I am a German Citizen. I have to get my Beibehaltungsbeschluss and had a very friendly Frau Bauer on the phone. She was very helpful and polite. When you call the "normal" front office you will get people who seems to be rude. But a bit of that is the German government worker mentality. For me it is normal. Do not ask question you could answer by reading the website or your letter correct. LOL. This treatment feels like home.....
I got my schengen visa through this embassy. It was not a pleasant or easy experience. They have extremely poor instructions online. The first time around I had everything listed as required documents with me. However, they asked me to come back with proof of stay for every single night of a 16 day trip despite this not being a listed requirement!
All the security staff were polite and nice but the consulate officer (a lady) was rough and impolite. I did get cleared the second time around but all in all a really inefficient and inconsiderate process.
The consulate (passport/visa/etc. issuing office) opens before the actual embassy, and if your appointment is the first one (at 8am) then the earliest you can get in is 7:45. It's street parking, but there were no issues there on a Wednesday morning.
You can pay for the photo booth via credit card, and the pictures come out right away. My person was super friendly and informative, so no drama there. Make sure you have everything they tell you to bring though - I doubt they have much patience for folks rolling in unprepared.
I didn't print out the confirmation of my appointment, and while I was ok, I would suggest doing so just in case.
I had a great experience applying for Schengen visa...
The staff is super nice and very efficient... Everybody from the security to visa application were very kind people...
The embassy is perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen in DC.. Very modern and classy!!
I was a little apprehensive about the parking situation but there are always many free spots available right outside the embassy... [I believe the sign said, three hour parking]
Make sure that you carry cash for Visa application [wherever applicable], otherwise you may have to brave a 1/2 mile walk to the CVS by the reservoir
Danke Schon DE embassy staff :)!!
Beautiful embassy and grounds. The architecture style is modern and the landscape architecture is nicely maintained. Friendly staff.
Tried to get some information about Business Visa as appointments shown in the Online system were about a month away, no one answers the phone, left many VMs, no response for that either.
Also left a note from "Contact", no response. The response from this consulate is really really bad.
We had a great experience here. Embassies are serious places, but we were treated with friendliness and courtesy for our visa appointment, from the men at the gates and security to the person processing our paperwork and the staff who provided our children with interesting coloring books. In addition, the grounds and building are quite beautiful and distinct, and there is plenty of shaded street parking at no cost.
I am not sure if it is by luck or if that is the case for everyone but they were very rude to me. They ordered me what to do and what not to do in a rude way and took all the chance to judge me on every single little thing i did. When i called them to ask information they hanged up to my face as i was thanking them. It was the most annoying consulate experience.
As an additional info, you are allowed to enter with your bags however you need to put your phone in the locker that they give you.
If you do not have the visa money there is a wallgreens down the street to get a cashback.
Also the turning fancy railing door is the exit not the entrance.
I spoke with a woman on the phone trying to set up my employment visa appointment. While I was trying to explain to her my situation and what I needed she gave me false information. When I was trying to clarify she got angry and yelled at me for interrupting her. She then proceeded to call me rude and hang up on me. I swear I wasn't trying to be confrontational I was just talking trying to explain to her what I needed and she kept getting angrier with me. Now I don't know what to do because I really needed my employment visa by a certain day since I will be leaving for Germany in 2 months for a job I have gotten there and every time I call back I get the same lady and every time she is just rude and doesn't listen to me. It is very frustrating.
Very nice staff. I really don't understand why ppl. saying they was rude? They are NOT rude and I went there two times and never had anybody been rude.
We scheduled a visit to get a "Beglaubigung" for a case that was notarized in Germany. The check-in at the embassy was friendly, fast and efficient. And so was the official "act"inside. The staff was very friendly and the explanations were detailed but not overwhelming. Overall a very good experience.
Very efficient, friendly and helpful staff. If you have the required paperwork (which can easily be found online) you'll be in and out in no time. Photo booth in the waiting area of the Consular section for your passport pictures. $5 for 4 pictures. Very convenient.
If u wanna a tourist visa, go another European embassy.
Most pleasant experience. I applied for Tourism visa, the person who interview me was so nice. I forget to take 3 month bank statement and he asked me to submit by email. I did it overnight and my visa arrived the third day by express mail. Great service!!
