UK passport interview – Everything you need to know

Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by Michelle Krause

Once you understand the reason for a UK passport Interview, what is expected of you, and what you can expect, the pressure eases and you can complete your passport interview without any nerves.  While a passport interview should be no cause for anxiety, many applicants experience a sense of overwhelming pressure when invited to one.  Interviews are often thought to be a gentler form of interrogation which, when it comes to HM Passport Office, is most certainly not the case.  We will run through some of the topics that generally rack the nerves of those attending a UK Passport Interview, and shed a little more light on them. 

Is there an interview for every British passport?

No, UK passport interviews are only for first-time applicants over the age of 16.  If you are over the age of 16 and you are applying for your first British passport, you may be requested to attend an interview.  Only after submitting your application, might you receive a letter requesting that you attend an interview.  It is not a guarantee that you will be requested to attend the Interview, but if you are, enjoy the process, it’s something that you will only have to do once.  Renewing your UK passport from the USA? Find out more here.

Will my UK Passport Interview be face-to-face? 

Over the past months, face-to-face interviews have been more challenging, however, there are now four different methods in which your UK passport interview may be conducted. These are: 

• Face-to-face interviews in the UK
• Video Interview Service (VIS) for Remote UK Applications
• Video Interview Service (VIS) for Overseas Applicants which is conducted by a Visa Application Office
• Telephone Interview Service is available exclusively for overseas applicants in Canada, the United States of America and Australia. 

The interview location depends on whether you are based in the UK, or overseas. 

Can you fail a UK passport interview?

It is highly unlikely that you will not be granted your passport after a UK passport Interview.  There are very limited reasons as to why your UK Passport may not be granted after your UK Passport Interview.  The reasons must be proportionate and necessary. This is not an eligibility test, but rather a confirmation of identity.  This is an incredibly important part of the process. These are the reasons why a UK passport Interview is conducted:

• To confirm that person who is being interviewed is, in fact, the rightful holder of the identity claimed in the application
• To confirm that a parent (who would attend the interview) is related to the child for whom the application has been submitted, as is claimed 
• To ensure that the passport is issued to the correct person 

What happens at a UK Passport Interview?

Your UK passport Interview can either be conducted online or in person.  In either case, you can expect:

• to be asked for your full name and also the correct spelling of your name
• to be asked for the date that you arrived in the UK if you were not born in the United Kingdom
• to be asked for your household bills
• to be asked about your finances (ie. household bills)
• to be asked about your partner and/or spouse
• to be asked about your children and/or parents

The official will also compare your face to the facial image available submitted along with your UK passport application.  You will be asked to sign your signature, to be compared to the signature that they have on file. This will be kept on record.  It is so important to know this information and to be prepared for them. Ensure that you have the correct answers to each of these questions.  Each UK Passport Interview is recorded and kept on record for 28 days unless a copy is requested by the UK Counter Fraud Team.  Although you should have no reason to be dishonest about these things if you are eligible for a UK Passport Document.  If, however, an official has reason to believe that you are being dishonest at any point, this is one of the very few reasons to have your application rejected.  As we mentioned earlier, there are very few things that result in an unsuccessful UK Passport Interview. One such instance is a result of having a warrant of arrest issued in your name for, or on suspicion of a serious crime. Effectively this restricts your movement to foreign countries which may prevent an individual from the consequence as per British Law. 

How long does will my Passport Interview take? 

UK passport interviews usually take between 10 and 30 minutes. In some instances, they may be quicker than 10 minutes or longer than 30 minutes depending on the circumstance.  This process is as long as it takes to properly verify your information.  Understanding the process should relieve the pressure of having to attend your UK Passport Interview.  If you are honest and provide accurate information with your application and answer the questions asked, truthfully, your UK Passport Interview will be a breeze and you will be able to enjoy your travels abroad in no time.  Renewing your British passport from South Africa? Click here for more information.

Conclusion: UK Passport Interview

The UK passport interview process can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right guidance and information, your UK passport interview process should be a breeze. We’ve covered what you need to know about interviews in this post for British nationals who are applying for their first or second adult passport from outside of the United Kingdom. Remember – if at any point something doesn’t make sense or if there’s a question we didn’t cover that you want to be answered, just contact us here at MyBritishPassport and we’ll do everything possible to answer them!

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