German Embassy Washington DC – 5 Easy Steps to Apply for Germany Schengen Visa

Germany will thrill and surprise you from the very start! With modern, vibrant cities full of opportunities to explore and get acquainted with the German way of life. The countryside is stunning with rolling green fields and traditional villages nestled between majestic mountains – it’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with this Schengen country. In this article learn more about how to apply for Germany Visa at the German embassy in Washington, DC, Germany visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Germany visa application center and Germany Visa Application Process at the Washington DC embassy.

Schengen Visa

With 2,049,055 received applications and a 7.63% rejection rate, Germany was one of the most popular countries to visit in 2017. The embassy in Washington DC dealt with 1,201 and rejected 35 of those.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

If you live permanently in the US and you wish to travel to Germany, you may need a Schengen visa to enter the country. This depends on your nationality. For example:

1. US citizens do NOT require a visa
2. Non-US citizens DO require a visa
3. Non-US holders of a re-entry permit DO require a visa.
4. Holders of US documents issued as refugee travel documents do NOT require a visa for tourist, transit, or business purposes in Germany only. These documents must be valid for 4 months past trip
5. Holders of B1/B2 visas CAN NOT apply for a Schengen visa. They can ONLY apply for an Airport Transit visa. This must be done in your country of residence

You have to make sure you apply at the right German embassy and consulate. The embassy of Germany in Washington only deals with applications from within its jurisdiction, so if you reside in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia or the District of Columbia, you can submit your application to this particular office.

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the German Embassy in Washington DC

There are 2 types of visa offered by the German embassy in Washington DC. The type you need to apply for is determined by how long you are planning to go to Germany for. For a duration of up to 90 days, you’ll need a Schengen visa and for a duration of over 90 days, you’ll need a Residence visa.

1. Schengen visas are available for tourist, business, visiting family and/or friends, and airport transit for up to 90 days.
2. Residence visas are available for employment, family reunion, study etc., for periods of over 90 days.

Please check the embassy’s website for further information on which type of visa is the right one for your circumstances. It’s not up to the embassy to tell you!

Visas are usually 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 Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington DC  

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

1. Step 1: Complete the visa application form
2. Step 2: Book an appointment
3. Step 3: Prepare required documents
4. Step 4: Go to the interview
5. Step 5: Receive your visa

Complete the above steps one-by-one and in order and the whole process will be simple.

One important thing to keep in mind is the time it takes to process applications. The embassy in Washington DC generally has a turnaround time of 24-48 hours, but it could take up to 14 days if you are from certain countries. You can apply any time between 15 days and 90 days, so don’t leave it too late!

Step 1: Complete your visa application form

The first step is to go to the embassy’s website and click on: “Consular services” then “Visa Information”:

Scroll down, and choose the visa you want:

Next, you need to go down the page and choose the category of visa you want to apply for:

On this page you’ll find information regarding required documents and appointments etc. Have a look at this before going any further:

Click on Schengen Visa Application Form (with instructions). You will be directed to the embassy’s appointment booking system:

The application form is completed with the embassy’s VIDEX software. Scroll down 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 which you can find on the embassy’s website.

Before you start, gather the following information because you will need this when you complete the application. Set enough time aside to try and complete the application in one go. That way you can prevent any of the data from being lost.

1. Travel document i.e. passport
2. Flight reservation
3. An address in Germany/Hotel reservation
4. Letter of invitation (if applicable)

As you proceed through the application, there are explanations regarding the information required if you need them. When you have finished completing the application in full, print it off. You also need to print the Residence Act form and the VIDEX barcodes.

Step 2: Book an Appointment

When booking your appointment, you must state the correct category of visa. If you are unsure, you can send an email to the embassy before you book. You cannot book an appointment by telephone or email. Instead, you can do this through the embassy’s website. Scroll down to “Office hours and appointments”:

On the next page, go down to “Schengen visa, applications by appointment only”:

You’ll find information on the visa appointment procedure. If you are happy with this, scroll down and click on: “Online appointment system”:

On the first page, there is general information regarding making an appointment. Once you’ve read this, click: “Continue”:

Then, you need to choose the type of visa you are applying for:

On the next page, you will be given general information regarding your type of visa. If you are happy with this and wish to proceed, click: “Continue”:

Next, you’ll need to type the CAPTCHA code:

On the final page, you can choose a day and time that is suitable for you to visit the embassy in Washington DC:

You will receive a confirmation of your appointment by email which includes a reference number, the date and time. Take this with you when you go to your interview.