I experienced the people working at the consulate in DC as a disgrace for Germany. To call them "rude" is an understatement. Waiting at the consulate, we had to watch decent-looking people being yelled at and being insulted in front of us, a couple before us left the embassy crying. We were then treated with utmost disrespect, offense, and racism, were given wrong information, were wrongly accused of a whole range of made-up offenses, basically we were treated like scum. Application material was not even looked at, we were just accused of having an incomplete application although we had everything and were not allowed to hand over our documents. This consulate damages Germany's reputation in the world every day, a foreign policy liability imho.
Friendly and professional service. Photo service for Schengen visa is available inside. Read all instructions from Embassy's website carefully before visit and everything will be fine.
Very nice, we were treated nice from the front desk to the counter. The security lady was very nice, listened to our request, invited us in after a short consultation. There we came directly, were also treated very nice. In no way can I apply the negative comments to our visit. Of course, there is not always the same staff there. All of us were very nice.
I had a time appointment in the passport department of the German Embassy, Washington, D.C., to apply for a new passport. Although nobody was in front of me, I had to wait.
Finally called, I took a seat in front of the glass, behind which, as it turned out, was a very unfriendly lady. She spoke very softly into the microphone, so that I could hardly understand her. At my request, but a little louder to speak, she looked at me angrily and remarked: "Why do not you understand me!" And when everything was signed and paid for, the lady behind the window said: "Go now !!!"
No nice experience with German friendliness or maybe better expressed:
again the notorious German unfriendliness and arrogance.
Went there for the EU Open House! Very transparent, a very friendly. I hope this is the service level they provide on a day to day basis. The offers during the open house were very informative and fun at the same time - the German French Beer garden was a blast!
No one ever calls back
They do not even email back
Dealing with the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington DC has been my worst humilitating as well as frustrating experience ever! They say they are open, it is posted on their website, you get sent away because for no reason they were closed on 9-3-15. Sucks for me who took the day off from work to get my signature notarized and drove 3 hours one way to get there! Also, have fun calling them, they have a nice menu with lots of options, the only problem is, no matter what selection you press, nobody EVER picks up. I tried calling for passport appointment for my 4 children so we only have to make one trip, after a couple of months of calling and about 10 emails I gave up.
The most unprofessional, illitrate, rude and disgusting people. I was wondering if anybody is supervising these people for their poor work and their behaviour! Shame on Germany for hiring these people who refuse to even give their names!
Because I was only planning to stay less than 8 hours inside Germany during my transit at Munich, I called the embassy to make sure I need a hotel reservation. The person who answered the phone told me I don't need a hotel reservation. But when I turned up for the visa interview I was told I need one. I couldn't reschedule an appointment because no appointments were available before my departure. As a Sri Lanka citizen with a US F1 visa on my passport, I cannot stay overnight at international transit area. So, I had to change my flight at an extra cost because of this false information. Even though the consular office seems to be a well-organized place, its information line is terrible and the whole quality of service is marred by it.
I renewed my Passport. You can only do this by making an appointment online first. Parking is available in the building. The office is very small and you need to sign in with the receptionist first Everything went smooth since I had all my documents in order and biometric passport pictures made in Germany.
I did not give 5 Stars because I am used to German punctuality and they kept me waiting until I went and voiced my concern.
Most pleasant experience, plus the typical German efficiency. They take the time to explain and suggest, never seen that sort of customer service experience when living in Germany. Thanks!
Some of the nastiest people I have ever met. Extremely rude.
On Labor Day weekend I was denied boarding the plane for my trip to Germany regarding a family emergency. To be on the safe side I had contacted the German Embassy 2 days prior and was assured I had all the necessary documents to be allowed entry into Germany. I ended up calling the German Embassy emergency phone number on 9/6/2020 for additional assistance and spoke with Michelle Hennings. Even though I am not a German citizen, Ms Hennings was very helpful and emailed me additional documents to insure my being allowed to board. I want to thank Ms Hennings again for her assistance, understanding and compassion which made my life a little easier during a very difficult time.
Very friendly, very professional even now in the difficult times with Corona.
I have experienced the best professional assistance possible.they ent way out of their responsibilities to assist me. they were friendly and courteous ; they also made me feel that i can bring any concerns .
Always have a great experience there. Be it for passport renewal or other matters.
