UK Marriage Visa Interview: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The UK Spouse visa interview becomes necessary for certain applicants seeking the Spouse visa, serving as an additional requirement in the visa application process, and is scheduled by UK Visas and Immigration only if there are suspicions regarding the authenticity of the relationship. Not all applicants will be called for an interview, but you’re more likely to receive an invitation if certain factors raise concerns.

Common triggers for interview requests include relationship timelines that seem unusual or rushed, marriages that occurred soon after meeting, cultural or language differences between partners, unclear financial documents, previous visa refusals, or situations where the UK-based sponsor has previously sponsored another partner. Noticeable differences in age, culture, religion and education between you and your spouse may also prompt officials to request an interview.

The interview can be conducted face-to-face or over the phone, and covers various aspects of the couple’s life together, including their history, daily life, and future plans. Interviews typically last 30-60 minutes, during which the officer will cross-check your answers against your application and supporting documents. For applications made from outside the UK, the interview is usually conducted at a visa application centre in your home country.

During your spouse visa interview, the Entry Clearance Officer will ask a range of questions about the background to your relationship including how and when you met and how often you meet, your general background, family and immigration history, and your partner’s general background, family and immigration history. Frequently asked questions include the history of your relationship and how you met, details about your home or flat, the arrangements you and your partner have made regarding your civil partnership or marriage, your future plans together, when and where you first met, your partner’s occupation and where you both reside, the length of your relationship, and whether you share the same language.

It’s important to note that partners will often be interviewed separately to identify any inconsistencies in responses. The interviewer will most likely already know the answer to most questions from background checks and through the information you have provided, so it is always advisable to be honest.

The key to a successful interview is thorough preparation. Research the interview questions and your responses beforehand, as this will help you to be more confident about what you’re going to say and reduce the chances of being caught out by a question you may struggle to answer on the spot, with responses that should be concise, to the point, and not give the interviewer any unnecessary information.

Being consistent in your answers is crucial, as contradictions raise suspicion . It is advisable to bring as many supporting documents as possible to your interview, including evidence you have lived together for at least two years, bank statements and payslips showing you meet financial requirements, details of any children coming to the UK, evidence of your travel together, and letters from friends and family vouching for the genuineness of your relationship.

The interviewer is not interested in whether you have a perfect marriage, they just want to know if your marriage is genuine and not a sham. Stay calm, maintain eye contact, dress formally, and answer questions honestly without providing unnecessary information that wasn’t requested.