Germany attracts people from throughout the world with its various attractions! Looking to explore, visit family, or do business in Germany?
If so, know the visa you need as a travel document and what each visa requires. To make your trip effective, you must also know how to apply for a Germany Schengen visa.
This article explains how to get an Germany visa for green card holders who lives in the US. It includes information on the requirements, process, appointment, fees, flight schedule, and more.
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Do US citizens need a Germany Schengen visa?
No. US citizens need not apply for Germany Schengen visas, but those staying for 90 days must. US citizens can visit Germany for 90 days no longer than 180 days. Germany is open for tourism, commerce, sports, cultural events, medical emergency, and short-term studies.
If you want to stay in Germany for a long time, like to study or work, you need a National (D) Visa.
Do green card holders need a Germany Schengen visa?
Yes. If you are from a third country but have a green card from the US, you will need a German Schengen visa to enter the country. There is a rule in the Schengen Area Free Movement Agreement that says the country that issues your passport is more important than where you live.
This is for people who have a Green Card, an F1 (I-20), an H1B, a G1, a J1, or something else.
Can green card holder able to get Germany Schengen visa from US?
Yes. German Schengen visas must be obtained at the BLS Visa Application Centre, an official German visa processing Centre authorized by the German Embassy in the US. German visas can be applied for abroad.
When Should I Apply for Germany Schengen visa from US?
US citizens asking for Germany Schengen visas should apply well in advance of their travel dates. Apply at least 15 days before trip. You must check with the German consulate or embassy for exact criteria and processing times, as they may vary.
Applying early allows you to meet any additional documentation needs and buffers processing delays. It’s best to check the German consulate or embassy in the US’s website for visa application updates.
About ETIAS Germany for U.S. Citizens
Electronic travel authorization for Germany and Schengen is ETIAS. A non-visa. Very similar to the US ESTA programme.
After 2024, U.S. citizens will need an ETIAS to enter Germany and other Schengen countries. Online registration is required for ETIAS.
How to Apply for Germany Schengen visa from US
If you have a green card from the US and want to travel to Germany, do these things:
- You need to select the Correct German Visa Type
- You need to gather all German visa required documents
- Need to find out where to Apply
- Fill out the German visa Application Form
- Schedule your appointment for German Visa
- Pay the Visa Fee
- Submit Your Visa Application
German Schengen Visa Requirements for U.S green card holders
1. German Schengen Visa Application Form
2. A Valid Passport
3. German Schengen Visa Photo Specification
4. Proof of Residence
6. Travel insurance for Germany Schengen visa
You need travel insurance to get a German Schengen visa. If you’re visiting Germany without a visa, you don’t need travel insurance, but we recommend it for your protection.
The insurance firm should issue a certificate with your name, coverage dates, amount, and minimum €30.000 or $50.000 coverage.
Cover letters, also known as visa letters, are one of the most important documents for German Schengen visa applications.
10. Proof of Subsistence
11. Proof of Income
For employee
- Letter from your Employer indicating your position in company, length of employed
- salary or the last 3 month bank statement.
- Leave Approval letter for Germany Schengen visa from your current employer.
- ITR (Income Tax Return) Certificate
Self-employed
- Last year ITR proof (Income Tax Return)
- Business license.
- Last 6 month Bank Statement.
Retired:
- Proof of pension benefits or other regular and sufficient income.
- Or Latest 6 month bank statement.
For Students
- Proof of your student status.
- Registration letter from school, college or university.
- Valid I-20 form
Financial dependent
- Last joint Income Tax Return or joint bank statements
- Sponsorship Letter
If you are a minor:
- Provide your birth certificate and a written consent form from your parent or guardian.
- Obtain notarized written permission from your parents or guardians for international travel.
- Ensure that either one parent accompanies you to sign the Spain Schengen visa application form, or the other parent writes permission for the application to be submitted on their behalf.
What are the Types of Germany Schengen visa for US green card holders can apply?
