Business Visitor Visa UK from Germany

German citizens are allowed to visit the UK visa-free and stay for up to 6 months. Under new rules, they will need an ETA. However, if you reside in Germany and you’re neither a German citizen nor a citizen of the EU member states and also not a citizen of the countries included on the visa exemptions, then you must obtain a UK Business Visit visa to enter the country.

The UK Business Visit visa is valid for 6 months and it’s classed under the Standard Visitor visa. You will not be allowed to do paid work with this visa unless you’ll be paid for permitted engagement by a UK organisation because you’re an expert in your field. Note that you can apply for a long-term Visitor visa (from 2 to 10 years, letting you stay for 6 months per visit) if you need to visit the UK regularly for business meetings.

Page Contents

• Visit UK for Business
• When You Need an ETA or Business Visitor Visa
• Eligibility Requirements for UK Business Visitor Visa
• Required Documents for Business Visitor Visa
• Application Process for UK Business Visitor Visa
• Business Visitor Visa Application Fees and Processing Time
• Permitted Activities on UK Business Visitor Visas
• Multiple-Trip Visitor Visa For Frequent UK Business Trips
• Providing Evidence of Strong Ties to Germany
• Avoiding Common Mistakes in Business Visitor Visa Application
• Keeping Records & Following Rules After Your Visit
• Evidence for Self-Employed People
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Do people who live in Germany need an ETA or a Business Visitor Visa?

It can be challenging to determine whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a visa, or no authorisation at all when planning a short business trip from Germany to the UK.  It matters less where you live and more what country your passport says you are from.

Since the UK ETA became effective on 8 January 2025, all visitors to the UK will require either an ETA or a Visitor visa to enter the UK for visits. Under previous rules, German citizens could travel to the UK with their passports, serving as sole proof of permission. Since the rule change, German citizens must apply for an ETA to visit the UK.

People from Germany who hold passports from other countries, such as India, Turkey, or China, are not automatically exempt from requiring a visa.  Many individuals will still require a Standard Visitor Visa, but those from countries participating in the ETA scheme may be eligible for the cheaper and faster ETA instead.

What is the ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is an electronic pre-approval that allows people who don’t require a visa to visit the UK for short trips. You must apply before travelling, but it is not a visa. An ETA is required for visits of 6 months or less, regardless of your reason for visiting, whether as a tourist, family visitor, academic, or business visitor.

Applying for an ETA involves filling out an online form, uploading a photograph for biometric purposes, providing your passport number, and receiving an email confirmation.  When you arrive at the border, your passport is scanned, and the ETA is displayed in the UK Border Force system.

If you live in Germany but are not a German citizen, don’t assume that your residency status means you are visa-exempt.  If you are from a country that is part of the ETA scheme, you don’t need a Visitor visa.

• ETA costs £16 per person (paid online).
• Processing typically takes a few days, but can sometimes be completed in just a few minutes.
• You can visit multiple times for up to six months, for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

German residents seeking a Business trip UK visa as Business visitors must meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid international passport
• Have a round-trip flight ticket to indicate your plan to leave the UK when your visa expires
• Have no intention to indulge in prohibited activities in the UK
• Prove that your aim of entering the country is business-related
• Prove that you’re financially buoyant to cater for your needs
• Not intend to make the UK your primary residence or reside in the country for long due to regular visits via this visa

German residents must provide the following documents to apply for a UK Business Visitor visa:

• Valid international passport (depending on the passport you hold)
• Information of your last 10 years of travel and immigration history, if needed
• Proof of employment, such as a work contract or employment letter
• Details of your UK employer
• Business certificate to show you run your business (if you’re self-employed)
• Proof of what you will do when you enter the UK, such as documents confirming appointments, meetings and other business-related activities
• Round-trip flight ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Evidence of accommodation in the UK
• Verification of legal residence. For applicants applying from countries other than their home country

All documents must be in English or Welsh. Note that you may be required to provide additional documents depending on your situation.

Therefore you must reach out to one of our immigration lawyers at Total Law to assess your case and streamline all the documents you need to apply for the UK Business Visitor visa.

Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or complete our online contact form for immediate response.

German residents applying for a UK Business visitor visa must pay £127 to carry out business-related activities in the UK for 6 months (short-term stay).

But if you want to get a long-term Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK regularly for 2, 5, or 10 years, the application fee you must pay is £475, £848 or £1059 respectively.

