Embassy of Germany

The staff was friendly from the security, front desk to the application desk. I got there around 9:30am, and my number was called out in less than an hour. The lady assisting me was very lovely, she wasn’t sure if my visa would be processed because I didn’t have a certain letter, but it was from a good place. I paid for courier service and it came the next week. Great service.

Appointments were smooth and security staff was professional the counter staff was helpful I went for my German passport renewal and I was told it be approx 8 weeks wait but I got my passport in 4 weeks vielen Dank 👊🏼

Very disheartened with the indifference of German Embassy in UK. No reply to any emails. Visa submission dates should be given for important reasons like education or a short educational / vocational training , its not for a vacation.

PLEASE ALLOT Visa appointment dates for short stay at Manchester TLS. It is very stressful as there are no dates available since long.

This is my completely honest review of my experience with the German Embassy in London:
After reading other reviews, I was very anxious for what my experience could look like as a 19 year old applying for a national visa on the purpose of studying a German intensive course. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
The process was very lengthy in terms of applying but I did not expect anything else, the most stressful part of it is ensuring you bring all the necessary documents to your appointment.
When help/advice was needed from the Embassy, I was met with incredibly quick and mostly very useful answers and solutions. Using the contact form on their page ensures this. In most cases, I would advise to do this instead of calling their line.
The manner from all who work there is absolutely wonderful. When I attended my appointment, I spoke to a genuine and very helpful lady who answered any questions I had and even commended me on how much preparation I had put into the appointment. The staff there are polite and no issue is too big for them to manage.
To be honest, the only element I can fault in my opinion is some of the information and the way it’s written. I found it complicated to work my way around the website sometimes and especially in trying to work out which visa would be correct for me to apply for, since a German language visa is different to a study visa. It is quite overwhelming, but others may disagree!
After applying and being told my D-visa could take up to 3 months to be ready, I was also pleasantly surprised by the 1 month wait whilst it was processed and 2 day postal wait. I now have my visa and look forward to begin my time in Germany.

unfortunately I cannot give ZERO stars. They actively encouraged me to commit an offence instead of issuing a new passport in my new name. Until now, they haven’t responded apart from one employee (apparently the Head of Operation - Passport Service) with the request to send in supporting documents, haven’t heard back since). Also, please be aware that you submit supporting documents via Email - so no data protection is guaranteed). I am still waiting for information about an Express Pass. The Passport hotline (which is open 2h per day) is rather a discrimination to people that have to work in key relevant jobs. I tried to call, no success to all, unfortunately. Even the phone operator was speechless. Waiting 3 months for a Passport appointment is the norm, so book at least a year in advance - oh and don’t forget to bring your VISA card, so they can charge you in Euros (cause upfront payment isn’t an option, forget about apple pay cause your phone is locked away). Overthink your service, urgently!
If my workplace would provide such a service we would have been shut down already.

Having had to visit the embassy (well, the consulate side of it) twice in the last two months, I've had excellent, professional service from the staff both times. While getting *into* the consulate might be problematic at times (queues in the cold outside and worrying about missing your appointment), I would suggest that you queue up at least 20 minutes ahead of your appointment, and that you are not shy about walking up to the security person by the entrance if your appointment is less than 5 minutes away. The security people *will* check along the queue, but take the initiative to announce yourself. If there's no queue, you get into the consulate earlier.

The consulate has lockers for those who have backpacks/bags containing electronics (like if you're a student with a laptop), but if you can avoid those, so much the better. Follow the instructions the consulate gives you (bring cash for certifications, or Beeidigungen in German, you can use credit cards but not Amex for visas), and allow for at least 30-60 minutes for an appointment (depending on how busy they are). Nearest Tube is Sloane Square (plus 10 min walk), but Victoria is also walkable.

Excellent from start to finish. Security staff were polite and friendly, paperwork taken quickly and I didn’t have to wait that long to be told my application would be sent to Germany (for a passport by descent). The backlog situation was explained to me so I’m aware that the process is going to take about a year, sadly. Full marks to all the staff.

Pretty harrowing experience. Arrived 15 mins early for my appointment and had to wait 45 mins outside in 3 degree rain and wind to clear security. There were children and toddlers in the queue who had to wait too. Apparently due to Covid-19 regulations they don’t allow more than a few people in at once. But at the same time they didn’t require anyone to wear a mask when inside.