Getting a U.S. Visa in Germany 2025

We were impressed by the services at the Frankfurt U.S embassy location. Very organised. Step 1) Stand in the queue outside the embassy and out of the two windows you will be called at one of the window to get your appointment details and passport verified Step 2) Go through security screening to enter the consulate 3) Enter inside the building and stand in the queue for secondary validation 4) Go for finger printing 5) Go for interview in the line. They will let you know if approved or no. We appeared for E3 and E3D on 24th feb and got our passports on 2nd March morning. We received the emails for passport collections on 1st EOD. Also the main applicant somehow did not receive the email.
- Ankita (about 2 years ago)

1. Expect to receive an email indicating the passport is ready on the evening of the 3rd business day from your interview. 2. I picked up the passport at 9am, and still made my 10.50 am flight out Frankfurt Airport
- Jonny (about 3 years ago)

Interview was for an initial E3 visa. The process for booking the appointment was mostly easy, they accept Australian credit cards for online payment. The visa interview wait time was approximately 5 days. The embassy was easy to find, with ample public transport options. The paperwork will say don’t take any electronic devices, so I followed that and took none, however security did have facilities to store phones etc. The actual visa process at the interview was quite simple, I had a multitude of paperwork but in the end the only thing they wanted from me was the LCA. Actual time at the embassy was approximately 2 hours, but most of that was just waiting in lines. On completion of the interview they will say expect your passport back in 1-2 weeks. However I completed my appointment at 1pm Friday 5 May, and my passport was ready for collection Tuesday 10 May. So without the weekend in there a 3 day turnaround may have been possible. Overall I found it a very simple process, and it ran smoothly. I would definitely recommend the Frankfurt consulate.
- Ian (about 3 years ago)

America Josh Review Rhys Hutchison 16:53 (0 minutes ago) to Kaila This is the review that I left on his site, thought to send it to you for your notes/review on reddit etc. What can I say about US Consulates within Germany that hasn't already been said before. We were severely limited with official information online surrounding E3R & E3D renewals. After countless days attempting to arrange an appointment, we managed to find one in the coming weeks post covid at their Frankfurt Embassy. My partner and I arrived close to an hour early for our appointment, as we were unsure of the area and any other situations that may arise. We were asked to queue up outside to obtain our security clearance, which we were allowed to store our small personal items (ie. mobile phones & smart watch) inside their office before proceeding inside to the consulate for our appointment. After speaking with several official staff members who verified our documentation, collected both sets of biometrics and also verbally confirmed both our employment situations. We were verbally advised that our application for renewal had been successful and that next steps involved our passports being taken for issuance of an updated visa stamp. This entire process began on the Friday and would take several days to complete, I actively monitored the status of the renewal every few hours using our DS-160 application numbers online, and seen that it was quickly being processed. The status portal mentions that upon receiving approval, that it would only take 2 days to be returned. Officially, we received an email 3 days later to advise that everything was ready to be picked up at the designated location. I'd highly suggest checking the new visa stamp as within our returned passports the expiration date was incorrect; the consulate unfortunately used my previous LCA which was still valid and resulted in the use of the wrong expiry date (< 1 month). Online support and calls to the consulate advised us that the process to have everything corrected was for us to submit an email to the visa support unit and await a response. We obliged by submitting the support request but also decided to venture back to the consulate and possibly speak with someone that might be able to assist. After arriving and politely explaining the situation along with our impending return flight to the US. A consulate security officer contacted an embassy official and was able to immediately come outside to speak with us. I provided the official with the discrepancy and handed over the correct LCA, this person was able to reprint the correct visa stamp and amend it within our passports whilst we waited outside within the hour. TL;DR - I'd highly recommend German Consulates as their staff were extremely helpful and turn around times were rather quick in comparison to the last time we renewed within the US & Sydney.
- Rhys & Kaila (about 3 years ago)

Getting an appointment was easy for non residents of Germany. Interview was very easy and most importantly passport came back very fast. Had the interview on Tuesday morning and picked up my passport Friday. The only issue with Munich is you need to wait in line outside on the street. In winter it is very cold so highly recommend wearing layers and getting there early.
- Adam (about 9 months ago)

Super quick passport return. All the consulate staff were professional and kind and helpful - just don't show up with big bags or large electronic devices. I recommend taking a book or something to read while standing in line.
- Steve (about 3 years ago)

Security will hold your phone despite the consulate instructions telling you they won't. Interviewer was very thorough compared to other renewals. Asked several questions about long term intentions and wanted to see a letter from my employer (for a renewal?).
- Nathan (about 3 years ago)

Was able to find an appointment about 3 weeks out. Arrived at the consulate (NOT the Embassy near Pariser Platz, go to the other one a little bit outside of the city). No bags, phones, electronics, smart watches, fitbits, nothing allowed. Just your papers, passport and a wallet. Make sure to have a good-quality passport photo, they will check it against the one you uploaded and see which one is better quality for the printed stamp. No lockers available, had to go back to the metro station and pay 5 euro at the concession stand to put things in a 'locker'. Which was some guy behind the counter putting things in a box on the floor. Be cautious of your valuables, turn off your phone completely. Back at the consulate, excruciating security process - every step is controlled, yelled at if you dare to make eye contact with anyone or step in the wrong direction by accident. Timeline: Tuesday July 8, 2025 - early morning appointment. Three stages - document check, fingerprint, interview. Took about an hour overall. A few interview questions about my role, petitioner, brands I work for. Wednesday July 9 - some time around midday, CEAC website changed application status from 'Approved' to 'Issued'. Thursday July 10 - received an email saying that the passport is ready for pick-up, and to go to the pick-up location the next business day, and not to call the pick-up location either. Address in email is provided, it's a bit south of the city center but super easy to get to on the Metro. Friday July 11 - picked up passport that morning. Passport validity was dated the same date the application showed 'Issued' - July 9.
- T (about 23 days ago)