It typically takes about 3 weeks for a decision to be made on your UK Business Visitor visa application.

German residents who hold a UK Business visit visa can carry out the following activities in the UK:

• Attend conferences, interviews, meetings or seminars
• Visit sites and carry out inspections
• Negotiate and sign contracts along with deals
• Get information for their overseas employment
• Attend trade fairs only for promotional work and not for direct sales
• Be advised on the demands of a UK-based client, provided all works for the client are done overseas
• Have speeches, one-off or short talk series, provided it wasn’t organised to generate money for the organiser

Note that you can carry out several other activities on the Business Visitor visa UK. Reach out to our immigration lawyers at Total Law for more information.

Multiple-Trip Visitor Visa For Frequent UK Business Trips

The Standard Visitor route in the UK is for short, specific trips, such as attending meetings, conferences, or signing contracts.  Visitors can usually stay for up to six months at a time, but they cannot extend their stay beyond that time for business reasons.

If you frequently travel to the UK for short business trips, consider applying for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that lasts for 2, 5, or 10 years. You can enter the country more than once with these visas, but your stay is limited to a maximum of six months at a time.  A long-term visa does not permit you to stay longer; it simply means you do not have to apply for it for subsequent visits.

The Home Office may pay extra attention to visits that are lengthy or occur frequently.  Border guards may question whether you are truly “visiting” the UK if you often return for short visits.  To avoid issues, demonstrate that you have strong ties to Germany, such as:

• A job or business that you conduct regularly
• A lease or mortgage for a home
• Family or dependents living in Germany

If you genuinely need to work or live in the UK, do not rely on visitor permissions. Instead, consider applying for a work or business immigration route that suits your needs, such as the Skilled Worker visa or the Global Business Mobility route.

Evidence of Strong Ties to Germany & Crossing Borders for Business Visitors

Businesspeople who do not need a visa should still be prepared to answer questions at the UK border. Border officers will want to know what you are doing is allowed for visitors and that you will leave the UK after your trip. To prove your intentions as a visitor, it is best to bring:

• A ticket for a return trip or onward trip, and proof of where you will stay
• A letter from the UK company or event host inviting you and explaining why you are coming, and how long you will be there
• Proof of funds, such as recent bank statements or a letter from your boss saying they will pay for things
• Proof of residency in Germany, such as a registration certificate, residence permit, or employment contract.

Businesspeople from Germany who do not require a visa may still be subject to questioning upon arrival.  Having your papers in order lowers the chance of a delay or refusal.

At the Border

Many EU passports, including German ones, can be used at UK airports’ eGates.  eGates keep track of your entry electronically.  The same rules for visitors still apply: no paid or regular work and a maximum stay of six months.

Avoiding Common Mistakes Made by People Applying to Visit the UK from Germany

The process for visitors appears straightforward, but many people make minor mistakes that can cause issues.  Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Living in Germany doesn’t mean you won’t need a visa.  Before you go, always check if you need the ETA or the Visitor visa.
• Applying too soon or too late. You can apply up to three months before your planned visit.  If you apply too early, your application will not be valid. If you apply too close to your travel date, your application may take longer to process.
• Weak proof of “genuine visitor” intent. People who wish to visit the UK must demonstrate that they intend to leave after their stay.  You should show that you have strong ties to Germany through your job, home, family, or tax records.
• Mixing up “permitted paid engagement” with regular work. Under Paid Engagement rules, some professionals invited to the UK, such as guest lecturers or artists, may receive only a small amount of money.
• Under a Standard Visitor visa, you cannot work for yourself or for a UK-based company. You may be able to work remotely for your German employer, but this should not be the primary purpose of your visit.

After Your Visit: Keeping Records, Returning Home, and Following the Rules

Keeping organised records of your trip will help you with future travel or applications.  Keep copies of:

• Flight bookings and accommodation receipts
• Confirmations of attendance or meeting times
• Receipts or bills for expenses
• Proof that you went back to Germany, like plane tickets, entry stamps, or logs of when you worked

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may review your travel history to determine if you are genuinely visiting the UK, taking into account your repeated visits. If you stay in the UK for a long time or go there often, be prepared to show that you still live and work in Germany, such as:

• Tax returns or VAT returns
• Contracts and invoices for clients
• Proof that you own or rent a home in Germany
• As long as they can demonstrate that their business and home base are still overseas, and they are frequent legitimate visitors, such as consultants or executives, they are usually fine.