Visa Germany from USA
For US citizens: All information on applying for a visa in Germany
Migration from the USA to Germany
On this page you will find all the information you need to apply for a visa from your home country or country of residence . In this respect, special rules apply for each nationality . This applies not only to visa-free status, but also to the possibility of working and the qualifications required for this (see Section 26 of the Employment Ordinance ) and the question of whether the visa can be applied for directly in Germany (see Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance ). In this respect, some nationals are clearly privileged compared to other foreigners. This differentiation is not only evident in the possibility of applying for a visa at all, but also in the availability of appointments and processing speed at the respective embassies or foreign missions.
In this article on visa law for citizens of certain nationalities you will find out all the special visa regulations that apply to your nationality .
Table of Content
1. As an American to Germany
2. Visa law for US citizens in Germany
2.1 Visa-free entry into Germany for US citizens (§ 41 AufenthV)
2.2 Work permit for US citizens in Germany (Section 26, Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance)
3. Application process for a visa as a US citizen
3.1 Apply for a visa from the USA
3.1.1 Which Embassy USA Visa Germany
3.1.2 Necessary documents Visa from USA for Germany
3.1.3 Appointment for visa USA to Germany
3.2 Residence permit as a US citizen in Germany
4. USA Golden Visa for Germany
5. FAQ Germany Visa from USA
1. As an American to Germany
The USA is one of the most important immigration countries to Germany, both in the area of educational and labor migration. Numerous young people from the USA come to Germany to study or to prepare for a degree course. Also particularly noteworthy is the high number of academic specialists who come to Germany as part of labor migration under Section 18b (academic skilled worker immigration) or Section 18g (EU Blue Card). According to the BAMF Monitoring of Educational and Labor Migration, Annual Report 2023, the USA is proportionally overrepresented in relation to other countries when it comes to work visas. In the area of permanent settlement permits (Section 9a of the Residence Act), it can also be seen that US citizens often receive a long-term visa , even if they live primarily in the USA.
The USA is one of the leading countries of origin to Germany not only in the area of skilled and educational immigration, but also in other types of migration. Americans are also comparatively likely to apply for a so-called "Golden Visa" for Germany, especially in retirement . This visa enables wealthy individuals who invest in Germany to obtain long-term residency status. The "Golden Visa" is often used by Americans to stay in Germany temporarily while also benefiting from the advantages of a Schengen visa for travel in Europe. Retirees in particular appreciate the opportunity to spend several months a year in Europe without having to rely on the strict visa restrictions for tourists. At the same time, many maintain their residence in the USA and use Germany as a convenient base for travel within the Schengen Area .
In addition, many US Americans receive permission for permanent residence in the EU under Section 9a of the Residence Act, a permanent visa for Germany, even though they often live in the USA and only occasionally travel to Germany.
2. Visa law for US citizens in Germany
Compared to other nationalities, Americans are very privileged in Germany. This applies not only to visa-free entry, but also to the relatively uncomplicated application for a work permit and German social security law. The opportunities for integration are usually much easier for US citizens, as they often benefit from fewer bureaucratic hurdles. In addition, the requirements for applying for permanent residence status, such as the EU's permanent residence permit, are lower than for other third-country nationals. The reasons for these advantages lie mainly in the historically close and stable relations between the USA and Germany.
2.1 Visa-free entry into Germany for US citizens (§ 41 AufenthV)
US Americans are generally allowed to enter Germany without a visa (see the Federal Foreign Office visa list ). In the case of US citizens, however, the privilege of visa-free travel is not limited to the possibility of traveling to Germany for tourist reasons, but is also extended to include the possibility of applying for a residence permit in Germany . As a result, there are many nationalities who can stay in Germany without a visa for tourist reasons, but few who can then apply for a residence permit here without a visa. Because of the visa requirement, most nationalities then have to travel back to their home country and apply for long-term residence from there. This is not the case for US Americans, however. US Americans can therefore enter Germany without a visa and also apply for a residence permit here directly, without first having to apply for a new visa in the USA ( Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance ). However, you should note that the possibility of visa-free entry and application for a residence permit in the country does not allow employment . As a US citizen, you can therefore enter the country without a visa and apply for a residence permit here, but you are only allowed to work once the residence permit has been granted (Section 4a of the Residence Act).
2.2 Work permit for US citizens in Germany (Section 26, Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance)
Another special feature for US citizens in Germany is that (after the permit has been granted) they can do any job ( Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance ). Normally, strict regulations apply to the granting of a work permit to foreigners. For example, foreigners must generally have a recognized qualification (see Section 18 Paragraph 2 No. 4 of the Residence Act). It is also not normally possible for foreigners to work for an employer abroad (Section 39 Paragraph 2 Sentence 1 No. 3 of the Residence Act). However, neither of these applies to US citizens. US citizens can obtain a work permit in Germany for any job , regardless of whether it is a skilled or unskilled job. US citizens can also apply for a work permit for a foreign employer. This is not normally possible, as the law only provides for the granting of work permits in the case of a so-called “domestic employment relationship”.
3. Application process for a visa as a US citizen
3.1 Apply for a visa from the USA
In principle, Americans do not need a visa to enter Germany (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance). However, applying for a visa before entering the country can still make sense for Americans, especially if they are looking for employment or gainful employment in Germany. In this respect, visa-free entry to Germany does not allow you to work. Working in Germany without a work permit is also prohibited for Americans and can be punished with a fine (see Section 98 of the Residence Act ).
