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

Germany is one of those Schengen countries full of wonders. Adventurers can head to the Black Forest or the Lake District to explore while food lovers can indulge to their heart’s content in Bavaria and Munich. From full-on beer and wine festivals and cultural cities to historical sites and spectacular countryside, there really is something for everyone. In this article learn more about how to apply for Germany Visa at the German consulate in Boston, German visa appointment booking, Processing time at the German visa application center and Germany Visa Application Process at the Boston consulate.

Schengen Visa

With 2,049,055 application received, Germany issued the 2^nd highest number of Schengen visas, after France. Of these, 156,393 were refused. The German consulate in Boston received 1,595 applications making them 4^th highest of all the consulates in the US. Of these, 6 were not issued.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

If you are a non-US citizen living in the United States, you have to apply for a Schengen visa to be able to enter Germany. If you have a B1 or B2 visa, you cannot apply for a Schengen visa. If this is the case, you are only allowed to apply for an Airport Transit visa which you must do in the country where you were born.

The German Consulate in Boston only deals with applications from applicants residing in certain areas. So you have to make sure you apply at the right German embassy and consulate.  Boston’s jurisdiction covers the following states:

– Connecticut (except Fairfield County), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the German Consulate General in Boston

If you’re considering a trip to Germany, you must apply for a Schengen visa if you’re traveling for any of the following reasons:

a) Tourist

b) Business

c) Visiting family/friends

Schengen visas are valid for a total of 90 days.

If you are planning to go for longer for longer than 90 days, you’ll need a residence visa. Reasons for this type of visa include:

– Employment

– Family Reunion

– Student

If you are only transiting through the international zone of a Schengen area airport, you’ll need to apply for an Airport Transit visa.

All of these visas are available at the German Consulate in Boston and can be:

1) Single entry – Maximum of 1 entry during 90 day period

2) Double entry – Maximum of 2 entries during the 90 day period

3) Multiple entry – Unlimited entries during the 90 day period

Schengen Visa Application Process at the German Consulate in Boston

Once you know which visa you need to apply for, go to the German consulate’s website and just read the requirements. Don’t do anything yet, just have it in your mind what you need to do before you begin.

There are a series of simple steps that you need to follow when applying for your German visa and it’s a good idea to go through each step methodically so you don’t miss anything. The first step is to complete your visa application form.

Step 1: Completing your visa application form

It’s important to remember to apply in plenty of time for your application to be processed. Processing times are between 24-48 hours, but it may be longer, up to 14 days. However, you can apply up to 12 weeks in advance. Completing your visa application form is very simple. It’s all done online on the consulate’s website. Go down the page and choose the type of visa you need.

Click on this and, on the next page, scroll down until you see Schengen visa application form (with instructions):

Click this link and you will be able to access the VIDEX software, so you can complete your application.

It would be beneficial for you to complete the application in one sitting because if you leave it for more than 10 minutes, your data will be lost. Make sure you have your documents to hand, so you can refer to them easily. Throughout the application, there is online help to guide you if you need it.

Once you get to the end, don’t forget to print off the application and the Section 55 (2) (1) of the Residence Act forms, which you’ll need to sign, and the VIDEX barcodes.

Step 2: Making an Appointment

The next step is to make an appointment. You can do this easily by clicking on “Scheduling an appointment” on the consulate’s website.

Scroll down and find the appointment booking system for the German consulate in Boston:

Choose the visa you require:

Click on continue and the next page gives a list of requirements:

If you can satisfy these requirements, continue to the next page where you’ll be asked to type a CAPTCHA code before choosing the day and time of your appointment:

Please ensure that you choose the correct visa otherwise your appointment will be cancelled. You should book 1 appointment per person. Additional applicants need an appointment each. To reduce waiting times for other customers, you should only book 1 appointment. In addition, you can only apply at this consulate if your main destination is Germany. If it isn’t, you must apply at the correct country’s consulate.

If you have applied for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you can send your application to the consulate by mail. If you do this, you must also send your passport, the correct fee, postal slips plus an additional $25 fee, self-addressed envelope, and a document checklist. All signatures must be verified. Applications sent by mail can take up to 5 weeks to be processed.

You will receive a confirmation email stating the day and time of your appointment. Please ensure it says “visa department” and NOT “passport department.”

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: Getting your paperwork ready

This is a very important step and it’s vital that you gather all the necessary paperwork. If you don’t either your appointment will be cancelled, your visa rejected, or both. Original documents, as well as photocopies, are required.

