Those who want to work in Germany need to first obtain a suitable visa. U.S. citizens may apply for a residence permit enabling them to work in Germany after they have arrived in the country. They may also apply for, and obtain, an employment visa before they arrive. This can be done in person at the German embassy in Washington, or one of the consulates in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami or San Francisco. Work visa applications take between 30 and 90 days to be processed.
A U.S. citizen intending to live with a German spouse must obtain a visa allowing their permanent residence. This can be applied for while in Germany or prior to entry. The German government requires applicants to prove a basic understanding of the German language before they are accepted.
Students from the U.S. who intend to study in Germany for more than 90 days will need to apply for a student visa. This can be done either prior to arrival--via an embassy or consulate in the U.S.--or after entry into the country. Applications are processed in an average of 25 days. Following approval by the Aliens' Office, a final residence permit will be issued for the duration of the study period.
