German Consulate Atlanta – 5 Easy Steps to Apply for Germany Schengen Visa

Land of forests, lakes, state of the art cities, and historic towns, Germany is a Schengen country like no other. Visitors come every year to enjoy the magnitude of things to do and see and, in the process, they find their own piece of German heaven. Whether that’s hiking, socializing with new friends, shopping, eating or exploring, you can be sure that you’ll have an exciting, not to mention, memorable time. In this article learn more about how to apply for Germany Visa at the German consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, Germany visa appointment booking, Processing time at the German visa application center and German Visa Application Process at the Atlanta consulate.

Schengen Visa

Throughout 2017, there were 2,049,055 German visa applications received at consulates across the globe with a 7.63% rejection rate. The German consulate in Atlanta issued 1,149 German visas out of the 1,165 applications received.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

You must apply for a German Schengen visa if you are not a citizen of the United States, but you are living there on a permanent basis. However, if you have a B1 or B2 visa, you cannot apply for any type of visa other than an Airport Transit visa and you must do this in the country where you were born.

First of all, you have to make sure you apply at the right German embassy and consulate. If you live in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee you can make your visa application at the German Consulate in Atlanta.

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the German Consulate General in Atlanta, Georgia

If you’re planning on staying in Germany for up to 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa. For longer stays, over 90 days, you’ll need a Residence visa.

Schengen visas available will depend on why you wish to travel to Germany:

1. Tourist
2. Business
3. Visiting family/friends
4. Airport transit

The same for Residence visas:

1. Employment
2. Family Reunion
3. Student

It is your responsibility to apply for the right one. If you don’t this could mean that your application will be refused and you’ll need to start the process again. Please check the consulate’s website before you start.

All of these types of visa are offered as: 

1. Single entry – 1 entry during 90 days
2. Double entry – 2 entries during the 90 days
3. Multiple entry – No limit to entries during the 90 days

Schengen Visa Application Process at the German Consulate General in Atlanta, Georgia

You can apply for your Germany Schengen visa from 2 weeks up to 12 weeks prior to your trip. Visa applications will not and cannot be processed in a day, so make sure you apply well in advance. Processing times are around 2 weeks for Schengen visas, but Residence visas can take up to 10 weeks.

To apply for your visa, there are 5 easy steps to follow:

1. Step 1: Complete your visa application form
2. Step 2: Make an appointment
3. Step 3: Get your documents ready
4. Step 4: Attend your interview
5. Step 5: Receive your passport/visa

Step 1: Complete your visa application form

This step is all done online. It’s simple to do and shouldn’t take too long, but you must make sure you complete everything. First, go to the consulate’s website and choose the visa you want.

Next, you need to scroll down the page and choose the type of visa you are applying for:

On this page you’ll find answers to the following questions:

1. What do I need to fill out and bring?
2. Which documents are required?
3. Do I need an appointment to file my visa application?

Click on Schengen Visa Application Form (with instructions). This will take you to the consulate’s booking system.

The application form is completed using the German consulate’s VIDEX software. Scroll down the page and click on the link:

The VIDEX system is only designed for visa applications for up to 90 days. If you are planning a longer trip you must complete a manual application. You can find this on the consulate’s website.

Before you start completing the online application, make sure you have the following documents to hand. This way, you can refer to them easily and input the data straight into the system without losing the keyed information.

1. Travel document
2. Travel or flight schedule
3. An address in Germany
4. Hotel reservation
5. Letter of invitation (if applicable)

There are helpful on-screen explanations if you need any help completing the application. At the end, don’t forget to print off the application and Residence Act forms, for signing. You’ll also need the VIDEX barcodes.

Step 2: Make an Appointment

The next step is to make an appointment in order to submit your application to the German consulate in Atlanta. Go to their website, and scroll down to “Schedule Visa Appointment”:

Scroll down and click on the consulate you are applying at – in this case, Atlanta:

Once you get into the system, please take time to read the requirements laid out. Once you’ve done this, scroll down and click on continue:

Click on continue and on the next page you’ll need to insert a CAPTCHA code:

On the final page you can choose a day and time that is convenient for you to visit the consulate in Atlanta:

If you have applied for a German Schengen visa in the last 2 years, you can contact the German consulate in Atlanta to see if you are eligible to send your application by mail.

Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Step 3: Get your paperwork ready

Getting your paperwork ready is very important. If you have an incomplete application, the consulate will send you away and this will delay your application. Originals as well as photocopies must be provided.

The list of documents includes:

1) Schengen or Residence visa application form – completed in full and signed

2) Accuracy of information form

3) 1 x recent passport-sized photo

4) Valid passport and a copy of data page – valid for 3 months past your return date to the US, issued within the last 10 years, have at least 2 free pages

5) Proof of residence

6) US alien registration card/US resident visa (type A, E, F plus endorsed I-20, G, H, I, J plus J1 document, L, O, R)

7) Evidence of employment/student status/unemployment/retirement

8) Confirmed round trip flight/travel reservations and full itinerary

9) Evidence of accommodation

10) Evidence of financial means for the intended journey – 3 x bank statements

11) Travel/health Insurance to cover a minimum of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation and issued in the US or Germany

12) Other documents that may be required:

– Residence permit application

– Blue card form

– US employer letter to include the length of employment, the purpose of business, duration of the trip, and guarantee to cover travel expenses

– Initiation letter from German business partner or host

– Cruise itinerary and confirmation of first port of entry

– Host’s passport/letter of sponsorship

– EU national passport/evidence of family ties

– Address details in Germany

– Marriage/civil union certificate/birth certificate

– University degree/scholarship evidence

– Rental agreement

– Intention letter

– Spouse’s bank statements/working certificate

– Parental consent and/or financial responsibility agreement/parent’s passport (s) (minors)

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 4: Attend your interview

When the day of your appointment arrives, get to the consulate early. Don’t be late as you may miss your appointment and have to reschedule it. Have all your paperwork with you, including what you printed off when making the appointment.

It’s also wise to dress appropriately as you will want to convey a good impression.

The interview is designed to not only review your paperwork but also for them to decide whether you have genuine reasons for wanting to go to Germany.

You may be asked additional visa interview questions like:

1. Have you traveled to Germany or Schengen area before?
2. Do you know anyone that lives there?
3. What’s your salary?
4. How will you pay for your trip?
5. Why do you want to visit only at this time?

Answer the questions honestly and give the visa official no doubt as to why you are applying.

If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you’ll also need to provide biometric data which includes a digital photograph and 10 fingerprints. If you have applied within the last 5 years, your data can be reused.

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

In addition, you’ll have to pay the relevant Schengen visa fee. Plus, an additional fee of $25 if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you.

Schengen Visa Fee

Step 5: Receive your visa

You will be notified when your passport is ready and you can make arrangements to return to the consulate to collect it or have it mailed back to you.

There are instances when visa applications get rejected for a number of reasons:

1. Damaged passport
2. Being unprepared
3. Applying for the wrong visa
4. Being overly confident at the interview
5. Incomplete documents
6. Dates not consistent

To ensure your application does not get refused, make sure your documents are in good condition and present all the necessary documents to the consulate. Prepare yourself by checking the consulate’s website for requirements and what you need to do. At the interview, don’t aggravate the official by being overconfident or arrogant– your application can be rejected if the person interviewing you takes offense to your actions.

Contact detail for the German Consulate General in Atlanta, Georgia

Address: Marquis Two Tower, Suite 901, 285 Peachtree Center Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303-1221

Email: info@atlanta.diplo.de

Phone: +1 404 659 4760

Fax: +1 404 659 1280

Telephone Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08.00 am – 15.00 pm; Fridays, 08.00 am – 14.00 pm (Only contact the consulate by phone if their website does NOT answer your question)

You can also use their contact form.

Appointment Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30 am- 12.00 pm

Conclusion

It’s a straightforward process to apply for your German Schengen visa. All you need to do is to complete your online application, get your documents ready, and go to your interview. With any luck, you’ll have a response within a couple of weeks and have your visa in your hand. Then, you can concentrate on the exciting part – get ready for your departure to Germany!

At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa and much more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.

See Also

How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in Boston, Massachusetts
How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in Chicago, Illinois
How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in Houston, Texas
How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in Los Angeles, California
How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in NYC, New York
How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in San Francisco, California