Visa Applications / Entry Requirements: Great Britain

German and some other citizens do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. However, all travelers who can travel visa-free must apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) in stages (at the latest for trips from April 2, 2025).

European citizens who can travel visa-free to the United Kingdom must apply for the ETA for trips starting from 02.04.25. This is possible from 05.03.25. Other nationals who can travel visa-free must apply for the ETA for trips starting from 08.01.25. Information on this can be found under “eVisa”.

To find out if you need a visa or an ETA, click here.

If a visa is required, it must be applied for in person (personal interview, fingerprinting, etc.) at a Visa Application Center (VFS Services Germany GmbH) in Berlin, Düsseldorf or Munich. Allow 1 to 2 weeks to get an appointment for an interview.

To complete the application for a standard visitor visa and start the application process with the British Ministry, please click here. This is required BEFORE making an appointment.

APPOINTMENT BOOKING VIA SERVISUM

We will be happy to help you make an appointment to apply for a STANDARD VISITOR VISA (for business travelers). You will find the order form in the black box on the right.

Please note: We can only guarantee that your application will be processed on the same day if we receive the complete set of documents by 2 p.m. at the latest. We cannot fulfill an appointment request for the next day or the day after if we receive the application after that.

Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you with visas for OTHER CATEGORIES (e.g. work visa, internship, study, family permit as a spouse of an EU citizen or EEA citizen living in the UK, etc.).

After making an appointment, you will receive a confirmation of the appointment, proof of payment of the fees incurred, and a checklist of all the documents required for the application.

We strongly recommend submitting the following documents (in English, if possible) at the appointment, even if not explicitly requested afterwards:

• Secondment letter
  from the employer in Germany, with information about the traveler and the purpose of the trip (name, position in the company, planned travel dates, planned activity on site; sample)
• Letter of invitation
  from the company/organization in Great Britain
• Booking documents
  for hotel and flight, reservations also sufficient
• Current bank statement
  Sufficient financial means must be apparent, which match the information in the application
• Salary statement
• Copy of rental contract or land registry entry
  It must be made clear that the main center of life is in Germany
• Copy of residence permit for Germany

Important:

When checking the documents (especially the secondment letter and the invitation), make absolutely sure that the information on salary, financial support (planned expenses in the UK) and the planned days of stay in the UK matches the information you provided in the visa application!

The application process for the UK is very extensive, so it takes quite a bit of work. Orders received after 3 p.m. can usually only be checked and processed on the next business day.

Processing time (without guarantee):

Standard Service: after appointment approx. 3-4 weeks
Priority Service: after appointment approx. 7-10 business days