days.

The Schengen visa should, however, have been issued by a mission of the country which is the main destination. The country of entry and departure is not the determining factor.

What countries are Schengen states?

I'm planning a trip by air and have to transit at a german airport. do i need a visa.

The vast majority of foreign travellers benefit from the “transit privilege” - if during a stopover at a German airport, you do not leave the International Airport Area and if the destination is not in a Schengen country, you do not need a transit visa.

However, if for some reason you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover (for example to change terminals or if the destination is in a Schengen country), you may require a visa; please plan for this. You should apply for a visa well before you travel!

Only five airports in Germany have an International Transit Area enabling you to transit without formally entering the Schengen area:

• Frankfurt/Main
• Hamburg (4.30 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. only)
• Düsseldorf (6.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. only) and if the airline has arranged the transit beforehand with the authorities responsible for cross-border security (the Federal Police)
• Berlin-Brandenburg

Nationals of the following countries do not have the transit privilege and therefore require an airport transit visa (category A) for transit at a German airport:

• Afghanistan
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• South Sudan

* certain exceptions apply to these countries

Exceptions from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa:

• Holders of valid visas and national residence permits from EU and Schengen countries
• Holders of certain national residence permits from the following countries: Andorra, Japan, Canada, San Marino, United States of America
• Holders of valid visas from the EEA countries (the EU , Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) and visas issued by Japan, Canada and the United States of America

I don't need a visa for my trip to Germany, but are there other things I should bear in mind?

You can only enter Germany if you have valid identity papers. On the planned date of departure from Germany, your passport has to be valid at least for another three months and it has to be issued within the last 10 years.

In certain cases, documents have to be presented that prove the purpose and circumstances of the visit.

Similarly, proof may also have to be provided that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself during your stay and to finance the return trip. The amount of funding depends on the type and length of stay. There are no fixed daily rates.

You are advised to take out health insurance before your trip which also covers return transport to your home country.

In cases of repeated entries and a longer duration foreigners who are not nationals of a European Union or European Economic Area state must bear in mind that visits to the Schengen area are restricted to 90 days in any period of 180 days.

For longer stays for example to study or take up employment, different regulations often apply.

What is the procedure for applying for a work visa?

What is the procedure for applying for a student visa, my visa was issued by a german mission abroad. can i use it to travel to other countries in europe, do i have to enter and leave via germany or can i do so elsewhere.

Yes, you can. Holders of

- a Schengen visa (text on the visa reads “valid for Schengen states”)

- a national visa (D-visa)

can stay in the entire Schengen area for up to 90 days in any period of 180 days. The Schengen area consists of the following countries:

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen visa has to be applied for at the foreign mission of the country which is the main destination. The country of entry and departure is not the determining factor. The entry into and departure from the Schengen area can thus occur at any border crossing.

I am a foreigner living in Germany and am planning a trip abroad. Do I need a valid passport and visa?

As a foreigner you are requested to hold a valid passport or document in lieu of a passport at any time. In general, the issuance and extension of foreign passports have to be applied for at the competent foreign missions in Germany, except for recognized asylum seekers, recognized refugees according to the Geneva Refugee Convention, stateless persons or those entitled to subsidiary protection. The mentioned groups are mostly issued a passport in lieu of a passport (Passersatzpapier) by the local Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) at the place of residence. There are three types of those documents:

- Travel document for refugees (“Blue Passport”)

- Travel document for stateless persons

- Travel document for foreigners

Holders of Blue Passports are in general allowed to travel to all the countries which have signed the Geneva Refugee Convention. Please note that for many of these countries, however, you may have to apply for a visa in advance. Information on visa provisions for non-German citizens wanting to travel to a third country can only be provided by the respective foreign mission of the country concerned. The addresses of the foreign missions in Germany are available here:

Foreign Missions in Germany

However, you are not allowed to travel to your country of origin - this would imply that you no longer need humanitarian protection; you risk losing your asylum in Germany if you travel to your home country.

Foreign nationals who are in possession of a valid German residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) may travel for a period of up to 90 days within 180 days to other Schengen-States, so do not need a visa. This applies as well to holders of a German Visa of the category “D”.

In both cases, general entry requirements of Article 6 Section 1 letters a, c and e of the Regulation ( EU ) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) are fulfilled and the person is not listed by the relevant Member State as not permitted.

In case of doubt please get in touch with the competent mission of the country in Germany.

• Who are Member States of the Schengen Agreement?
• Vertretungen anderer Staaten: Länder A-Z
• Schengen Border Code
• Travelling abroad for refugees (Handbook Germany)

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland have all acceded to the Schengen Agreement and are thus Schengen states.

The Schengen area thus includes all EU member states except Ireland and Cyprus; at present the EU members Bulgaria and Romania only apply some of the Schengen provisions. Until these three countries apply what is known as the Schengen acquis in full, as is their aim, passport controls will remain in place at internal borders. In addition to the EU countries already mentioned, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also Schengen states.

Holders of Schengen visas (text on the visa reads “valid for Schengen states” in the language of the issuing country) may spend up to 90 days in a given 180 days period in the Schengen area, provided their visa is valid at the time. The same applies to holders of most national residence permits and national category D visas issued by individual Schengen states for long‑term visits of more than three months. A separate visa may well be needed for travel to other EU states which are not Schengen states.

Where do I have to apply for my visa? And who is responsible for the decision?

Visas have to be applied for prior to entry at the German mission abroad covering the place of residence of the applicant.

Please find more information on the webpage of the competent German mission.

The decision on granting a visitor/business visa lies with the competent German mission abroad. The mission also decides on granting visas for longer stays and/or to take up work or studies. These, however, can in most cases only be issued with the approval of the aliens authority concerned.

