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Your personal interview appointment at the US consulate is coming up soon. To help you prepare for your appointment, we will give you some tips on the exact procedure at the consulate as well as helpful hints so that you are well prepared for your appointment.
Regardless of which US consulate you have an appointment at, the procedures are usually relatively similar. Only the security regulations differ slightly.
Your appointment at the US Consulate has been booked. You can view the appointment confirmation in your customer account at any time.
Use the waiting time until the appointment to compile all the necessary documents for the day of the interview.
These include:
Be on time for your appointment at the US Consulate. It is sufficient to arrive at the building 15-30 minutes before your interview. Appointments usually take 1-3 hours. During the summer and winter months (peak travel season) you can expect longer waiting times. As the entrance area is not covered and the security check may take longer, you should definitely dress appropriately for the weather!
There is usually a large number of visa applicants, which means that the queue at the entrance to the US consulate may be very long. However, there is no need to worry if, for example, you have an appointment at 08:00 but are still waiting in line at 08:45. The time given is only an approximate time.
As a rule, your passport will be checked before the security check to see whether you have an appointment and whether you have all the necessary documents with you.
The security check itself is similar to the procedure at the airport with metal detectors, where your bags are checked.
Large bags, cell phones, smartwatches, headphones and other electronic devices are not permitted here. You are also not allowed to take drinks with you. Therefore, take as little as possible with you to the appointment and secure everything else in your car, hotel or in a locker in the area.
In some US consulates, such as Frankfurt/Main, Munich or Vienna, there is sometimes the option of locking up cell phones or car keys. In Berlin, on the other hand, the conditions are much stricter. Here you can lock your belongings in kiosks/bakeries nearby.
The consular facilities of the US authorities are subject to strict security rules - similar to those at airports. To expedite the security check at the consulate entrance, we recommend that you do not bring any items that are not required for the application process. Upon entering the security checkpoint, you must place all metal items as well as your jacket, belt, purse, etc. in a box for inspection.
The following items may not officially be brought into the building, otherwise access may be denied:
If you are applying together with your spouse/partner or your children, please note that you only need to take one number for all of you at the entrance or have it handed to you in order to be called together.
If you need diaper bags, baby food or important medication, please keep them in plastic containers and inform the security staff. Essential medical equipment may only be brought on request.
After the security check, you will be in the building and wait to be called. In some consulates, waiting numbers are also assigned according to which applicants are called.
The following next steps await you:
Hand in the following documents at this counter:
The consular employee will check your documents and the data you have submitted. You will then be seated again.
Additional documents may also be required, such as
If you have the applications of your child(ren) (under 14 years of age) with you, please also hand them in.
At this counter, a consular employee will record your fingerprints using an electronic scanner. If requested by the employee, please first place the 4 fingers of your right hand, the 4 fingers of your left hand and finally both thumbs on the scanner.
Note: Applicants who are required to submit a fingerprint and have a cut, blister or other temporary skin injury on their fingers may not receive a visa until the injury on their fingers has healed and the prints can be taken.
The officer will now ask you a series of questions, which usually relate to your entry intention and your planned length of stay.
As a rule, the interview is conducted in English. However, it can also be conducted in German, depending on the country in which the consulate is located. If there are any language problems, there is the possibility of bringing in German-speaking officials.
Questions during the interview
The consular officer will ask you a series of questions to verify your intentions and eligibility for the visa. The questions may concern the following:
Openness and honesty
Since the officials are usually under enormous time pressure, answer the questions you are asked as briefly and concisely as possible, without rambling explanations. It is also important to answer all questions truthfully and clearly.
The consular officers want to make sure that you will comply with the visa conditions.
Results of the interview
You will often receive an indication during the interview as to whether your visa will be approved. Your passport will be retained and sent to you (with the visa contained in it) after approx. 5-10 working days by a shipping service provider.
In rare exceptional cases, the official may request additional documents that you do not have with you at your appointment. Check whether you have these documents with you or offer to provide them to the official immediately. Please inform us immediately after the appointment.
Please understand that procedures at the US Consulate can change and are not static. This may result in deviations from the process described above.
Your passport will then be stored in the US Consulate or the US Embassy and, after a processing time of approx. 1 week, sent by post with the US visa (free of charge to a pick-up station or to your desired delivery address for a fee).
Your personal contact person will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Simply send us a message via your customer account.
We wish you every success with your visa application!
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