United States Diplomatic Mission

February 18, 2013 – The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulates General will be closed
Monday, February 18, 2013 is a U.S. federal holiday. Presidents Day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of the first U.S. president, George Washington.  The Mission will observe the following American and German holidays in 2013: http://germany.usembassy.gov/about/holidays/

February 13, 2013: Unpaid Work is Work – Make sure you have the Correct Visa
Planning to work for room and board on a farm or as an Au Pair/Nanny? Do Woofing?? An internship? Even if you stay less than 90 days, these activities are considered work and require the appropriate visa. Visa Waiver Program travelers entering the United States with ESTA authorization are not allowed to work. If you are a Summer Work Travel participant (J-1 visa) you may only work in jobs approved by your designated U.S. sponsor, even if you find your job yourself.  Informal arrangements to work in exchange for lodging or meals are also considered unauthorized employment and are against the law.  Information on visa categories is available at http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/niv/visacategories/ ; Information on J-visa (Au Pair, Work & Travel, Internships) on http://j1visa.state.gov

U.S. Consulate @ JUBI Mainz
February 2, 2013: U.S. Consulate/EducationUSA @ JUBI Mainz
Location: Theresianum Gymnasium, Oberer Laubenheimer Weg 58, 55131 Mainz
The U.S. Consulate General provides information on high school exchange opportunities, Au Pair, internships and volunteer work.  Visa questions welcome.
Further information: http://www.weltweiser.de/jugendbildungsmessen/mainz-schueleraustausch-rheinland-pfalz.htm 

U.S. Consulate in Darmstadt 
January 29, 2013: USA Info@HOBIT Darmstadt, Darmstadtium Darmstadt, Schlossgraben 1 The U.S. Consulate provides information on study in the U.S., internships, Au Pair, volunteer work at the booth of the U.S. Consulate/EducationUSA.  Visa related questions welcome. Further information: http://www.hobit.de/

Visainformation: The Visa Application Process Explained at University of Hohenheim
January 21, 2013, 4-6 pm
Location: University of Hohenheim (near Stuttgart)
Representatives of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt explain the visa application process, focussing on student visa. We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate after the visa interview has taken place. The event is open to the public.
Further informatiom: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/1568.html?&state=verpublish&status=init&vmfile=no&publishid=51936&moduleCall=webInfo&publishConfFile=webInfo&publishSubDir=veranstaltung

December 20, 2012: Visa Status Check now available Online
Applicants for nonimmigrant visas (visitor, business, student, temporary worker etc.) and immigrant visa can view the status of their visa cases from the CEAC launch page (https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/).

December 12, 2012: Students Travelling Outside the U.S. – Have the I-20/DS-2019 Endorsed Before Travel and Make Sure Your Visa is Valid
Continuing students who are going to travel outside of the United States must see their foreign student advisor and obtain an endorsement of their I-20 or DS-2019 form. When returning to the United States, a continuing student/exchange visitor must present a valid SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with the endorsement showing that the student is active and in good standing with the school or program. Students travelling without an endorsed form or with an expired visa will be denied boarding and/or entry into the U.S.
Further information: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/572/~/entering-the-u.s.---documents-required-for-foreign-nationals-(international

December 6, 2012: Kinderreisepässe & Travel to the U.S.
Children's passports (Kinderreisepässe) are not valid for travel on the Visa Waiver Program unless issued or extended on or before October 26, 2006. All children's ID (Kinderausweis) are not valid for visa free travel to the U.S.   The fact that an ESTA registration was possible, does not mean that travel with a "Kinderreisepass" or a "Kinderausweis" is possible.  Information on the Visa Waiver Program

Visainformation: The Visa Application Process Explained in Mannheim
December 4, 2012, 15:20-17:00
Location: University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, H/0908
Representatives of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt explain the visa application process.We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate after the visa interview has taken place. The event is open to the public.
Further informatiom: http://www.hs-mannheim.de/index.php?id=5265

Visainformation - Frankfurt
December 6, 2012, 14:00-18:00
Location: IHK Frankfurt, Börsenplatz 4, 60313 Frankfurt/Main
Information on exchange opportunities with the U.S. and U.S. visa. We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate after the visa interview has taken place.
Further informatiom: http://www.ba-auslandsvermittlung.de/lang_de/nn_441534/DE/Veranstaltungen/Hessen/explore-frankfurt-06122012.html

November 19, 2012: Entering the U.S. - Documents required for Foreign Nationals (International Travelers)
A foreign national entering the U.S. is generally required to present a passport and valid visa issued by a U.S. Consular Official, unless eligible for the Visa Waiver Program or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. or a citizen of Canada. For most travelers, passports must be valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S.  For a list of countries exempt from the six month rule, see Six Month Club.  

November 5, 2012: Planning to apply for your visa at the end of December 2012? Schedule an appointment early!
The visa sections at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin and the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt will be closed December 24 to 26 and January 1.  The U.S. Consulate General Munich has a very limited number of visa appointment slots open on December 24, but will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1.  Due to the national holidays and the high volume of mail sent during Christmas/New Year, delivery of letters by the German mail can take a longer than usual.  Passports cannot be picked up at the U.S. Embassy/Consulates.