If a visa application is rejected, the applicant has the option of writing to the visa department of the competent German mission abroad asking for the reasons leading to the rejection of your application (known as remonstration). Please note that you have to submit the remonstration yourself.

How long does my passport have to be valid if I want to apply for a visa for a trip to Germany?

On the planned date of departure from Germany, your passport has to be valid at least for another three months and it has to be issued within the last 10 years. It should also contain at least two empty pages where the visa can be inserted.

I want to travel to Germany/the Schengen area several times in the next few months. Can I apply for a visa with longer validity?

The mission abroad decides what type of visa to issue (period of validity, number of days covered) on the basis of the documents submitted. If necessary, it may issue a visa that entitles the holder to enter the Schengen area on multiple occasions within the given period of validity. Such annual or multi-annual visas, which are valid for one or more years, are as a rule only issued to persons who have already been to Germany or other Schengen states several times in the past and whom the mission abroad considers to be particularly trustworthy (e.g. because of their position in the host country). Please note that regardless of the length of validity, visas only entitle the holder to a maximum stay of 90 days in any period of 180 days.

I am in Germany on a tourist/visitor/business visa. For important reasons, I want to stay in Germany past the expiry date of my visa.

Can i have my visa extended in germany.

It is only possible to extend the validity of visas in certain exceptional cases. This can only be done by the foreigners authority in Germany covering the place of residence of the visa holder. This is the only authority that can decide on an extension of a visa during a visit to Germany. Neither the Federal Foreign Office nor its missions abroad can do so.

The person I issued an invitation for has had their visa application rejected (Tourist/Visitor/Business). What can I do?

The notification sent to the applicant by the mission abroad states not only that the visa application has been unsuccessful, but also gives the grounds on which it was rejected and information on the applicant's right to appeal the decision.

If a visa application is rejected, the applicant has one month to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the mission abroad. The mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one month) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the mission.

For reasons of data protection, information about individual visa applications may only be provided to the applicant personally or to a person whom the applicant has authorized in writing to receive such information.

What is the procedure for applying for a tourist/visitor/business visa? Can we apply for the visa in Germany?

The visa always has to be applied for by the person who intends to travel to Germany. Details on the documents to be presented at the time of application are often available on the webpage of the competent German mission or directly from the mission itself.

For private visits, an invitation is usually required to confirm the purpose of the journey. In case the visitor is not able to fully cover the expenses associated with the trip a formal pledge to cover all costs (declaration of commitment) has to be presented with the visa application. In this case the host can sign the relevant form (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) at his/her residency's local authorities (usually Ordnungsamt or Ausländerbehörde).

For my visa application I need an invitation from a relative/acquaintance living in Germany. What form does such an invitation have to take?

In the first place, an invitation proves the purpose of the intended journey. Therefore, no special formalities are required. If, however, the host intends to cover the expenses associated with the trip, a formal pledge to cover all costs (declaration of commitment) has to be presented with the visa application. In this case the host can sign the relevant form (“Verpflichtungserklaerung”) at his/her residency's local authorities (usually Ordnungsamt or Auslaenderbehoerde).

I am not a German national and want to marry my German partner in Germany. What do we have to do to get an entry visa?

First of all find out from the competent registry office in Germany what documents you and your German spouse have to present in order to marry in Germany.

As soon as the registry office confirms your documents are complete, you can apply for a visa to marry in Germany.

Once you are married the final residence and work permit will be issued by the foreigners authority in Germany.

Details on the documents to be presented with your visa application are often available on the webpage of the competent German mission abroad or directly from the mission itself.

Does my foreign spouse have to provide proof of German language skills when applying for a visa (i.e. before arriving in Germany?)

I am not an eu national and want to live in germany with my german spouse. what do we have to do.

First of all you have to apply for a visa for family reunification (subsequent immigration of spouses) from the competent German mission abroad.

Documents required include an authenticated marriage certificate as well as the German passport of the German spouse.

The German mission will forward the visa application to the foreigners authority in the place where you want to live in Germany for an opinion.

The German mission abroad can only issue a visa for entry once the foreigners authority has given its approval. The final residence permit will be issued by the foreigners authority in Germany once you are there.

I am a German citizen and want to move to another EU country with my spouse (who is not an EU citizen). Does my partner require a visa?

National residence permits issued by the Federal Republic of Germany entitle the bearer to travel to the other Schengen countries of the EU without a visa. If you intend to move to an EU country that does not belong to the Schengen area, it is possible that your spouse may not require a visa if he or she holds a national residence permit.

If your spouse does not hold a national residence permit, an entry visa is generally required if he or she is from a country subject to a visa regime. In this case, however, a facilitated visa procedure applies.

A visa is not required if your spouse has been issued with a “Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen” pursuant to Art. 10 (1) of Directive 2004/38/EC. If you and your spouse intend to move from one EU country, of which you are not a national, to another EU country, you should first establish the applicable regulations with regard to visas.

If you have any other questions, please contact the responsible mission abroad for the EU country in question directly and visit their website for further information.

I am not a German national but am living and working in Germany with a valid residence permit. Can my spouse ....

...who is also not a German national live and work with me in Germany?

If you want to live in Germany with your spouse you have to submit an application for family reunification to the competent German mission abroad. Details on the documents to be presented with your visa application are often available on the webpage of the competent German mission abroad or directly from the mission itself.

EU citizens as well as citizens of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland citizens have the right to live and work in Germany . After arrival , they just need to register with the appropriate office of the town hall ( mostly called “Einwohnermeldeamt” or “ Bürgeramt ”) of their residence in Germany .

