Application procedure

Please create your personal user account by providing your email address and a password. You will then have to activate your account by clicking on the link provided in the email that will be sent to you.

Log in to your account, fill in the requested personal data. If you are a member of a group of people applying for a visa together, please fill in the data of those accompanying you too. Submit the group when you finish.

Choose a date and time of your convenience to submit your application at our Visa Application Centre. Do not forget to print out your notification as it will be required at our welcome area.

For short-stay visa applications:

• You will be added to a queue and notified as soon as an appointment becomes available.
• You will have 24 hours to pay the service fee and confirm your appointment. 

Note: The service fee must be paid online via our secure payment platform. Payment is in GBP and by debit or credit card only (American Express cards are not accepted).

The VIDEX form (English or German version only!) should be completed online via the VIDEX website and printed. The form should be completed in capital letters and must be signed by the applicant in person using black ink.

If your fingerprints are over 59 months old, you must visit again. Otherwise, no personal appearance is required.

Short-stay applicants need to use this VIDEX form.

Long-stay applicants need to use this VIDEX form.

Please note that all applicants aged 12 years and older must personally come to their appointment at TLScontact for biometric data capture and for the submission of the application.

If you are exempted from biometric data capture, you can submit your visa application by an authorized representative to submit the application on your behalf. He/she has to provide a signed letter of authorization as well as the original and copy of his/her ID card. The representative cannot be a minor.

Please note: In accordance with the Federal Foreign Office’s instructions, applicants arriving more than 15 minutes late for their appointment will be required to book a new appointment.

• An extensive range of Added Value Services is available to facilitate your application submission process;
• Your application and supporting documents will be checked for completeness according to the requirements of the German Diplomatic Mission and your biometric data will be captured. Please note that service fees are paid online and visa fees are paid in the centre. Following completion of these steps, your application is transferred to the German Diplomatic Mission for a decision.

You can track your application at any time by logging in your personal account.

Your application will be processed by the German Diplomatic Mission. TLScontact does not make any decision related to your visa application.

The German Diplomatic Mission may ask for more information or additional documents. If this happens, you will be contacted by email or phone with detailed instructions.

Important notice: You may track your application anytime by visiting your personal account on our website.

After the German Diplomatic Mission has made a decision on your visa application, your passport will be returned first to London Centre or Edinburgh Centre. Passports of applicants who have applied in Manchester centre will still need to be transferred from London Centre. You will be notified by automated email as soon as your passport is ready for collection.

You can collect your passport in person or by a representative.

Collection in person with:

• Your Application Checklist;
• Your Original Photographic ID;
• Copy of Your Photographic ID.

Collection by representative with:

• Your Application Checklist;
• Copy of Your Photographic ID;
• Representative’s Original Photographic ID;
• Copy of Representative’s Photographic ID;
• Letter of authorization signed by you (clearly stating the representative’s details);
• To pick up a passport belonging to a minor applicant under 18 years old, a written authorization and a photocopy of the ID card from either a parent or legal guardian, as well as a copy of the birth certificate of the child are required as well.

If you have chosen Express Courier Return Service, your passport will be sent to the address chosen during the submission.