Interview At The British Embassy

[brokenmoose]

My wife was refused a 6 month family visit visa last month ( read all about that here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=114934&st=0&p=1237348entry1237348). We reapplied with new stronger application last week for a 3 month family visit( 42 attachments opposed to the 21 on the first application). We got a phone call this morning requesting an interview at the embassy next month. Coincidently the interview is to take place on the day we were due to fly out. That throws a real spanner in the works. I guess I'll change my flight as well as hers as I want to be there for her on the day.

Now the questions: Is this interview just procedure after a refusal or does it show that they are genuinely considering it( my friend had a refusal two weeks ago with out a phone call or interview)? Have we a chance at getting it.

Will we find out the result on the day? We have a wedding to attend and need to know what date to change our flights to.

What sort of questions will they ask? I've heard they can be quite nasty? We have nothing to hide but my wife is pretty apprehensive about the whole thing.

How long do these interviews generally last?

Will it be in English or Thai?

My wife is asking what style of clothes she should wear? Suit or just smart casual?

Would love to hear anyones experiences of these interviews. We need to be as prepared as possible.

Cheers, The Moose

[OneeyedJohn]

My BIL had an interview conducted in Thai at the UK Embassy and he was refused.

Reasons were primarily because the replies he gave in the interview did not match up with what was on the application. in part.

He was obviously nervous ( not helped by the aggressive interviewer ) and this nervousness may have been misinterpreted.

Diplomats the world over are unfortunately some of the sickest ,saddest SOBs I've ever had the misfortune to meet.

Good luck.

[stament]

Hi Moose,

My TG got questioned when she applied for her first visitor visa a year back before they outsourced it to the application centre. I think in "those days" everybody got questioned before being given a visa.

She was lucky as she was only asked about 3 or 4 questions but she did say others were asked lots of questions. I think it just depends on the official. What they basically want to know is proof of relationship and also what you have put on the application form is correct. I think most of the questions tend to be on things like - where does your boyfriend live, does he have any brothers/sisters, what is his job, how long have you known him, etc, etc. Basically questions about you and your family.

The other questions tend to be on reason to return and income - i.e. how will visit be supported. Why do you want to go to UK. How long will you stay there for. Why do you want to come back to Thailand, etc.

I think there is a posting on here if you do a search which has a list of Qs. If not try www.thailand-uk.com forum.

My girlfriend did get grilled by a jobsworth on arrival in London by a passport control official. She asked her the same questions several times to try and catch her out. I guess they have nothing better to do - I mean the visa had already been granted.

Oh well such is life, good luck and let us know how you get on

[the scouser]

That they are interviewing your wife indicates to a large extent that they are taking her application seriously. If they were so minded, they would have simply refused the application without an interview. Your wife should dress reasonably smartly, and the interview will be in Thai through an interpreter if she so wishes. The questions will largely focu upon her knowledge of you and your circumstances/relationship. She will be expected to know such things as when your relationship started, how many brothers/sisters you have, possibly their names etc. If you haven't done so already, make sure you include evidence of the invitation to the wedding.

All the best,

Scouse.

[brokenmoose]

Cheers. I'm feeling quite positive now as we are genuine, although I just asked my wife when we first met and she got the year wrong, then asked how many brothers and sisters I have and she said " two including you" meaning one.. ooops. She can be a bit like that when under pressure but I guess we have plenty of time to practice...the wedding invetation is in the aplication

Will we get the visa on the day if we are successful?

[the gent]

Brokenmoose,

The interview should be neutral in tone and there is no reason to expect otherwise but if your chum detects any aggression, short temperedness or any other unreasonable attitude displayed by the interviewer she might wish to ask for it to be temporarily suspended whilst the manager's presence is sought. There is no excuse for unprofessionalism and such a request should not be refused outright.

In view of the circumstances you have related so far I cannot see how or why the application should be refused. Difficult I know, but it is important for her to relax and concentrate upon the questions being asked. Ultimately, her genuineness should become transparent and the visa will be issued.

Perhaps an offer to perform at this year's Ploenchit Fair ( an annual event organised by the Embassy to raise money for charity ) might not go amiss?

In the unlikely event she is refused I should be happy to arrange a meeting with my journalist acquaintances. In the context of the application I would think the story might have some " legs " and could make a nice piece to illustrate the foolishness of which we all know the visa section is capable from time to time.

Regards

[Templer]

My wife got her visa at the first attempt,

The Interviewer came across agressive,

and the questions were very rapid, I think this was done to un nerve her

She kept her cool , and answered at her own pace,

As Scoucer said fairly smart dress,

keep the gold and make up to a minimum, should help.

We got the visa within 3 hours of the interveiw.

Good Luck to you both

Templer

[brokenmoose]

Thanks again for the advice. This site had been invaluable to us both. Anyway after reading the latest posts my wife remembered that she has indeed performed for one of the British embassy fund raisers, as well as for the American embassy( the one that was rained out last year) and once for the German embassy too; all of which she did for free. She also works occasionally at a school for the poor kids of Kao San( children of the street vendors etc.), teaching them English through singing ( again for free). We left this out of our application too. oooops, I guess that might of been helpful info eh? Maybe she can try to bring it up in the interview.

Nice one, the moose

[brokenmoose]

New update. Its just becoming so much hassle. Man,a 3 month tourist visa; thats all we ask! Luckily we managed to change our flights to fit in with the interview......The Embassy has given us a list of things we need for the Interview.

1: What assets and property do you have in Thailand? We sent information in our application ( details of her will and land which will be left to her and her mothers life insurance). That is all she has so we wont be able to provide what they ask for.

2: Transcripts from Thai immigration for your husband's trips in/out of Thailand. We provided them with my flight tickets and bank statements highlighted with withdrawals in Thailand for the missing year. Between 2004-2007 all that is missing is one year of internal stamps.

3: Personal savings in Thailand. She has non ( this is making me worried now)

4: Evidence of employment. In our application, we have a new work contact which will start later in the year, detailing wages etc 50,000bht a month + accommodation, various past contracts from freelance work , VCD's and press cuttings of her performing in Bangkok. I suppose we had better get some letters from her current employers, because of her work (vocalist) she gets her money cash in hand and doesn't really use her bank account.

I guess we are going to struggle to get this information.........

We now have details... My wife did sing at the Pleonchit fair for the British embassy fund raising for the British Woman's club last year. I bet they were happy to be nice to her then...She would normally charge up to 10,000bht for a 2 set private gig, but regularly does free shows for charity.

Cheers

[the scouser]

BM,

If you've already submitted the information, there is nothing more you can do. If the visa officer has any doubts about the supporting evidence, he should put these concerns to your wife during the interview and she can truthfully explain the true nature of her circumstances. She can also ask whether it's possible to speak to the organiser of the fair as she needs to establish whether she's required to perform again this year.

Scouse.