UK Visa from Germany: Guide for German & Non EU Citizens
The UK is a popular destination for many German citizens. It offers many appealing benefits, such as a strong economy, numerous areas of natural beauty, and easy travel access to the EU.
However, the process of applying for a UK visa can often be complicated. If you have questions about living, studying, or working in the UK as a German citizen post-Brexit, contact Total Law today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
Do I Need A Visa for the UK from Germany?
If you are a German citizen planning to visit the UK for 6 months or under, you will generally not require a UK visa. However, if you plan to stay for longer than 6 months then a visa will likely be necessary.
Post-Brexit, you will now need your German passport in order to enter the UK. An EU, EEA, or Swiss national identity card can no longer be used, unless you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, an EU Settlement Scheme Family permit, a Frontier Worker permit, are an S2 healthcare visitor, or are a Swiss citizen with a Service Provider from Switzerland visa.
If you are not a German citizen, you may still be able to enter the UK without a visa. This will depend on your specific nationality.
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What Types of UK Visas Are Available for German Citizens?
There are a number of UK visas, and the one which is right for you will depend on your specific circumstances.
The details of the main categories of visa are given below:
Visitor Visa UK
If you plan on visiting the UK as a visitor for under 6 months, the Standard Visitor visa may be the best option for you. This is likely to be a good fit if you wish to visit the UK short-term but are not a German citizen, nor a citizen of the EU.
This visa type will allow you to complete a number of activities in the UK, such as:
- Tourist-related activities
- Visiting family or friends
- Volunteering for periods of up to 30 days
- Limited business activities, such as attending conferences or job interviews
- Participating in recreational courses which last for up to 30 days
However, you will not be able to do the following:
- Work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
- Claim welfare benefits
- Marry or have a civil partnership, or give notice of your intention to do so. Instead, you will need to obtain a Marriage Visitor visa
If you visit the UK regularly, you may also choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa. This visa lasts for either 2, 5, or 10 years, and allows stays of up to 6 months per visit.
Family Visa UK
If you plan to stay with family in the UK for 6 months or over, you will likely require a UK Family visa. The main types of UK Family visa are as follows:
- Spouse visa – this will allow you to join your spouse in the UK
- Child Dependent visa – this will allow dependent children to join their parent(s) in the UK
- UK Ancestry visa – this visa allows applicants who are descendants of grandparents who were born in the UK to live in the UK for up to 5 years, when the applicant is a citizen of a Commonwealth country
- Adult Dependent visa – this visa allows dependent adults (parent, grandparent, or adult child) to join a UK-based relative. If you are in need of long-term and necessary care from a UK-based relative, this visa type may be best for you
The exact visa requirements will vary based on the family relation in question. In particular, the evidence of family relationships which you must provide will depend on your specific circumstances.
Generally, the family member whom you will be joining must fall into one of the following categories:
- British or Irish citizen
- UK permanent resident
- Has pre-settled status
- Has protection status (i.e. is either a refugee or someone with humanitarian protection)
- Has permission to stay in the UK due to being a stateless person
You will generally also need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay and that you have sufficient proficiency in the English language.
Work Visa UK
There are many types of UK Work visas and the one which is best for you will depend on many factors, such as the nature of the work which you will be completing and how long you wish to stay in the UK.
The main UK Work visas are:
- Skilled Worker visa- this visa is for those who wish to work for an eligible UK employer
- Temporary Worker visa– this visa is for those who wish to work in the UK on a temporary basis, for example:
- Charity Worker visa
- Seasonal Worker visa
- Religious Worker visa
- Government Authorised Exchange visa
- Global Business Mobility visa- this visa type is intended to allow overseas companies to operate more easily in the UK. It includes a number of specific visas:
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa
- Graduate Trainee visa
- UK Expansion Worker visa
- Secondment Worker Visa
- Service Supplier visa
Generally, you will need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Have an offer of work from a Home Office-approved UK sponsor
- Have a certificate of sponsorship from your UK sponsor
- Meet the minimum eligible income threshold for your chosen role. The exact amount will vary based on the role in question
- Be able to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK
- Have sufficient English language proficiency
The amount of time for which the visa authorises you to stay in the UK will depend on your exact circumstances, but it may be possible for you to remain in the UK for up to 5 years. After this, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in the UK, at which point you will no longer require a visa in order to legally live and work in the UK.
Business Visa UK
If you plan to visit the UK for business-related activities, you may require one of the following visas:
- Standard Visitor visa – this can be used for short-term business trips, e.g. to attend a conference, interview, or work meeting
- Innovator Founder visa – this can be used if you intend to start a business in the UK
- Global Business Mobility visa – this visa type is intended to allow overseas companies to operate more easily in the UK, and includes the following specific visa types:
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa
- Graduate Trainee visa
- UK Expansion Worker visa
- Secondment Worker Visa
- Service Supplier visa
If you are planning to start a business in the UK, you will need to provide evidence of the business’s originality, viability, and scalability. You will also need to prove that you have the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay.
