U.S. citizens traveling to Germany for tourism or business require a valid U.S. passport for stays under 90 days. For visits longer than three months, a tourist or business visa is required. Non U.S. Citizens should refer to the Visa Country List to ascertain whether they will require a visa for tourism or business.
Germany allows citizens of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, as well as EU citizens to enter the country without a visa. However, you will be asked to apply for a student residence visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days. This application can be made after entering Germany. In addition to your passport, you will need: the original letter of admission or acceptance from a German university, college, or language school; proof of sufficient funds to support yourself while living in Germany; and a visa fee.
All non German citizens must obtain a work visa to be authorized for employment in Germany. German law requires a work visa to be sponsored by an employer. U.S. citizens can enter Germany without a work visa and obtain work authorization after entering.
Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which requires that citizens of certain countries, who are living or working in the United States, show proof that they will be returning to the United States before entering a Schengen country. It is recommended that you obtain a U.S. visa travel stamp in your passport prior to applying for your German visa. A U.S. visa can only be obtained by traveling to a U.S. consular post abroad and making the necessary application. Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States do not need to apply for a visa stamp. Providing an original "green card" at the time of the German Visa application should suffice as proof of your plan to return to the U.S.
