German Consulate NYC, New York – Apply for Germany Schengen Visa in 5 Easy Steps

Many people descend onto Germany’s shores every year and waiting for them is a country full of fascination with plenty to see and do. There are picturesque towns and villages with impressive cathedrals and modern cities with art galleries and great nightlife. If getting outdoors is your thing, there are forests with stunning vistas, perfect for hikers, mountains for skiing, or sandy beaches to relax on. Germany, among the other Schengen countries, has something for everyone to enjoy. In this article learn more about how to apply for Germany Visa at the German consulate in New York, German visa appointment booking, Processing time at the German visa application center and Germany Visa Application Process at the NYC consulate.

Schengen Visa

A total of 2,049,055 German Schengen Visas were applied for in 2017 and 156,393 were not issued. The German Consulate in New York received 3,832 applications and only 88 were not issued.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

You need to apply for a German Schengen visa if you are:

1. A non-US citizen and/or a permanent resident of the US.
2. You do not hold a B1/B2 visa.

Please note, if you hold a B1/B2 visa, you must apply for an Airport Transit visa only. This must be applied for in your home country.

First of all, you have to make sure you apply at the right German embassy and consulates. As long as you live in the following areas, you can apply for your visa at the German consulate in New York.

– Bermuda

– Fairfield County of Connecticut

– New Jersey

– New York

– Pennsylvania

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the German Consulate General in New York

There are 2 types of Schengen visa:

1. Schengen visa – valid for a maximum of 90 days
2. National visa – for trips over 90 days

These visas are categorized depending on why you wish to travel to Germany. It’s important to apply for the correct one as this could affect the outcome of your application.

a) Tourism – Vacation only

b) Business – Business related to your profession

c) Study – Study and/or training

d) Family purpose – Visit family

e) Official visit – Official business/large groups with same reason/dates for the trip

f) Medical – Receive medical treatment

g) Airport Transit Visa (ATV) – Change planes on German territory

Each of these visas 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 General in New York.

When you’re ready to begin the application for your German visa, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what you need to do first. The process on the consulate’s website is easy, but make sure you follow these steps if you want to ensure that your application is accepted.

Processing times are dependent on the number of visa applications that are being dealt with at once, so the best thing to do is to apply at least 2 weeks prior to your trip. If it’s less than 2 weeks, then you might not get your visa on time, so keep that in mind. You can even apply up to 3 months in advance, but make sure it’s no longer than that, otherwise, your application won’t be accepted.

Step 1: Complete your online application form

The first step is to go to the consulate’s website and scroll down until you see types of visa. Choose the one you need and on the next page, you’ll find the Schengen visa application form. Click on this and the system will take you to the next page where you can access the VIDEX software.

The options available are:

1. New application – this is for you to input your data
2. Launch assistant – in case you are unsure of what information to input
3. Import data – if you have a JSON file, you can import your data into the application form
4. Scan barcode – you can scan the barcode number to retrieve data

To save time, have the following documents to hand before you begin filling out your application:

1. Passport
2. Travel/flight schedule
3. Address in Germany
4. Hotel reservation
5. Letter of invitation

At the end of this step, print off:

1. Application form (requires your signature)
2. Instruction according to Section 55 (2) (1) of the Residence Act (requires your signature)
3. Barcodes with your VIDEX-encrypted data

Step 2: Making an Appointment

Next step is to make an appointment on the consulate’s website. Please follow the instructions on each screen in order to get to the appointment slots available.

There are a few things to bear in mind when you are booking your appointment:

1. Choose the correct visa – appointments for the wrong visa will be cancelled. If you are unsure you can email the consulate for advice
2. One appointment per person – if there is more than 1 person, they need 1 appointment each
3. Book only 1 appointment – to avoid waiting times for other customers
4. Your main destination must be Germany – if you plan to travel to anointer Schengen country (that is your main destination, you must apply at the relevant consulate

You have the option of sending your application by mail, if you have applied for a Schengen visa within the last 2 years. If this applies, you must send:

1. Fee
2. Passport
3. Pre-filled FedEx/USPS slip with your address plus $25 for the FedEx/USPS fee (if required)
4. Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope (if required)
5. Document checklist

Please note, all signatures must be notarized.

The processing times for mailed applications can take up to 5 weeks.

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: Preparing your documents

At this point, it’s time to get your documents ready prior to your appointment. You must provide originals as well as photocopies of everything.

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: Submit your file

On the day of your appointment, go to the German Consulate General in New York. It’s a good idea to get there with time to spare. No doubt you’ll be feeling a little anxious, so by arriving early, you can try to relax a little before the interview begins. You’ll also be able to check that you have everything with you and that it is all in order. It advisable to dress formally because if the visa official sees you in shorts and a t-shirt, they might think that you are not serious and this could affect the decision.

In addition to your documents, you must take:

1. Instruction according to Section 55 (2) (1) of the Residency Act (signed)
2. Barcodes with VIDEX-encrypted data
3. Information on Data Protection

You may also be required to provide biometric data which includes a photo and fingerprints.

Schengen visa fees:

There is an additional fee of $25 if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you.

The official may question you further questions to establish what you have stated in your application. The best way to approach this, is to respond quickly, honestly, and to the point. They only wish to know if you have genuine reasons for making this trip.

Some of the most common questions are:

1. Where do you live in the country?
2. Do your parents/in-laws live with you?
3. Do you have any children?
4. Your sibling/friend/relative is working in the Schengen area. Are you going to meet them for a job?
5. When was the last time you paid your income tax?

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

Once your application has been processed, the consulate will notify you that you are able to collect your passport from the New York office or have it returned by mail.

It may seem that the Schengen visa process is challenging, but it is actually very simple. All you need to do, is apply online, get all your documents together, and turn up for your interview. But, there are many reasons why applications get rejected and here are just a few:

1. Incomplete documentation
2. No travel health insurance
3. Incorrect application form
4. Purpose of the trip isn’t clear
5. Lack of funds
6. Intention to leave Schengen area not clear

You can prevent your application from being rejected by having all the correct documentation, completed in full. In addition, explain your intentions clearly and to the best of your ability if questioned in the interview.

Contact detail for the German Consulate General in New York

Address: 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017

Email: visa@newy.diplo.de

Phone: +1-212-610-9700

Fax: +1-212-940-0402

Any visa-related queries should be made through the consulate’s contact form

 Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

Conclusion

When you’re applying for your German Schengen visa at the German Consulate General in New York, the only thing you need to do is take it step-by-step and, hopefully, everything will run smoothly. Then you can concentrate on preparing for your unforgettable trip 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.

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