Studying and working in Germany

Yes. Under the amended Immigration Act which entered into force on 28 August 2007, foreign spouses have to prove they have at least a basic knowledge of German. For detailed information on this, please click on the link below to the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. You can also request further information directly from the German diplomatic missions in the respective country.

• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

Do I need a visa if I want to study/work in Germany?

As a general rule, all foreigners staying in Germany for more than 90 days wanting to work or study in Germany need a visa before entering Germany. For more information:

Nationals of Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States may apply for the necessary permit after arrival in Germany. The same applies for nationals of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino who do not intend to take up employment.

EU citizens as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland citizens have the right to live and work in Germany. After arrival, they just need to register with the appropriate office of the town hall (mostly called “Einwohnermeldeamt” or “Bürgeramt”) of their residence in Germany.

If you plan to study in Germany, you have to submit an application for a student visa to the respective German mission abroad before travelling. Citizens of the EU are exempted from this duty, as well as - under certain conditions according to the EU -mobility program - foreigners who already hold a temporary residence permit as a student issued by another EU -country, due to the EU -mobility program, please see the Implementation Status of the REST-Directive of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Documents have to be presented proving inter alia that the applicant has been accepted for studies by the university. The German mission abroad will then forward the visa application for an opinion to the foreigners authority in the town housing the University.

The German mission abroad can only issue the visa for entry once the foreigners authority has given its approval.

Details on the documents to be presented with your visa application are often available on the website of the competent German mission abroad or directly from the mission itself. the application form for a visa can be downloaded here .

When applying for a student visa, how can I prove that my financing is secure?

Financing can be proved by presenting the income and financial circumstances of parents, by a declaration of commitment in line with Article 66-68 Aufenthaltsgesetz (German Foreigners Act) made by a person with sufficient assets or income, by paying a security into a blocked account in Germany, or by depositing an annually renewable bank guarantee at a bank in Germany. Proof of sufficient funds is also taken as satisfied if the stay is being financed by a scholarship from public funds or a scholarship from an organization recognized in Germany or a scholarship financed by public funds in the country of origin, if the Federal Foreign Office, the German Academic Exchange Service ( DAAD ) or another German organization granting scholarships has been responsible for providing the link to a German higher education institution.

• German Academic Exchange Service ( DAAD )
• I want to study in Germany. Where can I apply for a scholarship?

How long does it take to issue my student visa? Can you speed up the process?

Visa applications of students need amongst other things the approval of the competent German alien´s authority. Therefore the processing time for student visas may take several weeks, in individual cases even months. Applicants for student visas are encouraged to read all the relevant information on the respective German mission´s website carefully before their appointment and hand in only complete paperwork. This is the best way to assure a speedy process.

As soon as there is a development in the processing, the applicant will be contacted.

Kindly be advised that the help desk of the German Foreign Office is not able to speed up the process or check the status of the application.

As a general rule non- EU nationals need a residence title (visa or residence permit) to take up employment in Germany. By law the residence title has to give information whether and to which extent access to the labour market is granted. This information replaces the former work permit. If you intend to commence work in Germany you have to apply for a visa with the competent German mission abroad before entering Germany. (Only nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States may apply for the necessary residence title after arrival in Germany.)

Details as to which documents have to be presented with your visa application are available on the webpage of the competent German mission abroad or directly from the mission itself.

Can I take on holiday jobs in Germany?

Germany has concluded bilateral agreements on working holiday stays with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Chile, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Related content

Frequently asked questions (faq).

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In this article

Applying for a Schengen Visa from the United States

US citizens can visit EU/Schengen countries without needing a visa. However, if you live in the US and you are a passport holder of a country that hasn’t established visa-free agreement with the EU, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa if you plan to visit any country in the Schengen Area.

Our team of Schengen visa experts has crafted this guide to assist you in applying for a Schengen visa from the US. Filled with valuable tips and expert advice, this brief yet comprehensive guide will help you prepare thoroughly for your Schengen visa application in the US.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.S.?

To apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.S., you have to follow these steps:

Check if You Need a Schengen Visa

Confirm your eligibility to apply from the us, understand the type of visa you need.

• Determine Where to Lodge Your Visa Application in the US
• Complete and Download the Application Form

Schedule Your Visa Appointment

Prepare the required documents, attend your appointment, wait for the visa to process, collect your passport.

Whether or not travelers from the US require a visa to enter the EU/Schengen area varies depending on nationality.

• U.S. Citizens : Generally, U.S. citizens do not need a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) unless they have previously been denied entry to the Schengen area.
• You hold a passport from a country without a visa liberalization agreement with the EU.
• You were previously denied entry into the Schengen area without a visa.

You can also use our Schengen visa wizard , crafted by our team of visa experts, to determine if you require a visa to travel from the US to the Schengen zone. This tool also assists you in locating the appropriate embassy, consulate, or visa application center in the US where you can submit your Schengen visa application.

You must be a legally registered resident of the United States to be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from the US.

You’ll need to have a valid residence permit, like a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), a US alien registration card, or a valid US resident visa (types A, E, F with an endorsed I-20, G, H, I, J with a J1 document, L, O, R).

Additionally, this permit should remain valid for at least three months after your intended return from the Schengen Area.

As a Non-US Resident, Where Should I Submit My Application?

If you are a non-US resident, you cannot apply for a Schengen visa in the US—you have to apply from your home country.

If your plan involves a short trip to EU/EEA/Schengen, lasting up to 90 days, whether it’s for tourism, visiting friends and family, or business purposes, you should apply for a short-stay visa, commonly referred to as a C-type or Schengen Visa.

