u/Abject_Ad_8746

Hey everyone, looking for some recent experiences with the German Consulate in Chicago, especially for national employment/internship visas.
I had my appointment on July 29 for a national visa for an internship in Germany. The appointment was straightforward. They took my documents and passport and didn’t really ask me any interview questions.
I already had travel health insurance for the first ~90 days, but they asked me to extend it for the rest of my stay. I purchased the additional coverage and submitted it on August 3. The consulate has since confirmed that my application is “in processing status,” but they said they can’t provide an ETA.
My passport is still with them and I have upcoming international travel, so the uncertainty is getting difficult. My internship is also coming up very soon.
For anyone who recently applied in Chicago for a German national visa (especially employment/internship):
How long did it take after your application was complete to get a decision?
How long after approval did they mail your passport back?
Did your status stay “processing” until the passport was suddenly shipped?
If ZAV/Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval was involved, did that noticeably delay things?
Would especially appreciate experiences from people who applied in July/August 2026, but any recent Chicago timelines would help.

Hi everyone, I’m a Pakistani citizen currently studying in the US on F-1 status, and I have a paid, full-time internship in Germany. My current contract starts on August 1, but the earliest national visa appointment I could get at the German Consulate in Chicago is July 29.
From what I understand, my case likely falls under the study-related internship visa under §16e AufenthG (Studienbezogenes Praktikum EU). My employer has also started the Federal Employment Agency/ZAV approval process, but I am still waiting for the final approval document.
I am trying to make sure I follow the correct process and do not arrive at the appointment with anything missing. Could someone familiar with this visa explain the exact steps?
Should I also submit an application through the Consular Services Portal before my in-person appointment, or is the appointment application enough? Which exact category should I choose online for a §16e internship?
Does the final ZAV/Federal Employment Agency approval need to be issued before the appointment, or can it be submitted afterward while the application is being processed?
Apart from my passport, US visa and I-20, internship contract, enrollment certificate, transcript, university-signed internship form, insurance and financial proof, are there any other important documents normally required?
My employer may move my starting date because getting the visa by August 1 seems unrealistic. If the dates change, would I need an updated contract, ZAV approval and university form before attending the appointment?
I would really appreciate a clear step-by-step explanation from anyone who has completed this process through a German consulate in the US. Thanks!