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Visa Germany from USA
For US citizens: All information on applying for a visa in Germany.
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What are the entry requirements for US citizens in Germany?
Under what conditions are US citizens allowed to work in Germany?
How to apply for a visa at the German embassy in the USA
whether and how Americans can obtain a Golden Visa for Germany
1. Migration from the USA to Germany
2. Visa-free entry and employment of US citizens
2.1 Stay up to 90 days
2.2 No work during visa-free stay
3. Apply for a visa for US citizens
3.1 Responsible Embassy USA
3.2 Required documents for a US visa to Germany
3.3 Obtaining a visa appointment in the USA
3.4. Residence permit for US citizens in Berlin
4. Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 29 October 1954 between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America
5. Retirement visa for US citizens
6. FAQ Immigration from the USA
7. Conclusion: Immigration from the USA
1. Migration from the USA to Germany
The USA is one of the most important countries of origin for immigrants to Germany, both for educational and labor migration . The USA is not only among the leading countries of origin for skilled workers and educational immigrants to Germany, but also for other types of migration. Americans also apply relatively frequently for a so-called " Golden Visa " for Germany, especially in retirement . This visa allows wealthy individuals who invest in Germany to obtain long-term residency status.
Due to the political and cultural ties between the two countries, US citizens enjoy preferential treatment in Germany when applying for residence permits. This applies not only to visa-free entry into Germany (see the visa list of the Federal Foreign Office ), but also, unlike other nationalities who can enter visa-free, to applying directly for a residence permit in Germany (§ 41 AufenthV). Most nationalities must return to their home country due to visa requirements and apply for long-term residency from there. However, this is not the case for US citizens. US citizens can enter Germany visa-free and apply for a residence permit directly here, without having to first apply for a new visa at a German embassy in the US (§ 41 AufenthV). This does not apply, however, to the so-called " Opportunity Card" (a special permit for US citizens).
2. Visa-free entry and employment of US citizens
For visa-free entry for US citizens, the general requirements of the Schengen Borders Code must be met (see Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code (EU Regulation 2016/399)) . This primarily means that people from the USA must possess a valid passport for entry. The passport should also have at least one blank data page, as US citizens also receive an entry stamp upon arrival in Germany. Another requirement for visa-free entry for foreign nationals from the USA is that they can prove the purpose of their trip at the border and demonstrate that they can finance their stay in Germany. Specifically, for business trips, this means presenting a corresponding letter of invitation from the inviting company and proof of hotel booking at the border.
2.1 Stay up to 90 days
People from the USA can stay in Germany for up to 90 days within any 180-day period after successful entry without a visa (§ 41 AufenthV). The EU Commission provides the so-called " Schengen calculator " for a precise calculation of the 90 days. The stay of US citizens can also be extended beyond 90 days if a residence permit is applied for at the immigration office during the visa-free stay. In this case, the so-called " legitimate interest " takes effect, which legalizes the stay until the immigration office has decided on the application for a residence permit (§ 81 para. 3 AufenthG). Until the immigration office makes its decision, a certificate of deemed residence can be issued. Further information can be found in our VISAGUARD guide on applying for a certificate of deemed residence . However, it should be noted that the legal interest does not entitle US citizens to travel.
2.2 No work during visa-free stay
Visa-free entry for US citizens generally only applies if they do not engage in gainful employment in Germany. Therefore, a visa or residence permit is always required to take up employment, regardless of whether the foreigner comes from a privileged country like the USA or not (see Section 4a Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act). The only exceptions to this are the so-called " deemed non-employment " provisions (Section 30 of the German Employment Ordinance). According to this regulation, US citizens may engage in certain activities in Germany during a visa-free stay, although these activities are very limited. A frequently used example of permit-free employment for people from the USA is business travel or participation in trade fairs . However, it should be noted that the deemed non-employment provisions do carry some risks. If the limits of permit-free activity are exceeded, it constitutes illegal employment. In this case, severe penalties may apply (see VISAGUARD information on illegal employment of foreigners ). One of our independent VISAGUARD experts will be happy to advise you on whether or not you need a work permit to work in Germany as a US citizen.
3. Apply for a visa for US citizens
3.1 Responsible Embassy USA
A visa must be applied for at the relevant embassy or consulate in the USA. The following German diplomatic missions exist in the USA (usually called "Consulate General" in the USA):
Which German mission is responsible for your case depends on your place of residence in the USA. You can check the websites of the German embassies in the USA to see which consular districts each embassy is responsible for. The embassies in the USA provide a dedicated "consulate finder" for this purpose.
3.2 Required documents for a US visa to Germany
You can also find information about the documents required for your US visa application on the website of the respective embassy . The embassy provides a fact sheet outlining the necessary documents for each visa category. Fact sheets are available for the categories "Work Visa," "Research Visa," "Study Visa," and "Family Reunion Visa." Within each category, there are further subcategories for the specific visa type.
3.3 Obtaining a visa appointment in the USA
Once 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, US embassies, like other embassies worldwide, often experience similar scheduling difficulties. However, it can be helpful to prepare your visa application thoroughly and then contact the embassy by email or contact form with your prepared documents to request an appointment. If your application is well-prepared and the embassy staff sees that it can be processed quickly, they may, in some cases, grant you a special appointment. A list of all embassy email addresses is available from the Federal Foreign Office .