Short-Stay Visa (C) Types

• Transit visa . If you’re passing through a Schengen airport on your way to another destination, you’ll need an onward flight ticket along with a visa for your final destination (if applicable). Check if you need an Airport Transit Visa!
• Tourism visa . This visa is for people who plan to travel to the EU/Schengen solely for tourism, sightseeing, etc.
• Visa for visiting family or friends. If you visit family or friends in the EU/Schengen, you will need an invitation letter from them.
• Medical treatment visa. If you will receive medical treatment in an EU/Schengen medical facility.
• Business visa. If you will be traveling for business-related activities, such as attending meetings, conferences, etc.
• Cultural, religious, or sports events visa. This visa is for travelers who will be attending a cultural event, such as an art show or festival, a religious event, or sports-related activities.
• Official visit visa. For individuals traveling as representatives of their country for official visits.
• Short-term study visa. If you’ve been accepted into a short-term study program lasting up to three months.

As you complete the application form, you must specify the purpose of your visit.

If you’re traveling from the US to the Schengen zone for reasons other than short visits or if you intend to stay for more than 90 days, you’ll require a long-stay visa, which is also referred to as a D-type visa or National visa.

Long-Stay Visa (D) Types

These types of visas are issued to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who wish to travel to a Schengen or EU country for work or for any purpose that requires a stay of longer than 90 days.

Each EU/Schengen member country handles the issuance and rules of its national visas separately. For precise details on visa purposes and regulations, visit their official websites.

Determine Where to Lodge Your Visa Application

Where you should lodge your Schengen visa application in the US depends on which Schengen country—or countries—you will travel to.

If Visiting One Schengen Country

If you only plan to visit one Schengen country during your trip, where to apply is pretty straightforward: you should apply for the visa of that country you plan to visit. For example, if you’re only going to Germany, then apply for a German Schengen visa.

It gets slightly trickier when you visit multiple countries.

If Visiting More Than One Schengen Country

If you will travel to multiple countries within the Schengen Area, to determine where you should lodge your application, consider the following factors:

• Main destination. You should apply for a visa from the country in which you will be spending the most time. For instance, if you plan to spend a week in France and two days in Italy, apply for a French visa.
• Entry point. If you are spending an equal amount of time in various Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa from the country you will be entering the Schengen zone first.

Finding the Right Submission Location

Schengen visa application centres in the us: where to apply for each schengen country.

Please review the following to decide whether you should apply for your Schengen visa at the embassy/consulate of the Schengen country in the US or through Visa Application Centers (VACs). These VACs are authorized by the EU missions in the United States.

Here’s where to lodge your Schengen visa application in the U.S. based on each Schengen Member State:

When applying for an Austrian visa from the US, you have to submit your application at a VFS application center or the Austrian Consulate in Los Angeles.

To apply for a visa to Belgium in the US, you have to lodge your application at one of the following:

You have to lodge the application for a Croatia visa at the Croatian Embassy to the US or in one of the General Consulates:

See the addresses of the Croatian Embassy and Consulates in the US.

To apply for a Cyprus visa from the US, you have to lodge your application at either the Cyprus Embassy in Washington, DC or the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York. Find the address of the Cyprus Embassy or Consulate here.

Czech Republic

To apply for a Czech Republic visa, you have to lodge your application in one of the following locations, depending on which US State you live in:

When applying from the USA, you have to lodge your application for a Denmark visa at one of the VFS Centres in:

• San Francisco
• Washington DC

When applying from the USA, you have to lodge your application for an Estonia visa at one of the VFS Centres in:

• Los Angeles

When applying from the USA, you have to lodge your application for a Finland visa at one of the VFS Global centres in:

When applying from the US, you have to lodge your France visa application at one of the following VFS Global centers:

To get detailed guidance on applying for a Germany Schengen visa from the US, refer to the following resource:

How to Apply for a German Schengen Visa in the U.S.

You should start by figuring out where to submit your Germany visa application in the US , and then schedule your Germany visa appointment accordingly.

Here’s where to apply for a Greek visa in the USA:

When applying from the USA, you can lodge your application for a Hungary visa at the Hungarian embassy in Washington DC, or one of the Consulates General in New York, Chicago, or LA.

You can lodge your application for an Iceland visa at one of the following VFS Global centers in the US:

You can lodge your application for an Italy visa at the Italian embassy in Washington or one of the Consulates.

In the US, you can lodge your application for a Latvia visa in a VFS Global center:

You can also lodge your application at the following locations:

• Embassy of Latvia in Washington, D.C
• Consulate General of Poland in Los Angeles
• Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago
• Consulate General of Poland in Houston

Note: Citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus can only apply for a visa in person at the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C.

In the US, you can lodge your application for a Lithuanian visa in one of the following VFS centers:

You have to lodge your application for a Luxembourg visa at the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington or the Consulates in San Francisco or New York, depending on where you live:

In the US, you must lodge the application for a Malta visa either at the Malta Embassy in Washington DC or in the Malta Consulate in New York .

Netherlands

To apply for a Netherlands visa in the US, lodge an application at one of the following VFS centers:

If applying for a Norway visa, you must lodge your application in one of the following VFS centers in the States:

You have to lodge your application for a Portugal visa in one of the following centers:

• VFS center in New York – if you live in the States of Connecticut, Michigan, and New York. Territories of American Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.
• VFS center in San Francisco – if you live in AAlaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas.
• VFS center in Washington DC , Miami , or Houston – If you live in States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, District of Columbia and Bahamas.
• Consulate General in Boston – if you live in Massachusetts (except the area covered by the consulate in New Bedford), Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont.
• Consulate General in New Bedford – if you live in the cities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, New Bedford or Fall River or the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, or Plymouth
• Consulate General in Newark – if you live in Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania
• Consulate General in Providence – if you live in Rhode Island

In the US, you have to lodge an application for a Slovakia visa through one of the BLS visa application centers in Washington D.C, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, or Boston.