Their website does not have an updated, easy to find checklist of the documents you need to bring for a Schengen visa appointment. When you show up if you are missing ONE single thing on the checklist, they will not even let you explain - they are very square about it. Make sure you go to the Embassy beforehand and get that checklist from the guard at the main entrance and bring 2 copies of each document to your appointment.
I went an appointment on 3/27/2018... well have 2 ladies sit at the window take al the paper 1 just really nice and kind and one just look like she don t want to work wasn t nice at all.. by the way people can be must not understood but she need to explain and be patient or listen more.. no body know everything. Seen 2 lady before me on the line and was upset and asked question but she don t want to explain anything... and that happen to me the same things try to ask but only things she say I don t understand what you say, well cause not listen and throw paper back... even tho I said please look at the paper and she act like **** and said where I can t see well you not take a look at all... my opinion that lady shouldn t work there if give peoples walk in and give attitude if she not happy to give service then please quit..
they are soon terrible! they ruin everything for me!!! I had an appointment before and because I booked one date wrong the lady there refused me but she forgot to remove my name from system so I never can book another appointment anymore. I tried so hard to call to email them thousands times and on one reply or answer. I should meet my mom in Germany this winter and all our flight tickets and hotel just totally be ruined, we lost over at least 3000 dollars in total! But that just because that lady forget to remove my name from system and no one check their email! What a shame!!! Never want to go Germany, awful experience ever!!!
I live in SoCal where the Los Angeles (local) consulate was in construction. The website told us to make appointment in these 5 missions: Houston, Miami, Washington, Chicago and Boston. I called the local consulate to check if I can make appointment here in Washington and the answer was yes. But what happened was they canceled my appointment. Phone is directed to voice mail and email response is slow af. They messed up my summer trip, I even wasted my roundtrip ticket.
Consulate service: extremely rude personnel and poor online instructions. The website provides a list of needed documents, yet once there they informed me of a missing document that's not even listed as needed. Word to the wise, call before you go and verify needed documentation. Also, basic courtesy should be part of their training.
I don t understand why they don t pick up the phone they represent Germany
The least flexible consular staff with no compassion or basic decency. If you need a Schengen visa, do yourself a favor and pick another EU country to travel to. I was turned away at my visa intreview due to having used an older version of the application form (which was because their new online version was only compatible with Windows 7 and did not work on any newer Windows versions!). They refused to accomodate me, or at least give me another appointmnet early enough to make it to my friend's wedding and also not lose the $$$ I had spent on bookings. I called the embassy again later in an attempt to get another appointment, only to get the same answer. The woman eventually just hung up the phone on me. Bunch of previledged people, mistreating you just because you weren't lucky enough to own a white people's passport that allows you to travel visa-free.
This is the wrong address!!!!!! There is nothing here I lost my appointment because Google had the wrong location. The German embassy refused to see me after I told them this.
absolutely awful,no support from our country,what a shame
There isn't a way to score below a star because that is what I would do. These are the rudest people I have ever experienced. I took my grandmother there to renew her passport and needless to say the receptionist was of no help and would not get someone who could help!!! God I wish people were not so crude and stupid.
I'm not sure if it was just the lady who processed our application or it is their standard operating procedure but the treatment was insulting and intimidating for no reason at all although our visas were granted as she find no grounds for refusal. Just be ready to swallow your pride and ignore the rudeness.
I gotta say this is probably one of the best/most efficient consulate experiences I've ever had (and I've been to a few). The consular officer was very straight to the point (some people may think 'rude', but I thought efficient), and seemed nice. She even smiled once. The consulate even responded to my emails, which is almost unheard of. My experience was very smooth.
I wrote a emails 3weeks ago, I didn't got a answer so I resend it a week ago, still didn't got a answer. So I called today, I had someone on the phone for 2sec, it sounded like she talked to someone else, I said "hello?" And the lady said "please hold on" and hanged up. I called back twice and now nobody answers the phone.
Very Rude and who accepts only cash in this day and age??? I didnt have cash so they rejected my application. My travel is in the next two weeks but I am getting the next appointment only after two weeks. The people representing Germany in the US are so rude that it has created a negative image about the country in my mind and I maybe wrong, but seeing how inflexible their rules and people are I am not looking forward to traveling there any time soon. I have cancelled my tickets.