After your visa appointment, the embassy or consulate general will process your application. This process takes approximately 2-4 weeks in the USA. Once processed, you can collect your passport and/or visa from the embassy or have it sent to you via express delivery for an additional fee. You can then enter Germany.
3. 4. Residence permit for US citizens in Berlin
If you are already residing in Germany and wish to apply for a residence permit as a US citizen, you must contact your local immigration office . In Berlin, for example, residence permits for US citizens are issued by the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The State Office for Immigration provides specific information for US citizens on its website . If you, as a US citizen, wish to apply for a residence permit pursuant to Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV) at the Berlin Immigration Office, you must submit the following documents:
Valid passport
Employment contract
Rental agreement including details of the living space
Proof of monthly rent (e.g. bank statement)#
Proof of your health insurance
The collected documents must then be submitted via the LEA contact form . The immigration office will then schedule an appointment for you. Booking an appointment is no longer possible in Berlin (see the VISAGUARD blog post on the abolition of the appointment system in Berlin ).
4. Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 29 October 1954 between the Federal Republic of Germany and the USA
Several special provisions regarding visa issuance also arise from the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of October 29, 1954, between the Federal Republic of Germany and the USA . This bilateral agreement contains numerous privileges for visa applications by US citizens. These include, among others, the following:
The existence of an economic interest for Germany can be assumed in accordance with Section 21 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act ( self-employment ) (most-favored-nation clause).
Self-employed individuals and freelancers can obtain a residence permit without adequate retirement provisions.
In all discretionary provisions, the agreement must be given preferential consideration (benevolence clause).
The Treaty of Friendship between Germany and the USA does not provide a direct legal basis for claims, but it can nevertheless be useful in many situations. Particularly within the framework of discretionary provisions (e.g., Section 7 of the Residence Act), case law has repeatedly made it clear that the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of October 29, 1954, between the Federal Republic of Germany and the USA must be taken into account as a discretionary consideration (see, for example , Karlsruhe Administrative Court, judgment of November 23, 2021 - 1 K 3409/20 ).
5. Retirement visa for US citizens
Many Americans come to Germany (or Europe in general) to spend their retirement . Retirees, in particular, appreciate the opportunity to spend several months a year in Europe without being subject to the strict visa restrictions for tourists . At the same time, many retain their residence in the USA and use Germany as a convenient base for travel within the Schengen Area. However, since they are no longer employed during this time, obtaining a retirement visa for Germany is not so easy.
A so-called " Golden Visa " is also an option for US citizens. According to case law, this can be granted if the applicant's assets are so substantial that it is not expected to be depleted during their lifetime. There are also ways to obtain a visa through investment (see Section 7 of the German Residence Act). This could involve, for example, acquiring real estate or establishing a business (see Section 21 of the German Residence Act). A corresponding visa can be applied for with an investment of approximately €250,000 to €500,000. However, it should be noted that the granting of investment visas in Germany is at the discretion of the authorities . The embassy can issue the visa, but is not obligated to do so. It is therefore advisable to engage a lawyer to handle the application for a Golden Visa or Investor Visa.
6. FAQ Visa for US citizens
Do people from the USA need a recognized qualification to work in Germany?
No, in most cases Americans are allowed to work in Germany even without recognized qualifications (§ 26 para. 1 BeschV).
Can Americans work in Germany for foreign employers (e.g., remotely)?
Yes. Normally, working for an employer abroad is not possible for foreigners in Germany (§ 39 para. 2 sentence 1 no. 3 of the German Residence Act). However, US citizens can apply for a work permit for a foreign employer (e.g., in the USA) (see § 26 para. 1 of the German Residence Act).
Are American citizens affected by the new ETIAS regulations?
Yes, since American citizens can enter visa-free, they will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from mid-2025.
How long does a visa application process take from the USA?
Visa procedures in the USA are relatively quick. Most US visa applications can be completed within 2-4 months if our VISAGUARD tips for speeding up visa processes are followed .
What is the most common purpose for which Americans reside in the US?
According to the BAMF monitoring report on education and labor migration, annual report 2023, the USA is proportionally overrepresented in work visas compared to other countries.
What is the success rate for visa applications from the USA?
Due to the various privileges for foreigners from the USA, the success rate for visa applications is over 90% if the requirements are met.
Can US citizens enter and work in Germany without a visa?
US citizens may enter Germany without a visa for up to 90 days (§ 41 AufenthV), but are not permitted to take up employment. A residence permit is required for employment (§ 4a para. 1 AufenthG).
7. Conclusion
This page explains the special visa and residence regulations that apply to US citizens in Germany. US citizens are citizens of the so-called "Best Friends" countries and, as such, can enter Germany without a visa, apply for a residence permit (§ 41 AufenthV), and work without a formally recognized qualification (§ 26 para. 1 BeschV). A very popular residence permit for US citizens is the Golden Visa , as is the EU long-term residence permit (§ 9a AufenthG) .
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List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] BeckOK AuslR/Klaus, 29th Ed. April 1, 2021, BeschV § 26
[2] Regarding the (denied) residence of a US reservist in Germany pursuant to Section 7 of the Residence Act, see Karlsruhe Administrative Court, judgment of 23 November 2021 - 1 K 3409/20
[3] Offer/Mävers, Commentary on the Employment Ordinance, 2nd ed. 2022, § 26
[4] Regarding the (denied) visa requirement for best friends' family members, see Administrative Court of Munich, decision of 4 September 2020 - M 9 S 20.3274