Germany long-stay (Type D) visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Germany long-stay (Type D) Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇩🇪 Germany·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Germany
Type
D · LONG STAY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededLong stay — national (Type D) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 09
Competent authority
German Embassy Washington D.C. or competent Consulate General by jurisdiction (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco)
Application centre
BLS International for appointment/submission (except Atlanta, direct); national-visa applications initiated online via the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de) then finalised in person at the mission
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Travel itineraryA day-by-day plan of your trip to attach to the application.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
$35
Est. total (adult)
$135
Long stay (Type D)
€75
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in USD · centre: BLS International.
Fee notes
Germany's US applications handled by BLS International, not VFS. National D €75 adult / €37.50 minor. Optional mail return up to $35.
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
3–9 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
No single official figure; German-mission short-stay waits in the US are among the tightest, can run several weeks, especially peak season.
Application centre
BLS International (US) handles appointments/submission for German missions, EXCEPT Consulate General Atlanta (direct). Strong jurisdiction-by-state complexity across Washington/NY/Boston/Chicago/Houston/LA/Miami/SF/Atlanta.
Timeline notes
Federal Foreign Office states minimum ~2 weeks (15 days), up to ~45 days plus mailing. BLS International general provider, Atlanta consulate-direct exception. Jurisdiction strictly by state.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe figures below are the short-stay (Type C) means of subsistence. A long-stay (Type D) visa sets its funds requirement nationally by purpose (study, work, family reunification, income) — check the consulate for the amount that applies to your case.
Per day
€45
Minimum
—
In EUR ≈
as shown
Notes
No mandatory per-day reference amount is set; border officials assess each case individually. Where the traveller cannot produce evidence or credible statements, EUR 45 per day should be at their disposal. Onward/return travel must also be ensured. Sponsorship declarations / host guarantees accepted.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- US passport holders and citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, UK, South KoreaMay enter Germany without a prior long-stay visa and apply for the residence permit at the local Auslaenderbehoerde after arrival (but may not start employment until the permit is issued)
- Non-US citizens resident in the USAMust hold valid US immigration status; generally require the D visa before travel