UK Visit Visa for German Citizens
As a founding member of the European Union, Germany has long enjoyed easy transit with and immigration to other European states. However, since the UK left the EU in 2020, a variety of visa requirements have come into force for German nationals entering the country.
Total Law are a team of immigration lawyers who specialise in helping people and businesses obtain the relevant visas and immigration permissions they need to travel, work and live all around the world. Call our office today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or chat online, to discuss your circumstances and start your journey toward more international travel.
What is a UK Visitor Visa?
A British tourist visa is a specific visa class designed to allow nationals from other countries entries to the UK for the purposes of a recreational visit.
A standard visitor visa is valid for any period up to six months, but limits the holder’s activities in the country strictly.
Visitors to the UK with a tourist visa may:
- Visit on holiday or vacation
- See family or friends
- Volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
- Pass through the country in transit to another country
- Attend certain business activities (interviews or meetings)
- Attend certain paid engagements as an expert in their profession (give lectures or perform)
- Take part in a school exchange programme
- Take part in any recreational course for a period of up to 30 days
- To study, do a study placement or take an exam for no longer than six months
- Seek private medical care
However, those present in the UK on a standard visitor visa must not:
- Complete paid or unpaid work for a British company or as a self-employed person outside of the scope of the permitted paid engagements mentioned above
- Access any public funds
- Return to the UK on successive visitor visas to essentially reside in the country
- Marry or register a civil partnership (or give notice to)
Page Contents
- Visitor Visas: An Overview
- Do German citizens need a Visit Visa for the UK?
- Eligibility criteria for a UK Visit Visa from Germany
- Document Requirements for a UK Visit Visa from Germany
- UK Visit Visa application process from Germany
- UK Visit Visa processing time from Germany
- UK Visa Fees from Germany
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do German citizens need a Visit Visa for the UK?
While German citizens are not able to travel freely into the UK for all purposes, they do not require a visa to enter the country for tourism purposes, provided they will not be present for more than six months and will not undertake any of the restricted activities listed above. Instead, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It is recommended that German nationals are able to provide details of their booked accommodation and return travel before they arrive.
This allows for any interested immigration services to see proof of their return before the end of the six month designated period.
If a German national already in the UK finds they need to stay longer than six months, they may apply for a visitor visa in advance of their six-month visa-free period ending. Such extension to their stay will only be permitted up to another six months, and the applicant must:
- Be a patient receiving ongoing medical treatment that will continue out of the initial six month period
- Be an academic meeting specific eligibility requirements
- Be a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test
- Be a graduate taking a clinical attachment
No stay extensions are guaranteed and a fee of £1,100 is payable upon application. It is always recommended that legal advice is sought in such circumstances. Total Law can help – call our team on +44 (0)333 305 9375 in advance of the initial six month stay ending.
If a German citizen has ever been refused entry to the UK before or holds a criminal record, it is recommended that they apply for a tourist visitor visa to avoid complications or delays at the border.
UK Visit Visa Eligibility Criteria for German Citizens
If a German citizen is required (or indeed chooses) to apply for a tourist visitor visa, they must meet the standard criteria for such a travel permission. As standard, the applicant must:
- Be able to prove booked travel into and out of the UK (a reservation will do if it has not been fully paid for prior to application)
- Be able to prove reserved accommodation during their stay in the UK
- Be able to provide evidence of their home address in Germany
- Be able to provide evidence of their income in Germany
- Be able to provide details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences committed
If the applicant is applying for an extended visa to permit a stay of over six months, they must also provide a certificate of their having had a tuberculosis (TB) test with a negative result.
Additional documents may be requested if the applicant is visiting the UK to study, as an academic, for medical reasons, or to attend a permitted paid engagement.
UK Visit Visa Requirements: Documents required for German Citizens
To prove their eligibility for this visa type, applicants must be able to provide the following documents as part of the visa application process:
- A valid German passport
- Biometric information (usually fingerprints and a photograph)
- A copy of all reserved travel and accommodation arrangements
- Evidence of their home address in Germany
- Evidence of their income in Germany (usually through bank statements and pay slips)
- A clean criminal record certificate from the German authorities or documents relating to offences committed
Any documents not supplied in English or Welsh must be accompanied with a translated version.