3.1.1 Which Embassy USA Visa Germany
A visa must be applied for in the USA at the relevant embassy or foreign representation. The following German foreign representations exist in the USA (usually called “consulate general” in the USA):
Which foreign representation is responsible for your case depends on your place of residence in the USA. On the website of the German embassies in the USA, you can check at the respective embassy which administrative districts the foreign representation is responsible for. The embassies in the USA provide a separate “Consulate Finder” is available.
3.1.2 Necessary documents Visa from USA for Germany
You can also find out which documents you need to submit for your visa application from the USA on the website of the respective embassy. The embassy provides a leaflet for each category with the documents required ( see collection of leaflets for visas for Germany from the USA ). Leaflets are available for the categories “Work Visa”, “Research Visa”, “Study Visa” and “Family Reunion Visa”. Within the categories there are then subcategories for the specific visa (see e.g. leaflet for the “Blue Card EU” work visa in the USA ).
In principle, similar documents are required to apply for a work visa from the USA as in other countries. The only special feature is that in the USA, proof of address in the USA is often required (e.g. driver's license) and that most embassies require " proof of housing " in Germany (e.g. details of a hotel reservation).
3.1.3 Appointment for visa USA to Germany
As soon as all the necessary documents are available, you can book an appointment at the embassy . You can use the RK-Visa appointment booking system for this. Unfortunately, the embassies in the USA have similar scheduling difficulties as other embassies around the world. However, it can help to prepare the visa application properly and then contact the embassy by email or contact form with the documents already prepared and ask for an appointment. If the application is well prepared and the embassy staff see that processing is quick, they may sometimes grant a special appointment. The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of all embassy email addresses .
For more information on how to speed up the visa process, see our VISAGUARD processing speed guide .
After the visa appointment has taken place, the embassy or consulate general will review your application. The review takes about 2 - 4 weeks in the USA. After the review, you can collect your passport or visa from the embassy or have the passport sent to you by express for an additional charge. You can then enter Germany.
3.2 Residence permit as a US citizen in Germany
If you are already in Germany and want to apply for a residence permit as a US citizen, you must contact your relevant immigration authority . You can find out which immigration authority is responsible for your case using the BAMF authority finder .
In Berlin, for example, residence permits are issued to US citizens by the State Office for Immigration (LEA) . The State Office for Immigration provides special information for US citizens on its website . If you, as a US citizen, want to apply to the Berlin immigration authorities for a residence permit in accordance with Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Ordinance, you must submit the following documents:
Valid passport
employment contract
rental agreement with indication of living space
Proof of monthly rent (e.g. bank statement)#
proof of your health insurance
If you, as a US citizen, apply for an extension of your residence permit, you must also submit a so-called employer certificate and your most recent salary statements.
The collected documents must then be submitted using the LEA contact form . The department responsible for US Americans at the Berlin Immigration Office or the State Office for Immigration is “E2” (see E2 contact form ). You can simply submit your documents using the E2 contact form to apply for a residence permit as a US American in accordance with Section 26 of the Residence Ordinance. The Immigration Office will then give you an appointment.
4. USA Golden Visa for Germany
In Germany, there is no direct "Golden Visa" program as is known in other countries. However, there are ways to obtain a visa through investments (see only Section 7 of the Residence Act). One option is to purchase a property or start a company (see Section 21 of the Residence Act). A corresponding visa can be applied for for an amount of around 250,000 - 500,000 euros. However, it should be noted that the issuing of investment visas in Germany is at the discretion of the authorities . The embassy can issue the visa, but it does not have to. It is therefore advisable to commission a lawyer to arrange the Golden Visa or Investor Visa.
As soon as the Golden Visa/Investors Visa has been issued, it can be converted into a permanent EU residence permit after a few years (Section 9a of the Residence Act). The permanent EU residence permit allows you to stay in Germany permanently and does not expire if you travel abroad (see Section 51, Paragraph 9 of the Residence Act). With the permanent EU residence permit, you can therefore spend large parts of the year in the USA and then come to Germany and the EU for a few days or weeks on holiday . The permanent EU residence permit can also be recognized in other EU countries , so that it ultimately entitles you to permanent residence throughout the EU without expiring if you stay abroad. Wealthy retirees from the USA in particular value this option very much.
5. FAQ Visa Germany from USA
How much does a visa from the USA for Germany cost?
A visa from the USA for Germany costs 75 euros (payable at the current exchange rate).
What types of visas are available for US citizens who want to travel to Germany?
US citizens have more options than other nationalities to apply for a visa for Germany. This applies in particular to the possibility of a work permit for US citizens (Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance).
How do US citizens apply for a visa for Germany?
US citizens must apply for a visa as usual at the consulates general and embassies in the USA.
What to do if the visa for Germany is rejected for US citizens?
If your visa from the USA is rejected, you can appeal against the rejection. Due to the numerous privileges enjoyed by US citizens, there is a good chance of winning an appeal.
Is there a priority check for work permits for US citizens?
Yes, for a visa according to Section 26 of the Employment Ordinance for US citizens, a priority check is carried out by the Federal Employment Agency.
How much do I have to earn as a US citizen to get a work permit?
The salaries in the wage atlas also apply to US citizens.
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