Extension Compliance Interview

[spikky]

Hello,

I an an extension applicant and after 7 months have received a phone followed by e-mail to attend an interview with Visa Compliance officer and its in my registered office premises as I trade from home. I use a registered office and use coworking spaces for team meetings elsewhere although my registered office too offers meeting rooms which is where the interview is to be scheduled as they said that's what's listed on file.

Has anyone been through an interview like this? What location were you interviewed at? Is this something to worry about?

Any advice will be most appreciated.

Many thanks.

Spikky

[tierloop]

If you search the forum you would find that Most of the interviews are called whose registered business address are Home address.

[spikky]

Ok But my registered business is different from home address.

[Momi]

uk-tier-1-entrepreneur-visas/entreprene ... 39738.html

Yes more than 90% people working from home got interview call.
Have you been interviewed in initial application stage?
When they are coming?
Where you based?

[manu2017]

Hello,

I an an extension applicant and after 7 months have received a phone followed by e-mail to attend an interview with Visa Compliance officer and its in my registered office premises as I trade from home. I use a registered office and use coworking spaces for team meetings elsewhere although my registered office too offers meeting rooms which is where the interview is to be scheduled as they said that's what's listed on file.

Has anyone been through an interview like this? What location were you interviewed at? Is this something to worry about?

Any advice will be most appreciated.

Many thanks.

Spikky

I would suggest you to book any private meeting room within the building, as in the shared workspace you can't discuss the confidentially of the matter. Also please share your timeline please, did you apply in March ? Thanks

[spikky]

Yes have booked a meeting room for 2 hours at my Registered office address.

No. No interview during initial application. Based in London.

Timeline as follows

Application made - 14th March 2017
Biometric submitted - 18th April 2017
Complex letter dated - 26th April 2017
Interview call and e-mail - 9th October 2017
Interview scheduled at my registered address - 16th October 2017

[Momi]

I'm still surprised that how they are finding out that person has proper office or not.
In last 2 weeks I have seen 7 applicants who have been interviewed and all have shared spaces or virtual offices.

[manu2017]

Yes have booked a meeting room for 2 hours at my Registered office address.

No. No interview during initial application. Based in London.

Timeline as follows

Application made - 14th March 2017
Biometric submitted - 18th April 2017
Complex letter dated - 26th April 2017
Interview call and e-mail - 9th October 2017
Interview scheduled at my registered address - 16th October 2017

Best of luck, they have given you enough time to get prepared which is good. Also make sure you arrive the place well before the time and setup the things accordingly. BR

[manu2017]

I'm still surprised that how they are finding out that person has proper office or not.
In last 2 weeks I have seen 7 applicants who have been interviewed and all have shared spaces or virtual offices.

I think its random or may be they're calling the office providers and quering about the office spaces. Also its easy to find out if the space is from Regus offices or some other VO/shared workspace office providers.

[CULLINAN]

Yes have booked a meeting room for 2 hours at my Registered office address.

No. No interview during initial application. Based in London.

Timeline as follows

Application made - 14th March 2017
Biometric submitted - 18th April 2017
Complex letter dated - 26th April 2017
Interview call and e-mail - 9th October 2017
Interview scheduled at my registered address - 16th October 2017

You can search the forum for exact questions they will ask you. To be on the safe side you should book the room for more than 2 hours. I would book if for 4 hours. It took me almost 3 hours for the interview. Some reported 1.5hr - 3hrs. Some reported more than 3 hours also.

Goodluck!

[spikky]

I was told on the phone approximately 2 hours so i booked for 2 hours.
On the phone I was also asked where do i store my files if I use a reg office and work from home, I said its telecommuting, all virtual on the Internet and as and when required we use coworking spaces for team meetings. I was told its ok, to bring my laptop from which I do business. I said ok but did tell her my 6 year old laptop from Uni days gave away a few months ago and I have a new one but everything is on cloud so should be ok.

I am not worried about the interview as I know my business and being a media startup, my brand is all over on the internet and within London city. So without being overconfident, I'll just maintain my genuiness and give my best.

[CULLINAN]

I was told on the phone approximately 2 hours so i booked for 2 hours.
On the phone I was also asked where do i store my files if I use a reg office and work from home, I said its telecommuting, all virtual on the Internet and as and when required we use coworking spaces for team meetings. I was told its ok, to bring my laptop from which I do business. I said ok but did tell her my 6 year old laptop from Uni days gave away a few months ago and I have a new one but everything is on cloud so should be ok.

I am not worried about the interview as I know my business and being a media startup, my brand is all over on the internet and within London city. So without being overconfident, I'll just maintain my genuiness and give my best.

They have a set questionnaire which they will go through all the questions. The forum has reported exact questions which they will ask you.

You can prepare yourself then.

[spikky]

OK will go through. Many thanks.

[Momi]

How were your interview?

[sm12]

Hello Spikky

How was your interview?
Were you asked more questions about choosing to work from home?

[spikky]

The interview went ok. Same questionnaire as posted on these forums as the officer made notes. Lasted 1 hour 30 minutes. I was asked for a bunch of documents to be emailed which I scanned and sent it.
About work from home , I explained the nature of my business journalism/media production which required being on the move. Now a waiting game.

[samaygrg]

Hi there
Thanks for the sharing. I am in the similar boat. Hope you get bright results soon.Please keep posted.

[tierloop]

The interview went ok. Same questionnaire as posted on these forums as the officer made notes. Lasted 1 hour 30 minutes. I was asked for a bunch of documents to be emailed which I scanned and sent it.
About work from home , I explained the nature of my business journalism/media production which required being on the move. Now a waiting game.

Whatdocuments in specific were asked to be emailed?

[spikky]

A lot of documents that were required to be submitted during application were asked again and additionally some new.

Recent Business Bank Statements
3 years accounts/tax returns
Recent Payslips
Employee Job Agreements
Employee passports
If virtual office, rental agreement or subscription
Employee Timesheets tracking
Client Invoices

Hope that helps.

[tierloop]

Thanks

[sm12]

Thank you for the update.
Did they probe you a lot about your decision to opt for a virtual office?

[spikky]

Not as in 'probing' or intimidating but more like trying to understand the business. At the end of the day for many startups office premises is an overhead and I think they do recognize that.

[manu2017]

A lot of documents that were required to be submitted during application were asked again and additionally some new.

Recent Business Bank Statements
3 years accounts/tax returns
Recent Payslips
Employee Job Agreements
Employee passports
If virtual office, rental agreement or subscription
Employee Timesheets tracking
Client Invoices

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the brief list, one more thing as I have the VO. what you have submitted in term of VO rental agreement or subscription? also they didn't ask about the Client Contracts ? Thanks

[spikky]

For Virtual Office, I printed a pdf of my mail dated 3-4 years ago a direct debit subscription confirmation and recent e-mail also printed as pdf of increase to virtual office pricing. Hope that helps.