I had to call the German Embassy in Washington, DC regarding a family emergency. I spoke with 2 different embassy employees and was very impressed by their courtesy, demeanor and helpfulness. All my questions, and there were many, were answered in detail and I never had the feeling that either one of the employees was ready to end the conversation. The Embassy can be proud of the way these two employees represented their country!
No one answers the phone
They put you in hold like forever
Wow, what a helpful team at the German embassy. My wife and I just went to their open office hours (Monday 1-3pm) to ask about citizenship questions, and they were so friendly and helpful.
Expecting well....a German experience, we were blown away by the friendliness of the staff and walked away very excited to continue working with them to get a few big things done. I lived in Wuppertal Germany (where my wife is from) and comparatively that Visa office was a zoo! The embassy here was so nice and open we were shocked.
The only tip I'd say is just make an appointment. While their website said they had citizenship open hours on Monday and Friday, the office seemed confused by this. They were still very happy to help, but they were looking for an appointment first and foremost.
The woman who helped us was so great and even gave us her name to follow up on future fillings. We're at the point where we would much rather deal with them than filing anything when we're in Germany!
US-Vasallen.I.am.born.in.theGermanDemokratik.republic!
For people who commented below because of the visa lady's rudeness. Here is a good news for you, it looks to me their visa lady has changed, I called the embassy today since I have a visa concerns for my travel to Munich this summer. I remember 2 years ago, when I was going to German embassy to apply for visa for schools the lady was rude to me on the phone but also while talking to me in the Embassy, she was acting really arrogant that makes me uncomfortable (I still respect her because it looks like she is able to organize everything well, despite I don't really like her, the only time I have a good conversation with her was that I spoke to her with some German languages and she was like very happy about it.....lol). The new one is very police and patient while I was talking on the phone today and she will be very happy if you can talk a little bit German to her too.
Very rude, specially one particular lady. Someone said that she is gone but apparently she is back. She rejected my visa since I did not have my current employer visa stamping on my passport even though I have valid visa stamping through my previous employer until mid 2019, more that 3 months. I had checked with my attorney and 100s of blog that it is not the rule to get current employer stamping. How come it is their concern, if US does not let me enter based on their logic then I will be sent back to my home country and not even to Germany. They just make up rules and harass people. If it is my power then I would have filed a lawsuit against them.
Rude. Abrupt. Unprofessional. She decided she knew what I was going to say so she didn't have to let me finish my question. Must be psychic also.
Quite a positive experience last week for a Business Schengen Visa - Very professional, prompt & helpful. The visa officer was also very patient with answering some of my questions. Just be respectful & make sure you have all the documents in the order specified in the checklist they hand you while entering the office & you will be just fine.
It would be nice if someone could actually answer the phone. My experience there overall was a bit stressful.. But overall okay. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER THE PHONE. Thank you.
Extremely helpful staff. Very attentive to detail and overall excellent service
I am german trying to renew my passport with absolutely no success of getting anybody to even answering the phone, years ago i got somebody to answer the phone after trying for month , i had the misfortune to meet the rudest bunch of people on the phone ,ever , i had my passport renewed in germany instead, now you can no longer do that , you have to renew where you live, so here i am dealing with the same problem again. I will change my citizens ship to American for that reason alone if i have too. I want to know , where i can comlplain, something has to change with their staff, does anybody know where to go ?
Great experience! They were quick and efficient! Getting in is always a bit of a hassle but so be it!
Good experience. Just bring all your paperwork as required per their website and don't be too early (15 minutes max.) or too late and everything will be fine. I had to deal with a proxy as the regular person was out sick, but it was a pleasant experience. A couple of IT issues took about 5-10 minutes to fix, but I was in and out in about 25 minutes.
I spoke to the rudest person I've ever talked to when calling the embassy. Literally the rudest person I've ever talked to, in my entire life. Just wow.
I can say nothing but positive things about the Embassy employees. I am not a German National, but my mother was born in Berlin, Germany and I grew up there for 6 years. I was looking on the Embassy website and there was this button that said "ask a question" so I went into great detail about my mothers family and that we were planning a trip to Berlin, and I wanted to visit their graves. One of the embassy employees by the name of Susann Crivelli contacted me via email and gave great effort to give me assistance and went the extra mile for me. She did not have to do this, but did. I have a very good friend with the State Department that was amazed that I did get this assistance and that she did this for no other reason then out of kindness to an American whose mother was born and raised in Berlin, during WWII, and her daughter who lived in Berlin for 6 years and was on a journey to find her past. Mrs. Susann Crivelli was amazing, and I will forever be grateful to her for the kindness that she gave me, as well as answers to my past that I needed so very badly. Thank you Mrs. Crivelli, you are an amazing woman.