When applying from the US, you have to lodge your application for a Slovenia visa through one of the VFS global centers in:

To apply for a Spain visa in the US, lodge your application at one of the following VFS Global centers:

If you are applying for a Sweden visa, you must lodge your application at one of the VFS centers in:

Switzerland

If you are applying for a Switzerland visa from the US, lodge your application at one of the following VFS centers:

Who Makes the Visa Decisions?

Although nearly all Schengen visa applications in the U.S. are outsourced to visa centers, such as VFS Global or BLS International, these centers do not make decisions on visa applications—they will only accept your application and documents and send them to the right Schengen embassy/consulate for a decision.

Complete and Download the Visa Application Form

One of the first steps when applying for a Schengen visa from the U.S. is to download and complete the visa application form . Although this form is the same for all Schengen countries (harmonized), many embassies or consulate offices prefer that applicants complete it through a specific online application or through a visa center.

Here’s where to complete or download the Schengen visa application form in the US, depending on the Schengen country:

• Iceland ( online )

Once you have completed the application form, you have to schedule an appointment with the relevant visa application center or Schengen embassy/consulate in the US.

Here’s a guide on how to schedule your Schengen visa appointment in the U.S. for each Schengen Member State:

You have to schedule your Austria visa appointment with a VFS Centre in:

• Houston , Miami , or Washington, DC – if you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Bahamas
• Los Angeles or San Francisco if you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, U.S. Pacific Islands
• Chicago or New York City if you live in Bermudas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin

Schedule an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles if you live in Northern California.

To schedule your Belgium visa appointment in the US, you have the following options:

• Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C. – if you live in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, or the Bahamas.
• Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta – if you live in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (except the counties of Campbell and Kenton), Louisiana, Mississippi, or Tennessee.
• Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles – if you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, United States Territory of Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam.
• Consulate General of Belgium in New York – if you live in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North and South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, or the counties of Campbell and Kenton (Kentucky).

To schedule your Croatia visa appointment in the US, follow these instructions:

• Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Washington DC – Email: [email protected] or Phone: +1 202-588-5899. Jurisdictions: Alabama, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, Howland, Jarvis and Baker Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa, Palmyra, Wake Island, Micronesia (Federal States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau), Panama, or Mexico.
• Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in New York – Email: [email protected] or Phone: (212) 599-3066. Jurisdictions: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
• Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles, CA – Email: [email protected] or Phone: (310) 477-1009. Jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
• Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Chicago – Email: [email protected] or Phone: (312) 482-9902. Jurisdictions: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, or Wisconsin.

See the addresses of the Croatian Embassy and Consulates in the US .

If you’re applying for a Croatian visa at the VFS Centre in New York, you have to book your appointment online via this link .

To schedule an appointment for a Cyprus visa in the US, contact the consular services department of the Cyprus embassy:

• Phone Number: (202) 462-0632
• Web: www.cyprusembassy.net

To schedule an appointment with a Czech Embassy or Consulate General in the US, you have to send an email with the Subject line “SCHENGEN VISA appointment request: [SURNAME(S) OF APPLICANT(S)]” to one of the following email addresses:

• Czech Embassy in Washington, DC : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda).
• Czech Consulate General in Los Angeles : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming).
• Czech Consulate General in New York : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont).
• Czech Consulate General to Chicago : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin).

In the US, you have to book an appointment for a Denmark visa online through VFS Global .

To submit an Estonian visa application in the US, you must schedule an appointment online through the VFS Global Center .

To submit your Finland visa application in the US, you have to schedule an appointment online through a VFS Global center .

Book your appointment for a France Visa in the US online, through the VFS website .

To access detailed instructions on booking your Germany visa appointment in the US, simply click the link below:

Scheduling Your Germany Visa Appointment in the US

Here’s how to schedule your appointment for a Greek visa in the USA:

• Book an appointment online with the Greek Consular Office in Washington DC if you live in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia or West Virginia.
• Book an appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in San Francisco if you live in Alaska, California (zip codes 93000+), Idaho, Montana, North Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
• Schedule appointment with the Greek Consulate General in Boston by calling +1 617 523 0100 or sending an email to: [email protected] if you live in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in Los Angeles if you live in Arizona, California (zip codes: 90001-93199), Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico or South Nevada.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in New York if you live in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Connecticut.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in Chicago if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, N. Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, S. Dakota, or Wisconsin.
• Book your appointment with the Greek Consulate General in Tampa by calling 0018138650200 or sending an email to [email protected] if you live in Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate in Atlanta if you live in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, or South Carolina.
• Book your appointment with the Greek Consulate in Houston by calling +1 713 840 7522-ext.1 or sending an email to [email protected] if you live in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma as well as Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.

Here’s how to schedule your appointment for a Hungary visa in the USA:

You can schedule your appointment for an Iceland visa online through the VFS Global centers in Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington.

If you are submitting your visa application in the US, you have to schedule your Italy visa appointment online.

If you will apply for a Latvia visa at one of the VFS Global centers in the US, you can schedule your appointment online .

If you will apply at the Latvian Embassy or other Schengen Consular offices, schedule your appointment as follows:

• To apply at the Embassy of Latvia in Washington, D.C schedule your appointment via email: [email protected] .
• To apply at the Consulate General of Poland in Los Angeles schedule your appointment here
• To apply at the Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago call the consulate: 312-397-0382 or visit the official website .
• To apply at the Consulate General of Poland in Houston, schedule your appointment here .

You can book your visa appointment online at one of the VFS centers in  Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, or Washington.

To schedule your appointment for a Luxembourg visa in the US, you have to contact the Embassy or one of the Consulates.

