Traveling to Germany from the USA,newbie questions...?

Question

I'm wanting to travel to Germany soon to live with my girlfreind there,i live in the USA,and am a citizen born here.

She's a German citizen,born there.

I have already got my passport recently,and i have plane ticket $,but haven't bought it yet.

Do i need to contact the German Consulate for a Visa? to go?

If i plan to stay more than 90days,will i need to get a Visa?,if so how long does getting one normally take?

Also i would like to know the Implications if i got Married while i was there,as far as being able to stay.

I will have her home as a residence while there,and will have a job working on computer's there as well.

Also if anyone could,what would a "Laundry" list of must-do things before traveling to Germany look like for a person in the USA?

Thank you very much for you're reply's

Answer 1

Another important thing to mention is, that (at least of 1996) the german citizen had to vouche for the foreigner to be able to get a Visa. The german citizen basically has to assume any costs you might create if something would happen and you couldn't work.

Working on computer work might be an issue if you try to work for a company. Again, as of my status of knowledge (1996) you had to have a work permit if you aren't a German or European Union citizen. The employer would need to proof first, why they want to hire you instead of a German or European citizen.

This might have changed since then. Also, there are special IT Visas I think.

Defintely be sure to check things out. Also, make sure you like it there first, before you think about staying forever. It can be very stressful and quite a culture shock.

Answer 2

If you want to stay more than 90 days in Germany you need visa. You need to contact your local German Embassy in US, City?. Apply soon for the visa. If you want to get married in Germany, bring all your papers with you what you need. I think both need to go than to the US Embassy, Germany and fix the papers there. I hope I can help you with this little in formations. Good Luck for both.

Answer 3

no visa if less than 90 days

periods of more than 90 days:

a visa is to be obtained after entering Germany

if you are a skilled IT-worker you are maybe able to obtain a Green Card.

Germany offers consulary services in major cities of the US like NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, etc.;

Here is a list of German Consulates in the US:

http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/mi...

There is also a Germany Information Center in NYC:

maybe they are able to answer some more questions for you

(They answer your calls in German and English)

German Information Center

4645 Reservoir Road NW

Washington, DC, 20007-1998

Tel. [phone]

Fax [phone]

or

http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/mi...

marrying a foreigner turned out to be more difficult during the last years but I believe that Americans still have somekind of a bonus :)

I wish you the all the best and good luck!

Frank

Answer 4

See this site for Visa applications and information.

http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/co...

The interesting things is that US citizens generally have to submit their Visa application ***in Germany*** and in person. You enter on a 90 day tourist visa, then apply when you are there. See the previous government site for more information.

Information  on work permits can also be found at this site.

Answer 5

I went thru the same thing you are going thru. I moved to germany in 2000, i didn't get a visa prior to going there...I stayed there for almost a year.  I even found a job without a visa!  You can apply for the worker's visa once you're there. I got married over there after 8 months of living there, not to stay but because i was in love.  My laundry list included...quitting my job in the states, packing my bag, buying my plane ticket (it's cheaper to buy a roundtrip ticket), and having a farewell party!  ENJOY!!