How do I apply for a US tourist visa from Berlin, and how long does it take?
First you fill in the online form and pay the fee, then you book an interview at the US consulate in Berlin. Appointments are usually available 1-2 weeks out, and your passport can come back a few days after the interview.
The application starts with the online form on the official US visa website. Once it is filled in, you pay the visa fee. The form is a bit confusing, so take your time.
Then you choose an interview date at the consulate. You can usually find one 1-2 weeks out, though this varies with the time of year.
On the day, the interview takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour, including the security check and the queue. For a tourist visa, it is important to show that you will come back rather than stay in the US. Your job, your residence permit or your home here can show this.
The passport has come back as little as 3 days after the interview. If the application needs extra checks, it can take longer.
Check the photo: a US visa photo must be square, 5x5 cm. A standard biometric photo from dm or Rossmann may not be this size. You can resize the photo on a computer and have it printed.
The US Embassy's official website has the current list of documents, the fees and the photo rules.
This information is based on community experience and is not legal advice. Rules can change; check important things with the responsible office.
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