UK visit visa - interview fee?

[billybatson]

As I understand it, its very rare for applicants to be interviewed for a general visit visa application, but if they are interviewed, is there a fee to be paid?

Is this not covered in the application fee (online fee) already ?

[thomasteve]

No extra fees should be paid to anyone.

[billybatson]

That's what I thought. My GF thinks she has to pay for an interview (>3000 baht I think she said). She's getting her info from some family and online (Thai websites) so its hard for me to knock it down without any clear info on the UK visa sites (and I haven't seen any).

[theoldgit]

That's what I thought. My GF thinks she has to pay for an interview (>3000 baht I think she said). She's getting her info from some family and online (Thai websites) so its hard for me to knock it down without any clear info on the UK visa sites (and I haven't seen any).

Unfortunately the UKVI and VFS websites have very little information of any use on them, you are encouraged to make premium rate phone calls or pay to use web chats if you have a question.

Sadly the Thai jungle drums are unreliable and alarmist and in extreme cases seem designed to extract cash from hapless sponsors.

Interviews are extremely rare, whilst on rare occasions an applicant may receive a phone call if there is something in their application that needs clarification, I have never been aware of an applicant being asked to attend an interview.

What I can tell you that if an interview should be required there is no extra charge, tell your girlfriend not to worry, it's not going to happen.

[SantiSuk]

For avoidance of doubt your wife will have to attend the VFS centre to submit her application and it is possible that questions will be asked about the documents being submitted*. She will also be asked to give fingerprints. Maybe that is the source of the jungle drum confusion.

*That said, my wife attended/submitted 2 weeks ago and was asked no questions (unlike at past submission visits), so maybe there is no longer any intention to interview' at document submission visits any longer

[billybatson]

This is causing big arguments. She's sent me a link to a Thai travel site, where it talks about this fee (3,900 Bhat).

http://www.thaitravelcenter.com/visa/th/detail.asp?id=15

Can anyone decipher this?

I see something about a biometrics visa (which I know isn't the same as tourist visa), but she says it talks about tourist visa.

[billybatson]

I'm now thinking this travel site just has out-dated information on it. They simply haven't updated it since the visa payment changes were made (from Jan 2014, all payments for uk visas now have to be made online). I'm guessing the 3900 baht is roughly what it used to cost in the old system, where you pay by cheque, made out to the Embassy.

Massive confusion caused by out-of date information. But just try telling Thais that they are wrong

[theoldgit]

That information is years old and announced that the UKBA, as was, were introducing a system whereby all applicants have to visit the Visa Application Centre in person, before that anybody could drop an application off.

When biometric visas were introduced the applicant had to visit the Visa Application Centre to have their biometric details captured, finger prints and iris scans, the cost of that process was included, and still is, in the application fee.

The system changed some years ago, at least seven to my knowledge.

The link you have provided mentions the old VFS office.

I can assure you that your girlfriend has got the wrong end of the stick, I will leave it to you to explain to her.

[nonthaburial]

It's my belief, because we had to do it, and that is a personal visit is required, the applicant submits their documentation then after checking, a biometric check/ test is carried out then documents sealed in a courier bag and sent to embassy VHS duties are then completed and decision now up to embassy

[cornishcarlos]

VFS staff are not allowed to question the applicant about any of their supporting documents. If you have the obligitory set of docs reqd, any further evidence is up to you.

Once the application is with the embassy, they might call to clarify any points that are not clear.

Interview?

[nonthaburial]

It's my belief, because we had to do it, and that is a personal visit is required, the applicant submits their documentation then after checking, a biometric check/ test is carried out then documents sealed in a courier bag and sent to embassy VHS duties are then completed and decision now up to embassy

[billybatson]

Thanks guys.