Student Visa UK
If you wish to study in the UK, a Student visa is likely to be the best fit for you. The main visa types are as follows:
- Student visa- this can be used by students aged 16+ who intend to study at a licenced UK educational institution
- Child Student visa- this can be used by children between 4-17 years old who intend to study at a UK independent school
- Study English in the UK (Short-term Study visa)
- Standard Visitor visa- this allows the holder to attend short-term recreational courses
In order to be eligible for a Student visa, you will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Have an offer from a licenced student-sponsoring institution
- Be able to financially support yourself for the duration of your studies, including covering the course costs
- Have sufficient proficiency in the English language (this includes speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension)
- If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will need evidence that your parents have consented to your studies
A Student visa will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years, depending on the type of study. Once your visa expires, you may be eligible to extend it. You may also consider applying for a Graduate visa, which allows international students who graduated from a UK university to stay in the UK for at least 2 years in order to pursue professional opportunities.
How to Apply for UK Visa from Germany?
The exact application steps for a UK visa application from Germany vary depending on the specific circumstances of the applicant. However, the steps will generally be as follows:
First, you will need to check your eligibility and to collect the relevant documents. Next, you will generally need to apply online, via the UK government website.
You will also need to book an appointment with a UK visa processing centre. In Germany, these can be found in Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Munich. At this appointment, your biometric data will be collected, specifically your photograph and your fingerprints.
Once you have submitted all of the required information, your application will then be processed. You may be asked to provide additional information, which you should do promptly in order to avoid processing delays.
If you are successfully granted a visa, you will then be able to use this to enter the UK. The terms of the visa will depend on the specific visa type in question.
Documents Required for UK Visa Application from Germany?
The exact documents which you will require for a UK visa application from Germany vary significantly based on the type of visa for which you are applying. You will likely require a combination of the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Any additional travel documents
- Proof of an offer to study/work in the UK, as applicable
- Proof that you have the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay
- Proof of family relationship, if applicable
- Proof of sufficient English language proficiency
- A copy of your criminal record
- Proof of parental consent if you are under 18 years old at the time of your application
Note that your documents must be translated into either English or Welsh. The translation must be completed by a certified translation service.
UK Visa Fees from Germany: How Much Does it Cost?
UK visa fees vary significantly between visa types, and can cost over £1000. For example, a Student visa typically costs £558, whereas the cost of a Skilled Worker visa ranges from £819to £1,235. The cost of a Family visa also varies significantly, ranging from £2,064 to £1,407 depending on the nature of the family relation in question and whether or not the applicant has protection status (i.e. is either a refugee or has humanitarian protection).
You will likely also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which will allow you to use the UK’s national health service. This must be paid annually. Note that you may also have to pay to have your application documents translated into either English or Welsh. The exact cost of this will depend on the translation provider which you select.
In some instances, applicants also choose to pay for legal assistance. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 to learn more about our services.
UK Visa Processing Time from Germany: How Long Does it Take?
The processing time for UK visas ranges significantly depending on the visa in question. The processing time could be as short as 3 weeks but could also take a number of months.
The processing time for UK Student visas and Skilled Worker visas is 3 weeks.
In order to minimise the length of the processing time, make sure that you are eligible for your chosen visa before submitting your application and that you submit all of the required documents.
How Can Total Law Help With UK Visa Application from Germany?
The UK is a country which offers numerous travel benefits, such as a rich culture, strong economy, and numerous study and work opportunities. However, post-Brexit, a UK visa is now generally necessary for German citizens who wish to remain in the UK for longer than 6 months. If you are not a German citizen but reside in Germany, you may also still require a UK visa in order to enter the UK.
At Total Law, our legal experts have many years of experience in advising on such cases and helping with every stage of the application process. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online, to learn more about how we can help you with your own immigration journey.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A German citizen will not generally require a UK visa if they plan to visit the UK for up to 6 months. As such, German citizens will not generally need to apply for the UK’s Standard Visitor visa.
However, if you are a German citizen and plan to remain in the UK for 6 months or over, you are likely to require a UK visa. This is due to changes in the UK’s immigration policy, post-Brexit.
The UK is not part of the Schengen area. As such, if you have a Schengen visa, it is likely that you will still require a separate UK visa in order to enter the UK. However, this will depend on your specific circumstances. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 to learn more about Schengen travel regulations.
EU citizens do not require a visa in order to enter the UK. However, if you are an EU citizen and wish to stay for 6 months or over then you will likely require a UK visa.
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