Processing time, fees and further details

Application approval and issuance of the DS-2019 takes approximately 8 weeks.

The wait time for an appointment and issuance of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa by a U.S Consulate in Germany takes approximately 5 to 10 days, and varies based upon the specific Consulate (Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin) as well as seasonal workloads.

Please be aware that the date printed on the DS-2019 is the date that an intern must begin the internship, meaning the intern must enter on or before the listed “start date.” Interns may enter no more than 7 days before the start of their internship. If an intern must enter after the date listed on the DS-2019, the GACC must be notified immediately.

Processing Fee

GACC Career Services requires a fee for the issuance of the DS-2019. Fees are determined based on the duration of the program and the Intern's academic status. Once a candidate's resume and application letter have been submitted a GACC representative will be able to give accurate fee information.

You can download a detailed list with our Visa fees here

Please note that all amounts are quoted in USD, you can pay by transferring money from your German bank account or by credit card. If you have any further questions regarding our Visa fees please contact an employee of the GACC New York Visa department.

Consulate Fees

The US Consulate in Germany charges a fee of 95 Euro for issuing of a J-1 Visa. Applicants for a J-1 visa have also to pay a SEVIS fee of $180. The SEVIS fee has to be paid as soon the DS-2019 is issued. You can find all further information regarding your VISA on the US Consulate website.