In this guide, you will learn the steps and requirements for applying for a German visa quickly and successfully from the UK. Whether you are travelling for business, visiting friends and family, or enjoying a leisure holiday, the visa process is an important consideration for both short-term and long-term stays in Germany.
Who Needs a Visa to Travel to Germany From the UK?
If you hold a full UK passport or are a British citizen from the British Overseas Territory (BOTC), British Overseas Citizen (BOC), British Protected Person (BPP), or British Subject (BS), you do not need a visa to travel to Germany. Non-EU nationals residing in the UK also do not require a Schengen visa to visit Germany.
Germany requires visa applicants to submit specific documents, and German visa officers worldwide must adhere to these requirements. While agreements have reduced the number of non-EU countries whose citizens must obtain Schengen visas, entry restrictions remain in place for some nationalities. Ensure you check the list of nationalities that require Schengen visas to travel to Germany.
Who Can Apply for a German Visa From the UK?
Now, if you’re a national of the UK, and were on the list of countries whose citizens need a Schengen visa, it should be a German one that you’ll be issued to go to Germany. Besides that, to succeed in this process you need to hold a current UK residence permit that has to be still valid one month after your leaving Germany which is part of Schengen Zone.
Check what requirements there are to attain a German visit visa from the UK using the German Schengen Visa checker feature. With a UK 3-month visa, you can apply for a Schengen visa in Germany and the validity of the former will be extended for another 3 months, giving you a chance to get a German Schengen visa as well. It needs to be applied for before your stay permit in the country ends and while you are actually in the UK, too.
Germany Visa Application Requirements for UK Residents
While filling in the application to have a visa for Germany in the UK it becomes necessary to get a set of documents that would corroborate your application. Here is a comprehensive list of the required documents:
Valid Passport or Travel Document:
Meet the passport standards by making sure:
Issued(but not extended) within 10 years of assessment
Contains at least 2 blank full pages:
Also, the visa stamp (should be located on the first or second page) and an additional spare one.
This voucher can be valid at least for three (3) months in the Schengen Area after you leave.
Valid UK Residence Permit:
Your five-year UK residence should be incorporated in your passport or on the new biometric ID card.
German Visa Application Form:
Complete the form precisely and countersign it as required.
Passport Format Photo:
- A photograph of a passport-style size with the provided instructions follows.
- Light background with mostly bright colors.
- Full face visibility.
- Self-portrait captured not earlier than the last 3 months.
- Along with the photo put it to the application form and make sure to paperclip it, they only accept the stapled ones.
Cover Letter:
Formulate a draft cover letter that is intended to justify your visit to Germany.
Proof of Travel Arrangements:
Provide reserved booking receipts of one-way or round-trip flights, or other kind of documentation that lawfully proves a planned move across the UK and German borders. This could include a detailed travel plan for the trip which consists of more than one Schengen State or some non-Schengen countries.
Germany Travel Medical Insurance:
Get medical insurance with coverage and repatriation within the whole Schengen zone for at least €30,000.
Proof of Accommodation in Germany:
Showing the supporting documents, such as the hotel reservation or the rental contract, is enough. On the other hand, if you have a German host (family member or friend) fill them in about their admission and you can add their ID, copy of passport, etc. For example, for sponsorship when possible mention it as proof.
Proof of Financial Subsistence:
Show how you can afford the trip with any of the following:
- A UK bank account statement for the previous three months from now and the amount of £50 per person per day should be shown on the statement to support your Germany accommodation.
- Traveler’s cheques.
Additional Document Requirements Based on Employment Status:
- For UK employees: Employment Contract (latest), Last 6 Months’ Banking Statements, Leave Permission from the Employer, Income Tax Return Form (ITR), and Income tax deducted certificate.
- The self-employed: Business license of the firm, company bank statement for the last 6 months, Income Tax Return (ITR) of the firm.
- For foreign students in the UK: Verifications of the admission/registered proof, including NOC from the school/college.
- Retirees: (Retiree should receive a statement for the last 6 months for which social pension has been provided).
- For unemployed individuals married to an EU citizen: Humanization: Accompanied by a Confirmation of Employment from the employer, spouse’s passport, and an officially translated marriage certificate.
Requirements for Children Under 18
If you’re planning to apply for a Germany visa for a child under 18, take note of the specific requirements:
- Parents or adults who are the legal guardians of the children should be present at the German visa applications together with their under-aged dependents.
- Minor, who was given a visa for Germany, are not allowed to be alone in Germany at any point; they have to be with an adult in all the time they are in Germany.
