UK Business Visa From Germany
German citizens who want to set up a business in the UK must apply for and meet the requirements for a Business Visa UK. The Business visa enables you to start, expand or carry out a business-related activity in the UK.
To learn more about the visa, including details about UK Business visa requirements from Germany, documents needed, visa cost and application process, contact our immigration specialists at Total Law. Call 0333 305 9375 or send a message online.
Who Needs a UK Business Visa?
If you are a German citizen, you may need to apply for a Business Visa for the UK from Germany depending on how long you want to stay and what you intend to do. German citizens don’t need to apply for a visa if they plan to stay in the UK for 6 months or less. You can attend business conferences, meet with a business partner or potential client and even survey the UK to see if it is a viable country for your business.
There are limits, however, when you enter the UK this way. You are regarded as a visitor and can only carry out unpaid work. You’ll also need to leave the UK once you have stayed up to 6 months. You’ll need to apply for an appropriate UK business visa to get more time to carry out business activities and earn from it. There are various UK Business visa types. See the options below for the one that suits your plans.
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Types of UK Business Visas
You can apply for the following Business visas, depending on your situation:
Innovator Founder Visa
German citizens can apply for the Innovator Founder visa to start a business in the UK. The company you intend to start must be innovative and new. Furthermore, before applying for this visa, you must show the Home Office that an eligible endorsing body has approved your business idea. You can live in the UK for 3 years, after which you can extend or settle permanently in the UK. If your visa is approved, you must meet with the endorsing body that approved your idea every 12 months. You have to show proof that your business is progressing. You can move to the UK with your family on this visa.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa is for Germans who are leaders or talents in their fields. You can also apply if you show promise as a potential talent or leader in your field. The fields considered in this application are digital technology, research and academia, and arts and culture. German citizens who want to apply for this visa must get approval from an eligible endorsing body in the UK. You can also apply for this visa if you have won an eligible award. With the Global Talent visa, you can live in the UK for up to 5 years. You can extend your stay or apply to settle in the UK permanently. While there is no strict requirement on what you can do with the Global Talent visa, you’ll need to set up a UK company in your field. You can also move to the UK with your family.
Global Business Mobility (UK Expansion Worker Visa)
You can move to the UK and set up a branch of your business already trading in Germany. To do this, you must be the German company’s owner, specialist employee or senior manager. You can stay in the UK for up to 12 months. It is possible to extend the visa for another 12 months. You can only spend 2 years in the UK on the UK Expansion Worker visa. You can also bring your family to the UK on this visa.
Eligibility Criteria for UK Business Visa
Here are the requirements for Business visa in the UK.
Innovator Founder Criteria
- You must be at least 18 to apply.
- You must prove that an endorsing body has approved your business idea.
- You must show you have enough money (£1,270) to cover living expenses in the UK.
- You must prove to the endorsing body that you have enough funds to start the business. You’ll also need to prove where the money is from.
- You must prove that your business idea is new, innovative, viable and scalable.
- You must have sufficient knowledge of the English language.
Global Talent Visa Criteria
- You must be at least 18.
- You must provide an endorsement letter.
- You must prove that you won an eligible award if you apply via the award route.
UK Expansion Worker Visa Criteria
- You must have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from the employer.
- You’ll need to prove you’ve worked for the employer in Germany for at least 12 months, except if you’re being paid up to £73,900 yearly.
- You must have a job that pays you the minimum salary requirement of £48,500 yearly.
- Your job must be on the approved occupations list.
UK Business Visa Application Process
To apply for the UK Business visa, you’ll need to do the following:
- Check the kind of Business visa that suits your immigration plans.
- Prepare your supporting documents.
- Get the endorsement letter, an eligible award or a certificate of sponsorship.
- Pay the required application fee online.
- Submit your application at the relevant portal on the Home Office website.
- Schedule biometric capture with TLScontact at Berlin, Dusseldorf or Munich.
- Attend your appointment with the visa application centre and submit your passport, fingerprints and photos. They will transmit them to the Home Office.
- Wait for 3 weeks for your application to be processed.
UK Business Visa Application Fees
Here are the UK Business visa fees:
- £1,357 for the Innovator Founder visa.
- £205 for the Global Talent visa.
- £340 for the UK Expansion Worker visa.
- £1035 as the healthcare surcharge for a year. You’ll have to pay this no matter the type of Business visa you’re applying for.
Sponsor Employees from Overseas
If you succeed in setting up a business in the UK, you can hire local UK employees or from overseas. However, if you want to hire from abroad, you must apply for and get a valid sponsor licence. This licence from the Home Office permits you to get foreign nationals to work for you in the UK. Without it, you’ll have to hire only UK citizens in your company.
How Can Total Law Help
Setting up a business is undoubtedly a herculean task, even in Germany, your home country. How much more when you are trying to do so in another country? It requires you to present many documents and pass through many legal processes, overwhelming many people. But you don’t have to do it alone. Total Law has a team of expert immigration consultants experienced in UK immigration, employment and business laws. With their help, you can scale through the daunting process of setting up a business in the UK.
Our consultants can provide the legal advice needed to set up a business. They can also help you assess your visa options, estimate the Business visa UK cost, gather your supporting documents and even make visa applications for you. At Total Law, we pride ourselves on error-free applications and high visa success rates. With our assistance, your dream of owning a thriving business in Europe’s largest market can come true.
For more information about what we do and guidance on obtaining a UK Business visa, call 0333 305 9375 or send a message online.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
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Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Home Office does not state a particular amount you need to have before setting up a business in the UK. However, you need to convince the endorsing bodies that you have enough money to start the company and that the source of the money is genuine.
You’ll need to have a visa before you can start a business in the UK.
