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Asylum Interpreter
Trusted by solicitors, immigration advisers and asylum applicants across the UK. Every interpreter is NRPSI registered with a minimum of five years’ professional experience and bound by a strict code of conduct on impartiality and confidentiality.
Quick answer: Our interpreters in London cost £35–£45 per hour, face-to-face (two-hour minimum), by phone or by video, with no VAT added. All our interpreters are NRPSI registered. Send the date, place and type of appointment and we confirm a fixed price, usually within 30 minutes.
Law firms, courts, the NHS
and businesses across the UK.
We’ve provided certified translators and interpreters, including Urdu interpreting, for solicitors, court hearings, hospital teams and corporate clients. Here are some of the organisations we’ve worked for.
- EYEYProfessional services
- HMCTSHMCTS · Wood Green Crown CourtCourt interpreting
- Sterling LawSterling LawLaw firm
- Royal MarsdenRoyal Marsden NHS Foundation TrustHealthcare
- AmicusAmicus Solicitors LtdLaw firm
- A*liveA*liveClient
- HovisHovis BakeriesFood manufacturing
- Dawson CornwellDawson CornwellLaw firm
- PhoenixPhoenix Dyslexia ConsultingConsultancy
- John BlackJohn Black SolicitorsLaw firm
- Criminal DefenceCriminal Defence SolicitorsLaw firm
- RDACRDACDriving assessments
- Infinity DentalInfinity Dental Care LondonDental clinic
- MantonManton ExecutivesClient
- Harris WatersQualitySolicitors Harris WatersLaw firm
- Din SolicitorsDin SolicitorsLaw firm
- KrinkelsKrinkels UKLandscaping
Organisation names and trade marks belong to their respective owners. They are listed as a factual record of work we have carried out and do not imply endorsement of, or affiliation with, Translations London.
Looking for an asylum interpreter? We provide NRPSI-registered interpreters for solicitor consultations, asylum interview preparation, and First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) hearings, in over 200 languages, UK-wide. If you need an interpreter for asylum interview preparation with your legal representative — rather than the interpreter the Home Office provides on the day — this is the service to book. Free quote in 30 minutes.
Last updated: 24 September 2026 · Reviewed by IM Translation Services Ltd, NRPSI-registered interpreting team · Company No. 17089852
Important — how asylum interview interpreting actually works: Under Home Office guidance, the interpreter used inside your Home Office screening or substantive asylum interview is booked and paid for by the Home Office itself, through its Interpreter & Language Services Unit — you cannot bring your own interpreter to replace this one. What we provide is the interpreter around that process: for preparing with your solicitor beforehand, for private legal consultations, for screening interview support, and for First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) appeal hearings, where you or your representative do choose the interpreter. We explain this clearly so you book the right service the first time.
Prices
Asylum Interpreter Costs
All rates are guide prices — exact quotes confirmed before booking. No hidden fees.
Solicitor consultations, interview preparation and tribunal hearings, attended in person by an NRPSI registered interpreter.
| Service | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Face-to-face interpreting | £35–£45 per hour | Two-hour minimum booking |
| Telephone interpreting | £35–£45 per hour | No travel costs |
| Video interpreting (Zoom, Teams, etc.) | £35–£45 per hour | No travel costs |
| Travel time | £18 per hour | Face-to-face bookings only |
| Mileage | 55p per mile | Face-to-face bookings only |
| Urgent, out-of-hours or rare language | Fixed all-inclusive quote | We confirm the full price before booking |
200+
Languages covered
NRPSI
Registered interpreters
30 min
Typical quote time
£35–£45
Per page or per hour
What Does an Asylum Interpreter Do?
Solicitor Consultations
Private, confidential interpreting for meetings with your immigration solicitor or adviser, so you can explain your case fully and understand the advice you’re given.
- Confidential & impartial
- Immigration & asylum terminology
- In person or by video
Asylum Interview Preparation
An interpreter for asylum interview preparation with your solicitor — going through your statement and the interview process together, in your own language, before the day itself.
- Statement & evidence review
- Process explained clearly
- Booked around your solicitor’s availability
First-tier Tribunal Hearings
Interpreters for First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) appeal hearings, working alongside your barrister or solicitor, in person or by video conference.