UK Visit Visa application process from Germany
The visa application process is subject to variation dependent on an individual’s circumstances. However, the following can be considered a standard process:
Collate documents
All required documents must be submitted along with a visa application form online, and failure to do so will result in a rejection. As a result, all documentation should be collated ahead of time.
File visa application form online and pay visa fees
The relevant visa application form should be completed on the GOV.UK website and the fees paid.
Book UKVI visa interview
Once the application form has been completed, the British visa authorities are notified of the individual’s intention to travel.
At this point they may book a visa interview at their nearest UKVI centre. At this appointment, any further documentation requested can be supplied and biometric information can be taken.
Wait for decision
The UKVI service will process the application and notify the applicant of their decision in writing.
Total Law can intervene at any point in the application process to guide and advise, or work with applicants throughout the whole thing. Call us at any time on +44 (0)333 305 9375 to learn more on how we could help you.
UK Visit Visa processing time from Germany
There is no set SLA for the British visa service to process applications, and waiting times may vary dependent on demand. On average, however, tourist visitor visa applications receive a decision within three weeks.
An expedited ‘premium service’ is available to speed up visa application processing times, but is rarely used for tourist visas as it’s so expensive. If UKVI agrees, they may process a visa application five working days upon payment of a £500 admin fee, or one working day for £1000.
These amounts are payable on top of any other visa fees payable. It should also be noted that such fees are payable by every family member on any application and do not cover a group.
UK Visa Fees from Germany
The exact amount to be paid for a tourist visitor visa to the UK depends on which class of visa the applicant is applying for. The fees are as follows:
- Standard visa for visitors – £127 – (This is generally only required by German nationals who have been refused entry to the UK before or have a criminal record.)
- Visa for visitors for medical reasons – £220 (up to 11 months)
- Visa for visitors who are academics – £220 (up to 12 months)
- Two-year long-term standard visa for visitors – £475 (6 months per visit)
- Five-year standard visa for visitors – £848
- (6 months per visit)
- Ten-year standard visa for visitors – £1059
- (6 months per visit)
Fees are non-refundable in the case of visa rejection.
How Total Law Can Assist with Your UK Visit Visa from Germany
We aim to communicate with all clients jargon-free for ease and transparency, and won’t ever push anyone to apply for a visa they don’t need. Our team work day in day out with individuals from around the world to help them identify, apply for, and receive the right visa for them and their travel goals.
Whether you’re looking to head to British shores for a holiday, a friends and family visit, to receive medical treatment or to further your academic work, we can help. Get in touch today and let us make the process as stress-free and streamlined as possible for you.
It can be tricky to know whether or not you’re best applying for a tourism visa to visit the UK, but our team of specialist solicitors can help. Call our UK office on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online for expert support.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is currently no minimum financial requirement for tourists to enter the UK on a standard visa class pertaining to recreational activities. In most cases, however, applicants will be asked to prove that they have some form of regular income back in their home nation. In some circumstances, if an applicant is deemed to be a flight risk, UKVI may insist on proof of financial means to support themselves during their stay.
The UK leaving the European Union means that the previous ‘right to roam’ for visa-free travel across member states no longer applies. While there was a grace period to allow such freedoms for an extended period, this has now ended. However, German nationals continue to enjoy the ability to visit the UK for a period of up to six months with no visa – provided they meet the standard eligibility criteria.
The UK does not automatically refuse entry to those with spent criminal convictions, but the severity of the convictions is likely to directly impact any entry decision made by the relevant authorities. It is recommended that German nationals with such a record undergo the standard visa application process to ensure they are not held up or refused at the border.
There is currently no requirement for German citizens to obtain any class of transit visa to travel through the UK en route to any other destination.
There are three UKVI application centres in Germany – in Berlin, Munich and Dusseldorf. All accept applications from across Germany, but it should be noted that the Dusseldorf office is considerably smaller than the other two and so has very limited appointments available which may result in a delay.
German nationals abroad who wish to apply for a British visa may attend an application appointment at the relevant office in whichever state they are currently resident, but may need to advise them in advance of their situation so that any translation issues can be negated.