Currently closed for construction. Located at 2300 M St NW now.
Extremely rude and bureaucratic. Although I had an appointment, they made me wait for 15 min outside the main gate with a toddler and a 1 year old in my arms. Once I entered, the person processing my son's passport application wanted to send me away because I didn't have the correct photograph with me, which they explicitly said on their website you can take inside their office (they have special measurements). When I refused to leave (and they refused to help) and especially since I had booked 2 appointments for this reason, I managed to take the picture of my 1 year old inside their office in the photo booth, only to find out that they proceeded to withdraw my German citizenship because I didn't know that I had to inform the embassy in advance of applying for the American citizenship. Granted, it was my mistake, but the way they talked to me, how this all happened and how rude these supposedly professionals were to me was incredible. I'm not the kind of person that cries in public, but today I left the embassy with tears streaming down my face.
I was looking forward to the open house at the German Embassy today.
Unfortunately I was very disappointed in many things:
The first thing that was upsetting was being pinched very hard on my underarm by a woman that works there, because she thought I was going in the wrong direction. They didn't have handicapped facilities available so I was waiting to be escorted up 4 flights on the elevator.
She didn't speak to me until after she grabbed me. I believe that is assault.
The second being the food - I still feel ill from it 9 hours later.
I had to wait a half an hour at my table before the order was taken - and that only happened because I finally caught up with the waiter and asked him to please take my order.
The Black Forest cake was chocolate mouse with raspberry jelly. Did they change the recipe?
Both went in the trash. $30.00.
I was also taken back by the starkness and ugliness of the building. My fond memories of Germany were of fairytale architecture and delicious food with wonderful tastes and smells.
I don't know what I was experiencing, but if I hadn't seen the signs that said it was The German Embassy, I would never have guessed it.
Was the staff rude? Sure, by most standards. That is typical in my experience - crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, like a good German brotschen. I could write that off if the rest of the experience wasn't so bad.
Can't think of any reason to go back or recommend it. Heartbreaking.
Only visa applicant can get in the building. I waited 2 hours outside for my husband.
If I only knew, I could stay home.
i was at the german embassy today in Washington DC
i was very surprised how helpful the lady at the embassy was
i was treated more than fair
she went beyond and above to help me out
i can not thank you enough
the embassy of my own country has not treated me this well
Worst experience. I called this embassy to find out some information about transit visa. I understand that information is available on their website. After going through the website, I had only one question. Hence I called this embassy. Some lady picked up the phone and without listening to what I am going to ask, she says "You are calling from Texas". I said "No, I am calling from Ohio". She said please contact Chicago embassy and they will answer your question. Fine. I tried Chicago embassy several times but they did not respond my phone calls. I needed to have answer to my question because otherwise I would have to cancel my existing ticket. So I called this embassy again, the same lady picked up the phone. She was so rude on the phone. She did not let me finish my question and told me "We speak on the phone earlier". I told "yes, I tried contacting Chicago embassy but nobody is responding. This is a general question!". She said "If it is general question go online" and hung up the phone.
Respected maam, I know you are very knowledgeable but if you do not want to help people please stop this phone line. FYI: I am engineer and know how to browse internet and where to look for. I will never call you again!!! I know you are busy!!!
Thanks for your rudeness!!! Hope we never talk again!!!
Have applied for a Germany visa here twice. Both times I had a good experience. Just have everything they ask for
Hi all, i have booked a flight from india to US via frankfurt, Munich to Detroit.
do i need a Transit Visa? i hold a valid US Visa.
please help me with best sollution.
HONEST .... everything you read on your site is something about the Holocaust ?? No wonder that the Americans still compare us to Nazis
Bureaucrats. German bureaucracy at its finest. I just don't get it why it is so difficult to show some respect and courtesy to the customers. The staff in the visa department is arrogant and rude. Unfortunately I had to get a visa (job) - but never again.
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