Applying for a Visa for Summer Academy Berlin 2014--Updated March 3
Please note that the visa you have to be studying in the U.S. (F-1) must be valid for at least three
months beyond the end of your stay in Germany. If it is not, the Consulate will still consider your
application with a couple of extra requirements (see red text below).
Please make an appointment at the German Consulate in Chicago as soon as possible. We
recommend that you choose an appointment to occur during Spring Break (March 17-21) so you
can avoid missing classes at ISU.
Appointment information
Schedule your appointment with the Consulate in Chicago at this website:
https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_realmList.do?locationCode=chic&request_local
e=en
• Click “Continue” under Visa
• Click “Continue” under Business and Visitor’s Visa
• Click “Continue” again
• Click through the calendar and choose an appointment during Spring Break (March 17-21).
You will need to enter your last name, first name, e-mail address, country of citizenship, date of
birth, phone number, passport number, and a security code to make your appointment. You must
schedule your appointment with the Consulate in Chicago. You can’t apply at another Consulate
because Chicago is the only Consulate that serves Iowa.
Information online:
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__B
usiness__Visa.html
Required Document Checklist:
___ fully completed application form completed through VIDEX and then printed
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__V
isa__Form__Instructions.html
___ fully completed declaration
http://www.germany.info/contentblob/1965674/Daten/198760/Visa_Declaration.pdf
___ ___ two passport photographs (strict requirements, see details)
http://www.germany.info/contentblob/1965686/Daten/178573/Visa_Foto_Mustertafel_L.pdf
___ valid national passport that
1. is valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of the visa for which you are
applying
2. Contains at least two blank pages
3. Has been issued within the previous 10 years -- If it has been issued before that,
your passport can not be accepted. That even applies in cases where the validity
has been extended by the authorities of your home country.
___ one copy of the data page(s) of valid national passport
___ original valid US alien registration card or valid US resident visa (type A, E, F plus
endorsed I-20, G, H, I, J plus J1 documents, L, O, R)
___ one copy of valid US alien registration card or valid US resident visa (type A, E, F plus
endorsed I-20, G, H, I, J plus J1 documents, L, O, R)
___ current bank statements from the previous three months to prove you have at least
$800-$1000 per month to support yourself
___ one copy each of current bank statements from the previous three months
___ confirmation letter from your health insurance stating coverage for emergency medical,
hospitalization and repatriation with a minimum of 30,000 Euros (equiv. US $50,000)
for trips outside the US (will be supplied to you by the CISI insurance company via
e-mail)
___ copy of insurance confirmation letter
___ original letter of acceptance of a German university/language school/college (will be
faxed by Beuth Hochscule to Chicago)
___ one copy of letter of acceptance of a German university/language school/college (will
be supplied to you as a PDF soon)
___ original student status and copy of letter from Iowa State University signed by the Dean
of the College of Design (will be supplied to you by Erin French)
___ copy of letter from Iowa State University signed by the Dean of the College of Design
___ proof of airline reservation NEW March 3: must be from Berlin to your home country
IF your F-1 visa is valid for less than three months after the end of the program
___ copy of airline reservation
___ your original Iowa driver’s license and/or original utility bill and (City of Ames or
gas bill, etc.) in your name as proof of residence in the consular district where
you plan to apply
___ copy of your original Iowa driver’s license and/or utility bill
NEW March 3: ___ proof of appointment with a Consulate in your home country for F-1 visa
renewal IF your F-1 visa is valid for less than three months after the end of the program
___ copy of that proof
If you will travel before and after the official program dates (May 25-June 29)
___ proof of hotel reservations
___ copy of hotel reservations
Visa Fee (all applications)
___ visa fee of $92.00 (see below for additional fee information)
___ additional fee of $20.00 if you want your passport mailed back (otherwise, you will
need to go to Chicago a second time to pick it up) (see below for additional info)
After you compile all of your documents, please make an appointment with Erin to have her
review them. Her review does not guarantee your visa will be issued. E-mail to schedule an
appointment at [email protected]. Please note: In individual cases, you may be required to
provide additional documents.
Consulate Contact Details
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
676 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 202 0480
Fax:
(312) 202 0466
The Consulate can be reached by almost all bus lines which head to Downtown Chicago as well
as by subway (Red Line). The nearest Red Line stations are Chicago and Grand. Parking
facilities are available on West Huron Street, 2 blocks west from the Consulate's building.
Visa fee information
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__V
isa__Fee.html
Fees are payable by cash or money order only. Checks or credit cards are not accepted.
Fees could be subject to change between now and the time your application is made. Double
check right before your appointment to make sure the fee is the same.
If you are paying just the study visa fee, the total is $92.00. If you are paying the study visa fee
and return postage, the total is $112.00 ($92.00 + $20.00).
There is a possibility the fee will be waived for you, but the German university needs to request
that. We will keep you updated.
Visa Application Form Information
Most of the VIDEX application is self-explanatory, but contact Erin ([email protected]) if you
have any questions. Below is what you should fill in on some of the more confusing questions.
Type of travel document: 01 – Ordinary Passport
Residence in a country other than the country of current nationality: Yes
Type of residence permit: F-1 visa
Number: Control number on your F-1 visa
Valid until: F-1 visa expiration date (yyyy-dd-mm)
Occupation: 31 – Student, Trainee
Main purpose of the journey: 01 – Business
Number of entries requested: multiple
Type of entry permit: residence permit
Number of entry permit: Control number on your F-1 visa
Final country of destination: USA – United States
Issued by: Issuing post name
Valid until: F-1 visa expiration date (yyyy-dd-mm)
Type of reference: Inviting organisation/company
Name of organization, company or hotel: Beuth Hochschule für Technik
Organization’s place of business (town/city): Berlin
Organization’s place of business (country): DEU-Germany
Organization’s objectives/area of activity: 10-Education
Name of register in which the organization is registered: Leave blank
Location of register: Leave blank
Registration number: Leave blank
Surname of reference person: Hasselmann
First name of reference person: Willi
Date of birth: 1948-08-06
Street: Luxemburger Str.
House number: 10
Postal code: 13 353
City: Berlin
Country: DEU – Germany
Telephone number: +49 30-4504-2582
E-mail address: [email protected]
Hotel reservation number: N/A
Cost of travelling and living during the applicant's stay is covered:
by the applicant himself/herself
Means of support: Cash Credit card
Your sponsor is not different than your reference, so you don’t need to fill anything in on the last
section of the application form.