• Contact the Embassy of Luxembourg, Washington DC if you live in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
• Contact the Consulate General in San Francisco if you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
• Contact the Consulate General in New York if you live in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
• To schedule an appointment with the Malta Embassy in Washington DC , email [email protected] ​.
• To schedule an appointment with the Malta Consulate in New York , email [email protected] .

In the US, you have to book your appointment for a Netherlands visa online through a VFS Global application center. There are application centers in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

You have to book your appointment online with one of the VFS application centers in Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC.

If applying through a VFS center (in Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC), you have to book your appointment online . Check your Consular Jurisdiction as stated on the VFS website before scheduling an appointment.

If applying through one of the Portuguese General Consulates, you have to contact the relevant consulate:

• Consulate General in New Bedford – if you live in the cities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, New Bedford or Fall River or the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, or Plymouth.
• Consulate General in Newark – if you live in Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
• Consulate General in Providence – if you live in Rhode Island.

Book your appointment for a Slovakia visa in the US online through the BLS website .

You must book your appointment for a Slovenia visa online at one of the VFS centers in US cities (Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC).

To schedule your Spain visa appointment in the US, you can book your appointment at the BLS centers located in various cities:

You should book your appointment for a Sweden visa in one of the VFS centers in Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC. You must book the appointment online .

Schedule your appointment for a Swiss visa Consulate General of The Republic of Lithuania in Chicago if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. For residents of these states there is a representation agreement allowing them to apply through the Lithuanian consulate.

If you live elsewhere in the US, you have to schedule your appointment with one of the Swiss representation offices in the US through this website after you complete your visa application form.

To apply for a Schengen visa in the US, you need a standard set of documents as outlined here . As a US resident, you also need to submit the following:

• Proof of legal residence in the USA and re-entry document. Original of your valid US Alien Registration Card (Green Card) or a valid US Resident Visa (e.g., type H-1B). The US residence permit or visa should be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen Area.
• If you are employed in the US: Submit a declaration from your employer stating the period of your intended absence.
• If you are self-employed in the US: Submit a tax return document from the previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and income during that period.
• If you are a student in the US: You may have to submit an I-20 form, along with a letter from your US educational institution.
• If you are retired: Submit a copy of your pension certificate, a letter from a previous employer, a pension check stub, or confirmation from the responsible authority about your pension amount.
• Travel insurance from a US or Schengen-based company .  The insurance should have a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and include repatriation in the event of death.
• Legalization of documents from countries other than the US. If you are submitting documents to prove family relationships from countries other than the US, you must have the documents legalized by the embassy or consulate of the country to which you are traveling.

The Schengen embassies and consulates in the US may ask for specific documentation as per the regulations of their institution.

Please make sure that you have all the documents as required on the checklist—a document checklist is usually provided along with the application form at visa application centers or is posted on the embassy/consulate website. 

How Much Money Do I Need to Apply for a Schengen Visa in the US?

To apply for a Schengen Visa from the US, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support your visit to the Schengen area. The required minimum bank balance varies depending on the specific Schengen country you’re applying to, ranging from €14 to €100 per day.

On the day of your appointment, you must show up on time, have your passport, application form, and all the required documents with you, and have enough money to pay the visa fee if you haven’t already paid it online while scheduling the appointment.

Paying the Application Fee

Schengen visa fee for the us residents.

The standard fee for a Schengen visa is EUR 90 (appx. 100 USD). If you apply through a visa application center, an additional service fee may apply. Payment methods include cash, credit/debit cards, or payment slips (depending on the visa center or embassy). Confirm the payment options before your appointment.

Biometric Data

On your appointment, you will need to submit a biometric visa photo as well as scans of your fingerprints. Your biometric information is taken for security and identification reasons and is stored in the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS).

If you have applied for a Schengen visa in the last five years, your information is still stored in VIS, and you may be exempted from submitting fingerprint scans again.

Visa Interview

Sometimes, when you apply for a Schengen visa in the United States, the consular officers at the embassy or consulate will ask you questions about your planned trip to Europe (why you’re going, what you plan to do when you will return) and personal questions (about your life in the US, your job or studies, your family, etc.).

Make sure you answer all the questions truthfully and without hesitation.

Can Someone Else Apply For a Schengen Visa on My Behalf?

Yes, someone else can apply for a Schengen visa on your behalf, but only if you’ve granted them authorization to do so and you’re not required to submit your biometric data.

In the US, a Schengen visa application usually takes 15 days to process. However, this timeframe could be extended up to 45 days if the consulate requires additional documents, if there’s a high volume of applications, especially before holidays, or if other reasons delay the process.

This is why it is important to apply well ahead of time!

Tracking Your Application

Since most Schengen visas in the US are submitted through a visa application center (VAC), you can typically track the status of your application through the VAC’s website.

To see your application status, you just need to enter your visa reference number (usually found on the application fee slip) and your last name.

If you applied through a Schengen embassy or consulate, it may not be possible to track your application.

Receiving a Visa Decision

If your visa is granted , the Schengen visa will be affixed to your passport, and you will be able to travel to the Schengen Area within the dates specified on the visa sticker.

If your visa is rejected , the reason for the rejection will be stated in the decision letter. You can either re-apply for the visa or try to appeal the decision. Whether you can appeal a decision (and how) will also be stated on the visa decision letter.

After your Schengen visa application in the US has been processed, you must collect your passport from the embassy, consulate, or visa application center. You can collect your passport in person at the designated pick-up counters, or it may be mailed to you through a courier service (if this is an option).

In the latter case, you will have to pay for the service at the time of visa application.

Entering the Schengen Area from the US as a Non-US Citizen

After your visa is granted, you can enter the Schengen Area within the dates specified on your passport. As a non-US citizen entering the Schengen Zone, you must have the following documents with you.

