Germany tourist visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Germany tourist Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇩🇪 Germany·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Germany
Type
C · TOURISM
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededTourism — short stay (Type C) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 11
Competent authority
German Embassy Washington D.C. or the competent Consulate General by jurisdiction (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco)
Application centre
BLS International (service provider for all missions except the Consulate General Atlanta, where applicants apply directly at the consulate)
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
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 amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
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 holdersVisa-exempt for short stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period if no economic activity is pursued
- Non-US citizens resident in the USAMust consult the German missions' country list to check visa requirement and must hold valid US immigration status
- Russian and Gambian nationalsExtended processing time of up to 45 days applies
- Minors (under 18)Application signed by both parents, birth certificate, both parents' passport copies and parental consent