If you have had a previous 1 year Schengen visa or 2 previous Schengen visas within the last 2 years, you can talk to the German embassy in Washington DC 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: Prepare required documents

This step is really important to get right. You should check the information on the embassy’s website before you start. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. In addition, you must provide originals as well as photocopies of everything.

Documents to prepare include:

1) Visa application form completed and signed

2) Signed residence law form

3) 2 current passport photos 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm with white background

4) Passport with at least 3 blank pages, valid for 3 months past your return dates, and issued in the last 10 years

5) Medical health insurance for a minimum of €30,000 cover

6) US residence permit or visa valid for at least 3 months beyond return to the US

7) Flight reservation, return flight with travel dates included

8) Proof of employment

9) Most recent retirement statement

10) Proof of salary

11) Proof of funds – 3 x bank statements or sponsorship letter

12) Proof of payment for real estate properties

13) Affidavit of financial support

14) Invitation letter from family or friends, companies etc.

15) Entrance ticket for trade show

16) Proof of business meetings

17) Bookings for tourist attractions

18) Address in Germany

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: Go to the interview

Go to the embassy on the day of your interview with all your documents in order to hand them over for processing. Don’t be late! Your appointment will be cancelled if you miss your slot by more than 20 minutes. It’s also a good idea to dress smartly and don’t turn up wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

The staff will review your application and if they need to clarify anything, they may ask you further questions. Just answer them as best you can and be sure to tell them everything they wish to know. Interview questions you could be asked are:

• How much will this journey cost and what do you know about the Schengen zone?
• What is your pension income?
• What are your plans after you return to the US?
• What did you say your mother does?
• What do you do in the US?

If you have applied for a Schengen visa before, you would have already provided biometric data. Your fingerprint scans can be reused if you are applying again within 5 years. This is only if the information can be extracted from the Visa Information System (VIS). Otherwise, you’ll need to provide up to date data.

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 visa fee. Plus, an additional fee of $25 if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you. The fee can be paid by cash and money order only.

Schengen Visa Fee

Step 5: Receive your visa

When a decision has been made about your application, you will receive notification that you can collect it from the embassy or have it returned to you by mail.

Hopefully, your German visa will be in your passport, but there may have been a reason why it was rejected:

1. Incomplete application due to missing documents
2. Ties to the country of residence cannot be established
3. Purpose of the trip is not clear
4. Invalid passport
5. Documents not signed
6. Financial means has not been provided

The embassy will not accept incomplete applications, so don’t waste your time or theirs by going to your interview with half an application. They need everything to be able to make a decision. Don’t forget to sign documents that require a signature, so go through them all with a fine-toothed comb! If your passport is not valid, then you must get a new one before applying for your visa. You must be able to show that you have a reason to return to the US, what the reason for your trip is, and that you can pay for it. Provide evidence for these things and/or make it clear at your interview.

Contact detail for the German Embassy in Washington DC

Address: 4645 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007

Email: visa@wash.diplo.de

Phone: +1 202 298 4000*

Fax: +1 202 298 4261

*This telephone number is for emergencies only! It is not to be used for general inquiries regarding visas and passports.

If you wish to contact the embassy regarding visa categories when booking appointments, you can use their contact form

Hours:

Monday to Thursday, 08.00 am – 11.45 am (Appointments)

Monday to Thursday, 1.00 pm – 2.30 pm (Passport/visa pick-up)

Conclusion

So, 5 very easy steps to follow in applying for your visa for Germany!

1. Complete the visa application form
2. Book an appointment
3. Prepare required documents
4. Go to the interview
5. Receive your visa

Before long, you’ll have your visa and you can start to get ready for your 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 , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many 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 Atlanta, Georgia
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