ETA UK, other countries mandatory for application
11/11/2024 08:00
Good afternoon,
The United Kingdom (UK) will introduce the obligation to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for further countries:
States with mandatory application:
States with mandatory application from January 8, 2025:
States with mandatory application from April 2, 2025:
What activities are permitted with a UK ETA?
You can get a UK ETA if you
- come to the UK for a period of up to 6 months as a tourist, to visit family and friends, for business reasons or for short-term study
- come to the UK for up to 3 months with the Creative Worker visa concession
- come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
- travel through the UK (transit) - even if you do not pass through UK border control
All consular advisors will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Best regards
Your DVKG team
China: Visa exemption for more countries
08/11/2024 08:00
Good afternoon,
Current communication informs us that the current 15-day visa-free entry option to the People's Republic of China for nationals until the end of 2025
- of the French Republic,
- the Federal Republic of Germany,
- the Italian Republic,
- the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
- the Kingdom of Spain
- of Malaysia
- of Austria,
- of Switzerland,
- of Ireland,
- from Hungary,
- of Belgium and
- of Luxembourg
- of Poland
- from Australia and
- of New Zealand
- of Portugal
- of Greece
- of Cyprus and
- of Slovenia
from November 8, 2024 (initially until the end of 2025) also for citizens
- of Slovakia
- of Norway
- of Finland
- of Denmark
- of Iceland
- of Andorra
- of Monaco
- of Liechtenstein and
- of Korea, Republic of (South)
is planned. The exemption from the visa requirement is to be valid exclusively for the following purposes and provisions:
- Tourist - single entry - maximum stay of up to 15 days
- Business - single entry - maximum stay of up to 15 days
- Family visits - single entry - maximum stay of up to 15 days
- Transit
The exemption shall NOT apply for the following purposes:
- A stay of more than 15 days
- Multiple entries
- Holders of Austrian service passports
- All other categories not mentioned above (e.g. work visa, conference visa, etc.)
As soon as we have more detailed information, we will of course inform you again.
If you have any questions, the DVKG consular advisors are available at any time.
Your DVKG team
A1 certificate: Further information on the publication of the BMAS
09/10/2024 16:00
Good afternoon,
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has published information on the subject of "Handling the A1 certificate" in the context of short-term and short-term cross-border activities.
The information deals with the question of whether an A1 certificate is required for short-term and short-term cross-border activities and whether it must be applied for in advance. It should be noted that the BMAS does not issue any recommendations on how to apply for an A1. The following should be noted:
- The decisive factor as to whether an A1 certificate is required is based on the legal understanding of the destination to which the person is traveling. From the operational experience of the DVKG, the A1 certificate must be presented in all of Germany's neighboring countries, including Italy, the UK and Spain.
- Because of the short-term and short-term cross-border activities and a possible delay in issuing the A1 certificate by the relevant authorities (usually health insurance companies), Germany has concluded an agreement with France and Austria that proof of application for the A1 certificate is also sufficient and protects against an initial sanction. Other destinations have not opposed this agreement.
- The information provided by the BMAS does not indicate that there is any fundamental logic to the question raised regarding the dispensability (of the advance application) of the A1 certificate. On the contrary, there are explicit references to this in several places in the BMAS communication, which speak in favor of applying for the A1 certificate in advance, even for short-term and short-term cross-border activities.
Experience reports of sanction cases also show unpleasant consequences for the person traveling. Due to a missing A1 certificate, the social security contribution for the period of the stay was confiscated locally. The social security authorities reported the change to the foreign social security system to the German social security authorities. They noted the interruption accordingly, which led to a pension gap in the case of pension cover.
- IMPORTANT: In the event of an accident / need for medical care abroad, a subsequent application for the A1 certificate and all other social insurance certificates is not permitted by the social insurance institutions (accident insurance / employers' liability insurance association).
It is up to the company to decide how to handle the application for the A1 certificate. Based on a lot of feedback from inspections, we recommend applying for the A1 certificate in good time and carrying it with you, or at least being able to prove that you have applied for it in advance.
Your DVKG team
China: Visa exemption for more countries
09/10/2024 08:00
Good afternoon,
Current communication informs us that the current 15-day visa-free entry to the People's Republic of China for nationals until the end of 2025
- of the French Republic,
- the Federal Republic of Germany,
- the Italian Republic,
- the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
- the Kingdom of Spain
- of Malaysia
- of Austria,
- of Switzerland,
- of Ireland,
- of Hungary,
- of Belgium and
- of Luxembourg
- of Poland
- from Australia and
- from New Zealand
from October 15, 2024 (initially until the end of 2025) also for citizens
- of Portugal
- of Greece
- of Cyprus
- of Slovenia
is planned. The exemption from the visa requirement is to be valid exclusively for the following purposes and provisions:
- Tourist - single entry - maximum stay of up to 15 days
- Business - single entry - maximum stay of up to 15 days
- Family visits - single entry - maximum stay of up to 15 days
- Transit
The exemption shall NOT apply for the following purposes:
- A stay of more than 15 days
- Multiple entries
- Holders of Austrian service passports
- All other categories not mentioned above (e.g. work visa, conference visa, etc.)
As soon as we have more detailed information, we will of course inform you again.
If you have any questions, the DVKG consular advisors are available at any time.
Your DVKG team
Chinese national holidays
24/09/2024 10:00
Good afternoon,
Please note that from September 28 - October 03, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Chinese Consulates in Germany will be closed due to Chinese national holidays.
Please take this into account when applying for your visa.
Best regards
Your DVKG team