Required documents for visa application for underage children:
- Original copy of the birth certificate and other adequate documents.
- The permission of both of the parents has been obtained in the form of a signed travel consent.
- Consent to the removal of children from the UK should be signed in person by the parent(s) living abroad at the German Embassy/Consulate located in themselves.
How to Apply for a German Visa From the UK
The application for a German visa is to be started by fixing the date and time for the interview either with the German embassy in London or the German consulate-general in Edinburgh. You have several options for scheduling an appointment:
Direct Appointment:
Make an appointment online by simply visiting the website of the German Embassy in London or the German Consulate General in Edinburgh. Please note that the available times are from 9 am to 10 am, on weekdays and non-holidays only.
Through VFS Centres:
At the Germany Visa Application Centres in the UK, anyone can apply for a German visa and, despite its name, the visa will be processed by the German Embassy in London.
Schengen Visa Types for Short-Term Visits in Germany
German authorities have visa types of Schengen for tourist visits which are for short-term visits and different purposes. You need to apply for a German Schengen visa if your travel to Germany falls under the following categories:
- Business purposes.
- Visiting friends and family.
- Tourism and holidays.
- Cultural and sports events.
- Airport transfer and shipping shift.
- Official visits.
- Medical reasons.
- Short-term study purposes.
By the purpose of your visit and the number of your trips, the embassy/console in the UK can give you either a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa.
Choosing the Right German Embassy/Consulate
Select the appropriate German Embassy/Consulate based on your location:
- If you are from England/Wales, attend the German Embassy in London.
- Apply directly in Hamburg if you are living in Scotland or Northern Ireland, at the German Consulate General in Edinburgh.
- Postal Application (only for certain applicants under specific conditions): Entered the categories that you are fitting into the post-application submission and in the required guidelines, including the fee and the demanded documents should thus be enclosed.
Germany Visa Application Processing Time
When applying for a German Schengen visa, keep in mind the following processing time details:
- You can make an application for a German visa a minimum of 180 days before your desired trip date.
- The customer gets 5 working days at the minimum for the typical processing to be done.
- But, it is going to take the specific citizens more than the usual processing times, like at least two weeks.
Germany Visa Fees for UK Residents
The charge of the Schengen German visa is the same among member Schengen states. Here are the costs for a German Schengen Visa when applying from the UK:
- Adult: £73 or €80
- Children aged 6-12: 36.5 pounds sterling or 40 euros
- Children under 6: No cost requirement is made.
Please bear in mind that the money conversions are always changing, so you must pay the visa fees in British Pounds only. Customers can transfer funds using cash, credit, or debit cards.
Germany Visa Fee Exemptions
Certain individuals are exempt from visa fees, including:
- Children under 6 years: No fee is required.
- School pupils, students, and accompanying teachers: Fees are waived if the travel is for educational purposes.
- Researchers: Those traveling for research-related activities are exempt.
- Representatives of non-profit organizations: Individuals aged 25 or younger participating in cultural, sports, or educational events organized by non-profits can also avoid fees.
- Spouses and minor children of German citizens: This includes parents of minor German nationals and family members of EU/EEA nationals who enjoy freedom of movement.
FAQs on UK for Visa Germany
Appointment Scheduling:
You’ll have to book another appointment if you fail to attend the allocated one and rescheduling won’t be an issue in the meantime.
In-Person Appearance:
Each applicant for a visit visa at the German Embassy/Consulate must come personally to the mission during its normal working hours.
Guarantee of Approval:
Neither the approval of your German visa is guaranteed nor a failure. For the maximum effectiveness of your application, submit all files properly.
Appealing Visa Denial:
In a scenario where your visa is turned down, you can cater to this by the means of appealing the decision by challenging the decision by writing reasons based on the refusal letter.
Same-Day Visa:
The humanitarian exemption that allows the German embassy/consulate to issue a visa on the same day can be considered if the reason is the case of a serious medical emergency. This decision is based on the discretion of the German embassy/consulate in such cases.
Non-EU Spouse/Family Member:
If the spouse of a UK citizen travels and joins the EEA/EU spouse in Germany, the spouse does need a German visa only in some cases. For example, the second spouse holds a UK Residence Permit and travels with or joins the EEA/EU spouse in Germany.
Obtaining a German visa in the UK sinks on the level of detail and necessarily the full depiction of conditions. This guide takes into consideration the phases of the application process, the list of the necessary paperwork, the requirements one has to meet, timeframes, fees, and exemptions. Supporting the visa application process with correct information increases your possibility of getting a Schengen visa for Germany successfully.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to Germany straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Work Visa or a Study Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit Germany. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
