Schengen Visa through German embassy

[CRB 25]

Can anyone share their experience with the German embassy when applying for a Schengen visa.

My wife has an appointment at the Atlanta, GA embassy in 3 weeks. I want to make sure we have all the correct documents that we are asked to bring. I am specifically interested in what they want to see in regards to the invitation letter. We will be spending about a week at my parent's house and my mother will be writing a letter to state that.

Anything else to consider? How detailed is in the interview?

thank you

[Happytobe 164]

We went to the German Consulate in Los Angeles for my hubby's Schengen visa. His brother had a legal invitation letter signed and notarized, that he sent to us. We followed the instructions on the list of items needed from the website, and the interview was smooth.

[CRB 25]

Thank you for your reply

When you say "legal invitation letter", is that some formatted document, specifically for this p\purpose? If so, can you tell me where I can download a copy?

[Happytobe 164]

http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Visa.html Consulate page for Visa

http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Relatives__Friends__Visa.html Consulate page specifically for visiting friends/family

- invitation letter/official affidavit from your friends/relatives in Germany and one copy thereof together with a copy of their German ID or foreign passport.

The letter has to be signed and should state the names of inviter and invitee and the address in Germany where invitee will stay. Copy of the German ID should show the name and the current address of inviter.

Copies of the foreign passport should include ID page and the page showing the residence permit for Germany.

Please note: In individual cases, you may be required to provide additional documents.

I can't find ours, so I am not sure what the exact name of this document is, but your mother would obtain it from a legal source. It must be notarized and it is specific. I know there are offices in Germany that do this.

[Happytobe 164]

The one my brother-in-law sent was on a thicker, multi-colored pre-formatted form/document. I did a Google search to see if I could find an image of the one we were sent, but I could not see it and I had to get to work. If I have time when I get home, I will look further. Have a great day!

[Happytobe 164]

My husband says it is called a "Lodging Certificate" and can be obtained from the Interior Minister ie the government building that work with legal documents and passport things. Hopefully your parents will be somewhat familiar with that. It should be pretty easy for them to get. It should be under 20 Euros to obtain. There are only specific days of the week that the agency processes these documents. Best of luck, and enjoy your visit!

[CRB 25]

My husband says it is called a "Lodging Certificate" and can be obtained from the Interior Minister ie the government building that work with legal documents and passport things. Hopefully your parents will be somewhat familiar with that. It should be pretty easy for them to get. It should be under 20 Euros to obtain. There are only specific days of the week that the agency processes these documents. Best of luck, and enjoy your visit!

Thank you

I did find the document you told me about. It's multi colored, just as you described, but I wasn't able to find out where and when to get this. I talked to my parents, they are somewhat overwhelmed with what I'm talking about. It's all new to them.

So, I decided to write my own letter, send it to my parents and have them sign it and then have it notarized.

I had one more question, it might not apply to your situation. My wife doesn't have her green card yet. On the application it asks for " Residence in a country other than the country of current nationality"

I'm not sure how to answer that. She lives in the US, but without a green card she is really not considered a permanent resident yet.

Any suggestions?

[Happytobe 164]

http://www.schengentraveller.com/german-schengen-tourist/ under the FAQ's there is a notation on the invitation letter. Since your wife has applied for residency, If you are able, I would just write residency pending in US. They also told us that they are now asking that the travel insurance be for at least 1 week more than your intended trip, just in case things change and you have to stay longer. The Officer that interviewed my husband was very knowledgeable about the US immigration process & various LPR statuses.

[CRB 25]

Thanks for sharing your experiences

I extended my insurance by one week. I drafted a letter for my mother to get signed and notarized and I will bring the document that my wife needs to sign to confirm all the information she provided is correct to the best of her knowledge; not sure what it is called.

We did get the official notice of approval for AP yesterday, so now we have confirmation that she can leave and re-enter the US without problems.

I hope that covers it all. Then I can only hope that they'll approve and issue the visa withing 2 weeks, which is when we would like to leave.