Application Procedures

Do not wait until the last minute! Inform yourself well in advance of your travel dates about possible visa requirements. First, see if you qualify for visa free travel through the Visa Waiver Program.

Note: You are advised to not finalize any travel plans or reservations (e.g. purchasing plane tickets, booking hotel, etc.) until your passport has been returned to you with a valid non-immigrant visa.

Everyone applying for a visa, including applicants renewing visas, is required to schedule an appointment for a visa interview and appear in person except for the following:

• Children under 14 years of age;
• Persons over 79 years of age;
• Diplomats on official business.

Making an Appointment for a Visa Interview
You can schedule an appointment for a visa interview online or call:
• Live Service: 0900 1-850055 (EUR 1.86/Min from a German landline - additional charges may apply from mobile phones). 7am to 8pm, Monday - Friday.
• Credit Card Service for applicants from outside of Germany and callers who cannot access 0900 numbers: +49 (0)9131-772-2270. EUR 15 per call, MasterCard and Visa accepted. 7am to 8pm, Monday - Friday.

You should have your passport in front of you when you call. The customer service representative will ask you for information from your passport.

Note: If you currently live abroad and wish to make an appointment for an interview, you should have a friend or relative in Germany make the appointment for you.

The application process for student visas, for example, may require several weeks to process. We recommend that you schedule your interview appointment at least 6 weeks before your intended trip.

Where should I apply for my visa?
Applicants are advised that they will have the best chance of qualifying for a visa if they apply in the country where they normally reside, since documenting sufficiently strong family, social, and economic ties to their country of residence might prove to be extremely difficult while abroad.
Applicants who reside in Germany have to apply at the Consular Section in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich.


All applicants must submit the following documents:

• a DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) for each applicant, regardless of age, completed online at http://evisaforms.state.gov, and signed by the applicant

• male applicants between the ages of 16-45 must fully complete supplemental form DS-157 (English | German)(pdf)

• a passport or child identification card (for German and most European citizens valid for at least the duration of your intended stay in the United States). If more than one person is shown on the passport, a separate visa application is needed for each person who is traveling to the United States;

• a recent passport photograph for each applicant, also for children
(see photo requirements);

• visa payment confirmation: evidence of having paid the non-refundable
visa processing fee for each application.
Attention: If your application interview is scheduled to take place in less than 4 working days or, you have an urgent case, please follow the instructions for payment at the Dresdner Bank

• a stamped (EUR 1.45), self-addressed envelope large enough for the return of your passport and documents. Please do not use registered mail

• K-3 visa applicants are asked to send along with their application a self addressed DIN A4 envelope stamped with EUR 3,50 in postage.

• proof of your ties to Germany and of your intention to leave the U.S. after your temporary stay

• certain visas require extra documentation: i.e. form DS-2019, I-20 or I-797. These documents are not available from the consular offices, only from the exchange organization, school or employer.


Security Notice for Visa Applicants
In order to ensure everyone's safety and to ensure that security screening does not delay entrance in to the Consulate and planned interviews, no electronic devices, including cell telephones, may be brought into the Embassy or Consulate. Large backpacks, suitcases and glass containers are also not permitted. Security personnel will not store items for applicants and will confiscate all weapons. We therefore suggest that all such items be left at home, in a locked car, or with a friend or relative who remains outside the premises.

Documents relevant to the visa and/or passport application are the only items that we encourage applicants to bring with them.

Your cooperation will help to ensure everyone's safety and will help us to ensure that we are able to interview you as quickly as possible.

Last updated: January 12, 2009