Visainformation: The Visa Application Process Explained
November 15, 2012, 14:00-16:00
Location: Universität des Saarlandes, Geb. B3 1, Sitzungssaal der Philosphischen Fakultät
Representatives of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt explain the visa application process.We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate after the visa interview has taken place.
Further informatiom: http://www.uni-saarland.de/nc/aktuelles/artikel/nr/6964.html

Visainformation - Frankfurt
November 3, 2012, 11:00-15:00
Location: Central Library Frankfurt, Hasengasse 4, Frankfurt
Information on exchange opportunities with the U.S. and U.S. visa.
We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate after the visa interview has taken place.
Further informatiom: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/frankfurt/9318/consular_pdf/Chancen%20weltweit.pdf

October 24, 2012: I have a Visa - Can I Travel?
Visa are valid starting the day of issuance.  However, travel to the U.S. cannot take place before a certain date, depending on the visa category.  With a B-visa, applicants can travel as of the day of issuance.  Holders of J, F- or M-visa can travel up to 30 days before the program or study start date given in the DS-2019 or I-20 form.  Work visa (H, L, E) allow entry up to ten days before the start date listed in the petition. Further information:   http://germany.usembassy.gov/students-faq.html#earlytravel; http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1298.html

Visainformation - Heidelberg
October 25, 2012, 12:00-14:00
Location: German-American Institut, Sofienstr. 12, Heidelberg
The U.S. Consulate explains the visa application process for non-immigrant visa and answers visa questions.
We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate.
Further informatiom: http://www.dai-heidelberg.de/content/e127/index_ger.html

Visainformation - Schüleraustauschmesse Stuttgart
October 20, 2012, 10:00-16:00
Location: Dillmann-Gymnasium, Forststraße 43, 70176 Stuttgart
The U.S. Consulate provides information on working, studying and interning in the U.S. and answers visa questions.
We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate.
Further information: http://www.schueleraustausch-messe.de/messen/20102012-in-stuttgart/

Visainformation - International Day Wiesbaden
October 16, 2012, 13:-00-16:00
Location: Hochschule Rhein-Main,  Kurt-Schumacher-Ring 18, 65197 Wiesbaden, Gebäude A, Foyer im UG.
The U.S. Consulate provides information on working, studying and interning in the U.S. and answers visa questions.
We cannot discuss applications currently pending at the U.S. Consulate.
Further information: http://www.hs-rm.de/hochschule/international/aktuelles-termine/index.html

October 2, 2012: DHS Announces Taiwan’s Designation into the Visa Waiver Program starting November 1, 2012
“On October 2, 2012 the United States announced Taiwan’s designation for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Under the VWP, eligible Taiwan passport holders will be able to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met. The first day of visa-free travel for eligible Taiwan passport holders traveling to the United States will be November 1, 2012.” Further information: http://www.ait.org.tw/en/vwp.html and http://www.dhs.gov/news/2012/10/02/dhs-announces-taiwan%E2%80%99s-designation-visa-waiver-program

September 24, 2012: Visa Fee Changes due to Changes in Euro/Dollar Exchange Rate
Starting September 26, 2012, the euro/dollar exchange rate for consular services will decrease.  The new non-immigrant visa application fee in euros will be 128 € for B, J, F, M visas and  152 € for H, L, O P, Q and R.  For other categories, please check the website of our online payment service provided by Roskos & Meier OHG (https://www.visasystem-roskosmeier.de/index.php?lang=en)

August 31, 2012: Better Safe than Sorry - Apply early for ESTA
All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure and do not have a valid visa require an approved ESTA prior to the start of travel. Whereas the registration should be made at 72 hours before travel at the latest, applications may be submitted at any time before travel. If ESTA is not approved, it doesn't mean you cannot travel to the US.  It just means you’ll need to apply for a visa in person in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich.
Visa application processing takes seven to ten work days.
Visa Waiver Travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States.  ESTA registration is valid for two years.

August 23, 2012: Groups of Travelers Can Now Submit Multiple ESTA Applications
U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization web application has been updated to allow for multiple applications to be submitted and paid for in one transaction. The new online application will be available Wednesday, August 15. Further information: CBP Website

August 10, 2012: What Your Visa Tells You
When you receive your visa, please check to make sure all information is correct, including your full name, birth date, passport number, where the visa was issued, visa class and number of possible entries into the U.S.  If you think a mistake has been made, contact us at frankfurtvisainquiries@state.gov with a short description.  Please note: “Umlaute” in German names are not  transliterated.  The letter “ä” will be shown as “a”, the letter “ö” as “o” etc.  Further information: How to read the visa

July 31, 2012: Visa Regulations for Transit Through the U.S.
U.S. Airports do not have a transit area.  All passengers arriving at a U.S. airport must go through immigration, even if they only want to switch airplanes or have a short stop-over before continuing travel. Traveler transiting through the U.S. will need a visa unless eligible to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program or they hold a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. German “Kinderreisepässe” do not qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program.  Travelers spending more than 90 days between transiting through the U.S. on their way to and from a destination, do not qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Information on transit through the U.S. is available at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_4383.html#1

July 25, 2012: Appointment Time versus Interview Time
Your appointment time does not mean that you will be interviewed at this time; this is just the latest time you should arrive at the Consulate/Embassy for admittance. 
Please do not come to the Consulate/Embassy more than 30 minutes at most before your appointment time.  If you come earlier, you will be asked to leave again. Depending on the season, there may be many other applicants scheduled for the same time slot so it is possible that you will have to wait for a short time in a queue outside before being admitted to the building.  Don’t worry if you won’t reach the entrance by your appointment time because of the queue – you will not lose your interview slot.

July 18, 2012: Visa Reissuance Program available in Germany

July 17, 2012: Applying as an Student or Exchange Visitor in Frankfurt (YouTube, English) | Munich (YouTube, German)

June 18, 2012: Pre-Paid Courier Envelope Mandatory (U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt)
As of June 18, 2012, the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt requires all applicants for non-immigrant visa to submit a a pre-paid envelope in your possession.  We ask you to bring a pre-paid, pre-addressed DHL Express Brief (http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/niv/step8/)

June 6, 2012: Exchange rate adjustment. Current fees: http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/niv/step5/

April 13, 2012: New visa fees (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html)