- Germany Transit Visa
- Germany Tourist Visa
- Germany Visitor visa
- Germany Business visa
- Germany Diplomat visa
- Germany Student Visa
- Germany visa for Sports, Film Crew
- Germany Spouse Visa
Who can apply for Germany Schengen visa in United States?
- Citizens of other nations staying in the US for at least three months and wishing to visit Germany must apply for a Schengen Visa.
- If planning to travel for multiple Schengen countries, and want to spend more time in Germany, then you have to apply for Germany Schengen visa
- Or If planning to travel for multiple Schengen countries by spending equal days in all, then you have apply for Germany visa only when your entry country is Germany.
Where to Apply for Germany Schengen visa from US for Green Card Holders?
The German embassy in the US uses BLS Visa Application Centre to process German visa applications. Submit your visa application in person at this BLS visa application center to be accepted and processed. The application process requires ten fingerprints and a photo. The Visa Information System (VIS) at the BLS Visa Application Centre stores your data for five years and can be used for any Schengen visa application.
If you want to go to Germany as your main goal, you need to apply at one of the BLS Visa Application Centers in Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco.
Here is the details:
| Consular Assignment | Territorial Authority | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| BLS Application Center in Washington, D.C. | Residents of: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. | Apply online here |
| German Consulate General in Atlanta | Residents of: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in Boston | Residents of: Connecticut (apart from Fairfield County), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in Chicago | Residents of: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in Houston | Residents of: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in Los Angeles | Residents of: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura of the state of California as well as the states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah. | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in Miami | Residents of: Florida, Puerto Rico, American Virgin Islands. | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in New York | Residents of: New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as Fairfield County of the state of Connecticut and Bermuda (British overseas territory). | Apply online here |
| BLS Application Center in San Francisco | Residents of: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba of the state of California as well as the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and the American overseas territories American Samoa, Baker-, Howland-, Jarvis-, Johnston-, Midway- and Palmyra-Island. | Apply online here |
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Washington, D.C.?
To apply for a Germany visa in Washington, D.C., you must set up an appointment online with VFS Global.
Address: 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20001.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Atlanta?
To apply for a Germany visa in Atlanta, you must set up an appointment online.
Address: 285 Peachtree Center Ave NE #901, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Boston?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in Boston to VFS Global.
Address: Suite 1700, 160 Federal St, Boston, MA 02110.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Chicago?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in Chicago to VFS Global.
Address: 55 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60605.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Houston?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in Houston to VFS Global.
Address: 2500 W Loop South, Suite 270, Houston TX 77027.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Los Angeles?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in Los Angeles to VFS Global.
Address: 6380 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 825. Los Angeles CA 90048.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Miami?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in Miami to VFS Global.
Address: 250 Catalonia Ave STE 706, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in New York?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in New York to VFS Global.
Address: 55 W 39th St Suite 800, New York, NY 10018.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa in San Francisco?
Germany has outsourced its visa application processing in San Francisco to VFS Global.
Address: 717 Market St, Suite 475, San Francisco CA 94103.
What is the processing time for Germany Schengen Visa?
US visa processing can take up to 15 business days after you submit your German visa application. When many people apply for German visas at once, processing can take 30–45 days longer.
What to Do If my German Schengen Visa Is Denied?
If the visa refusal is valid (and it may be your fault), you have 30 days from the decision date to file a re-appeal and hope for the best.
If you think the visa rejection is wrong, you can appeal it in a letter.
If your family reunification or family member visa is denied, you can appeal to the competent ordinary court at any time.
What is the fees for applying for a Germany visa in the United States?
| Classification | Germany Visa Fee (EUR) | Germany Visa Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Germany Schengen visa application fee | 80 | 95.45 |
| Germany Schengen visa fee for children aged between 6-11 years | 40 | 47.72 |
| Fee for children under 6 years | No fee | No fee |
| US residents holding a passport of Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Kosovo | 35 | 38.52 |
| Researchers travelling for the purpose of conducting scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference. | No fee | No fee |
| US residents holding a passport of the Gambia | 120 | 132.07 |