• Your valid passport (with at least 3 months validity beyond your intended stay)
• Schengen visa, affixed to your passport
• Travel itinerary (including flight reservations and other planned activities)
• Proof of travel health insurance (with coverage of at least €30,000 across the Schengen Area)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Schengen Area (e.g., bank statements, credit cards, sponsor letter, etc)
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservations, rental agreements, or letter of invitation)
• Any other relevant documents, such as an invitation letter from a friend, family member, or organization, acceptance letter in a short-term study course, proof of the business you plan to conduct in the Schengen Area, proof you will attend a cultural event, etc.

I'm a U.S. green card holder, not a U.S. citizen. Do I need a Schengen visa for short-term travel to Europe?

If you’re a US green card holder planning a short trip to Europe, you might require a Schengen visa depending on your nationality. Use the visa checker tool to determine whether you need a Schengen visa to travel from the US to the EU.

As a US tourist, am I eligible to apply for a Schengen Visa from the US?

If you’re visiting the U.S. as a tourist and don’t hold a U.S. residence permit, you’re unable to apply for a Schengen visa from within the U.S. You must apply from your home country instead.

Do I require a transit or Schengen visa for my journey from the USA to Pakistan, with connecting flights in Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport? I hold Pakistani citizenship and possess a valid US visa.

If you hold a Pakistani passport and you’re traveling through two airports within the Schengen Area, according to Schengen visa code, you need a valid short-stay visa, not just an airport transit visa.

Can an Indian passport holder apply for a Schengen visa from the US?

Yes, Indian citizens and passport holders who are legally registered residents of the United States are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa while residing in the US.

Non-residents, such as Indian travelers and tourists who plan on staying in the US for three months or less, should be discouraged from applying for a Schengen visa from within the US. Instead, they should apply for a Schengen visa in India.

Other Information:

Data Protection

Your personal data submitted during the Schengen visa application process in the US is safeguarded and managed in compliance with Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 , also known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) .

If you have any concerns about the security of your data, you can contact the Data Protection Commissioner of the Schengen country where you’re applying for a visa.

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U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany - FRN

As of May 2024, the U.S Embassies Zagreb, Croatia; Bratislava, Slovakia; Ljubljana Slovenia; Nicosia, Cyprus; and the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, the Netherlands will cease routine immigrant visa (IV) services. The U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt has been designated to conduct IV services for these posts in the following categories: immediate relative, family preference, employment based, fiancée/fiancé (K), follow-to-join asylees/refugees (V92/V93), and diversity visas (DV). For more information, visit the following website .

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.

Step 1: Register for visa delivery

Registering provides us with the information we need to return your visa packet to you after your interview. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

Register >>

Step 2: Documents required

You must provide certain documents to the consulate on your interview day even if you previously submitted them to USCIS or NVC. We have created 3 checklists for IV, DV and K visa applicants that will tell you what to bring.

Document Checklist >>

Step 3: Get a medical exam

As soon as you receive your interview appointment date, you should schedule your medical examination appointment. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for more information about the examination and a list of designated doctors’ offices.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Consulate can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule and attend a medical exam with one of our approved panel physcians.  Please schedule your medical appointment at your earliest convenience. It is not necessary to have your medical examination completed prior to your interview but be sure to schedule the appointment at your earliest convenience. 

Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted. Making duplicate appointments with one or more of our designated physicians may result in all appointments being cancelled and in your visa process being delayed. ATTENTION : The medical exam report is valid for six (6) months only. Your visa's validity will be limited to the expiration date of your medical exam.

Applicants for SIV visa should NOT schedule an appointment before the interview date as many special immigrant visa cases require additional administrative processing after the interview.

ATTENTION:  IV Consolidation applicants (from Croatia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Netherlands) should ideally complete their medical exam in their home country if a panel physician is present there. Additional medical exam info for IV Consolidation applicants , as well as a list of designated doctors’ offices, can be found  here .

Approved Physicians in Germany:

BERLIN Dr. Ilka Knur Dr. Heiko Zürcher Dr. Ingo Prack Mrs. Rania Fahim-Jebrini im Ärztehaus am Europa-Center Nürnberger Straße 67 10787 Berlin Tel: 030-212 80480 Email: [email protected] Website:  www.praevenio-berlin.de

FRANKFURT Dr. Johannes Abel Dr. Harald Schulte Dr. Kerstin Jahn Dr, Bernd Scheffler Ulmenstraße 43 60325 Frankfurt am Main Please book your appointment by using  Doctolib  and fill out all required forms in advance:  https://www.internisten-im-westend.de/medical-visa/ Tel:  069/722222 Email: [email protected] Website: internisten-im-westend.de

MUNICH Dr. Karin Redlich Hansastrasse 136 81373 München Phone: +49-89-760 14 00 Website:  https://praxis-dr-redlich.de/

HAMBURG Internisten am Kolsterstern Dr. med. Felix Thuneke Dr. med. Simone Henne Oderfelder Strasse 6 20149 Hamburg Tel: +49-40-476086 Fax: +49-40-4605092 Email:  [email protected] Web:  www.internisten-am-klosterstern.de

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

• Your visa interview letter,
• Your passport or a copy of your passport’s biographic page,
• Four (4) recently taken passport-sized color photographs,
• A copy of your immunization records,
• Your medical history (disabilities, serious illnesses),
• If you are pregnant, a doctor's statement (Mutterpass) noting the anticipated delivery date, and
• DS-260 confirmation page from CEAC .

Any medical exam fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, chest X-ray and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older, and Gonorrhea testing.  Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website .

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant vaccination requirements are available on the CDC website . You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements at Travel.state.gov .

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will send the results to the consulate. Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis. However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six (6) months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Document Checklist

The document checklist for fiancée/fiancé (K) can be found here ; for diversity visas (DV) please see below at the bottom of this page. 

Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. 

Please refer to the Document Finder to learn about the civil document requirements for each country. Our office accepts documents in English or German . All documents not in English or German must be accompanied by an English translation. Translations must be certified by a competent and registered translator. Do not separate original and the copy. 

On your appointment day, submit the following documents:

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
• DS-260 confirmation: Form DS-260 completion confirmation page (Online Application for an Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration) that you submitted at CEAC .
• Passport: Your unexpired passport must be valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States.
• Proof of prior U.S. visas: If you have been issued any type of non-immigrant visa to the United States (for example, tourist, student, or work visas) bring your passport containing the visa to your interview.
• Birth Certificate: You and each family member immigrating with you must obtain an original birth certificate or certified copy. The date and place of birth and parent(s) name(s) must be shown on the birth certificate. If you or any of your children were adopted, you must also submit a certified copy of the final adoption decree.
• Marital Status Documents (not required if never married): Marriage certificate if you are married. Legal termination of any prior marriages of the petitioner and the beneficiaries, e.g. divorce decree or death certificate of ex-spouse. 
• Police certificates: If you are 16 years of age or older, you must obtain police certificates from all countries you have lived in using below criteria:

Note: Present and former residents of the United States do NOT need to submit any U.S. police certificates.

Important: Police certificates expire after two years, unless the certificate was issued from your country of previous residence, and you have not returned there since the police certificate was issued.

All police certificates with an entry must be accompanied by a certified English translation .

• Court and Prison Records : If you were convicted of a crime, you must obtain a certified copy of each court and prison record, even if you were later granted amnesty, a pardon, or other act of clemency. English translations must be provided for all court and prison records.
• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s (and if applicable) joint sponsor’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
• Biometric Photo : One color photograph for each applicant, regardless of age, is required (less than 6 months old, without glasses). Please write the applicant’s name on the back of the photograph. Further guidance is available on our website .
• For employment-based visa applications : Original letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.
• If you are applying for an IR5 visa as the parent of a U.S. citizen or for an F4 visa as the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: You must obtain an original birth certificate for your petitioner, or a certified copy.
• If you are applying for an IR1 , CR1 , or F2A visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident and your petitioning spouse was previously married: You must obtain evidence of the termination of EVERY prior marriage your petitioning spouse has had. This evidence must be an original or certified copy of one of the following documents: FINAL legal divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers.

Interview Guidelines

What to bring to your interview

On your appointment day, please bring the following items to your interview:

• Your visa delivery registration ( see Step 1 )
• All required documents pertaining to your case ( see Step 2 )

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please email us at visa navigator . There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa number has been assigned for the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule your interview.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Consulate must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Consulate security personnel will be unable to enter the consulate. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. You should arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Please view our website for details.

Accompanying persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• U.S. citizen petitioners
• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or German well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to the National Visa Center, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview (except for K visas and SQ visas). All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or Euro. We accept the following forms of payment:

• Cash: Either U.S. dollars or Euro.
• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. No EC Cards are accepted.
• International Money Orders: American Express or U.S. Postal Service money orders made payable to “U.S. Department of State”
• Cashier’s check issued by an American bank in dollars; OR
• Banks check issued by a German bank in dollars. Effective September 1, 2016, we no longer accept debit/cashier checks from DZ Bank or its affiliates.
• All checks must be made payable to the appropriate American Consulate General or to the U.S. Embassy Berlin.
• All checks must be machine-readable (i.e., have a coded line running along the bottom of the check).
• Checks may be no wider than 10cm due to our machine-reader limitations.

NO personal checks will be accepted. Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded . A complete list of fees can be found at Travel.state.gov .

Do not make travel plans outside of Germany

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the consulate while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. Your visa packet will be mailed via the delivery method selected at Step 1.

After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa. 

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the consulate.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. The timing for the administrative processing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview. 

What happens after visa approval?

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. 

• If your case was processed as an electronic case and your visa contains the following annotation “IV DOCS IN CCD”, you will NOT receive a sealed envelope.
• All other visa applicants will receive a sealed envelope containing documents that they must give to U.S. immigration authorities when they arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage.

If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities. For all other applicants, the medical documents are submitted electronically on their behalf.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued Immigrant Visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are:  children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a fiancé(e) (K) and SQ visas. 

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. 

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States Once you become a lawful permanent resident you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a lawful permanent resident.

Children’s Issues – In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “ Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

Diversity Visa Applicants - Special Instructions

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions ( Step1 -Step 4 ) apply to you. Please schedule a medical examination prior to your visa interview and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants. 

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Document Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information  printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website .
• Proof of qualifying education or work experience: Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online ).
• Evidence of Financial Support:  Assets, savings, job offer in the U.S. or U.S. citizen sponsor).
• Diversity Visa application fee: $330 Diversity per applicant. Please see above for acceptable payment options at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status and your country of birth. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online .

Print    (Translation included)

Last Updated: 9/16/2024

Contact Information

Immigrant Visa Unit Gießener Str. 30, 60435 Frankfurt am Main

Other Links

Diversity Visa Instructions After Your Interview Frequently Asked Questions Where to Find Civil Documents

Interview Preparation Video

External Link

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Scheduling an appointment.

Every German Mission in the U.S. requires that you schedule an appointment via the O nline Appointment System for the application of a visa, a passport or identification card . If you would like to apply for both a passport and an identification card, you need to book two appointments, one for each document.

Please note that you always have to schedule an appointment beforehand via phone or email for full notarizations (“Beurkundungen”).

Please inquire about the right appointment procedure and whether you need an appointment for other consular services at the appropriate German mission that serves your U.S. home state:

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