The list of documents presented here may not be all that is needed. You should check the requirements for your German visa application on the consulate’s website.

1) Completed and signed Schengen application form

2) The accuracy of information form

3) 1 x recent passport-sized photo

4) A valid passport and a copy of data page

There are regulations about your passport that you must adhere to. They are:

– It should extend 3 months past your trip

– Must have been issued (not extended) in the last 10 years

– Must have at least 2 free pages

5) Proof of residence and 1 copy

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) and 1 copy

7) Recent confirmation of employment/student status/unemployment/retired and 1 copy

8) Confirmed round-trip ticket/travel reservations and full itinerary and 1 copy

9) Proof of hotel booking and 1 copy

10) Proof of financial means – last 3 bank statements

11) Travel Health Insurance with a cover of €30,000 to cover medical emergencies and repatriation and issued in the US or Germany

12) Other documents that may be required:

– Residence permit application

– Blue card form

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

– Invitation letter from German business partner/host

– Detail cruise itinerary and address the first port of entry

– Host’s passport/residence permit/formal sponsorship letter

– EU national passport/proof of relationship

– German address details

– Marriage/civil union certificate

– University degree

– Scholarship details

– Lease agreement

– Motivation letter

– Spouse/family member’s passport/bank statements/working certificate

– Parental consent

– Financial responsibility agreement

– Parent’s passports

– Birth certificate

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: Attending your Schengen visa interview

When the day of your appointment arrives, try not to be late as this won’t win you any favors with the person who is interviewing you. You want the appointment to go as smoothly as possible and for you to come across as someone who is serious about wanting a German visa.

Help yourself by arriving early, having all your paperwork ready to be reviewed, and dressing appropriately. This all helps in your quest to have your application accepted.

As well as the list of required documents, you also need to present:

1. Signed section 55 (2) (1) of the Residency Act form
2. VIDEX barcodes
3. Data protection form

If this is your first time applying for a Schengen visa, you’ll also be requested to provide biometric data which includes a photograph and your fingerprints taken. At the interview, 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.

During your interview, you may be asked questions regarding your application. Typical common interview questions could be:

1. Is this your first trip to a Schengen country?
2. Are you married?
3. How do we know you will return before the end of the validity of the visa?
4. Are you planning on working in Germany?
5. What do you know about Germany?

The reason for these questions is to confirm what you have stated on your application form, to make sure the information you give is consistent and that you have honest reasons as to why you wish to go to Germany. Answer them truthfully and don’t give more information than you need to – a simple yes or no to some questions will be enough.

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

Step 5: Receiving your visa

The consulate will tell you when your passport is ready and you can collect it or have it mailed to you.

Applying for a German Schengen visa may seem like a lot of work, but if you follow these instructions there should be no issues, however, your application may still be rejected for a number of reasons:

1. No 2 free passport pages
2. Not enough funds
3. An insufficient explanation for the intention of the trip
4. Passport pages missing
5. Applying at the wrong embassy
6. Incomplete reference letter

The way to prevent your application being rejected is to make sure you have applied at the correct embassy, all your paperwork is valid, and you have offered all correctly completed documentation at your interview.

Contact detail for the German Consulate in Boston

Address: Three Copley Place, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02116

The consulate is located inside Copley Place shopping mall. Take the central elevator to the skylobby and go through the glass doors to the registration desk. Go to the first office tower on the right-hand side, take the elevator up to the 5^th floor, and turn left. Please note, you will require photo ID to access the office tower.

Email: info@boston.diplo.de

Phone: 617-369-4900

Fax: 617-369-4940

Visa questions cannot be answered by phone. Email or use the consulate’s contact form

Telephone Hours:

Monday to Thursday, 8.00 am – 4.00 pm

Fridays, 8.00 am – 1.00 pm

Appointment Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am- 12.00 pm

Conclusion

All you need to do when applying for your German Schengen visa is:

1. Complete your online application
2. Book your appointment which is free of charge
3. Prepare your documents
4. Arrive on time to your interview, taking all your paperwork with you, and answer any questions asked
5. Collect your passport and visa or have it mailed to you

5 easy steps for you to follow and hopefully receive your German Schengen visa before you take the next step and have a fabulous time in 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 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 NYC, New York
How To Apply for Germany Schengen Visa at German Consulate in San Francisco, California