- Tribunal hearing experience
- In person or VC hearings
- Works alongside your barrister
Screening Interview Support
Interpreting support around your initial screening appointment — including explaining the process to you and your family beforehand, where a solicitor has instructed us to assist.
- Process explanation
- Family-sensitive approach
- Solicitor-instructed
Video Remote Interpreting
Video interpreting for remote consultations and video-conference tribunal hearings, wherever you or your solicitor are based in the UK.
- Zoom, Teams & secure platforms
- UK-wide, no travel needed
- Same-day often possible
Telephone Interpreting
Instant telephone interpreting for urgent calls with your solicitor, a support organisation, or anywhere a quick conversation is needed without a booked appointment.
- Available 7 days a week
- Instant connection
- No appointment needed
Who Books an Asylum Interpreter Through Us?
Immigration Solicitors & Barristers
Client conferences, statement-taking and tribunal hearings, with interpreters familiar with asylum casework and terminology.
NGOs & Refugee Support Charities
Casework appointments and advice sessions for organisations supporting asylum seekers and refugees across the UK.
Asylum Applicants & Families
Private bookings for individuals who want their own interpreter for a solicitor meeting or personal support, independent of any institution.
How Interpreting Works at a Home Office Asylum Interview
According to current Home Office guidance for caseworkers (Asylum interviews, updated 16 October 2025), an interpreter is arranged by the Home Office through its Interpreter & Language Services Unit for every asylum interview conducted in a language other than English. This is set out under paragraphs 339NA to 339ND of the Immigration Rules, which cover the interview process and confidentiality requirements.
You can request a male or female interviewer and interpreter — you’re asked at the screening interview, and again in your invitation to the substantive interview. The Home Office will try to accommodate this where operationally possible.
If a claimant and the Home Office’s interpreter don’t understand each other clearly, the interview must be suspended and rearranged. Interview transcripts are sent to the claimant and their immigration adviser, usually within 7 days.
This is why our role sits around the Home Office interview rather than inside it — preparing you beforehand with your solicitor, and representing your language needs at the stages where you do choose the interpreter, such as tribunal appeals.
This is general information, not legal advice. Individual cases vary. Your immigration solicitor or adviser can confirm exactly what applies to your specific asylum claim.
Why Solicitors Choose Our Asylum Interpreters
- Every interpreter we place holds NRPSI accreditation — the National Register of Public Service Interpreters — with a minimum of five years’ professional experience. This is the benchmark UK courts and public bodies expect.
- We’re upfront that the Home Office provides the interpreter inside your asylum interview itself. We tell you clearly where our interpreters fit — preparation, consultations and tribunal hearings — so you book the right service.
- Our interpreters regularly work First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) hearings and immigration solicitor consultations, so they understand the process, the terminology, and what’s at stake.
- Coverage includes the languages most represented in UK asylum claims — Arabic, Farsi/Persian, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Kurdish (Kurmanji and Sorani), Somali, Amharic and Albanian — alongside 200+ others.
- For any appointment where you choose the interpreter — a consultation, preparation session or tribunal hearing — we ask your gender preference at the time of booking and do our best to match it.
NRPSI Interpreter vs Unregistered Alternatives
| Feature | Our NRPSI Interpreter | Family Member / Friend | Unregistered Interpreter |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRPSI registered | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Impartial, no personal interest in outcome | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Varies |
| Bound by formal code of conduct | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Professional indemnity insurance | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Experienced in asylum/tribunal terminology | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Varies |
| Accepted by solicitors & tribunals | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually not | ❌ Usually not |
Client reviews
What our clients say
These reviews were left by real clients of IM Translation Services Ltd on Google and are shown as written. Read all our reviews on Google.
★★★★★
“We brought in this team for a two-day assignment. Our client needed an interpreter throughout, and they delivered without a single issue. Punctual, professional, and the interpreter handled some fairly technical legal discussion without missing a beat.”
John Black
John Black Solicitors · interpreting · Google review
★★★★★
“English is not my first language and the legal process here was quite confusing. The interpreter was patient, not just translating words but making sure I understood what was going on. The price was fair, no surprises at the end.”
Vladimir
Private client, London · interpreting · Google review
★★★★★
“I had an excellent experience with IM translation services. They delivered fast, professional, and reliable service at a very reasonable rate. Communication was smooth, and everything was handled efficiently without any delays.”
Hiba Noor
Translation and interpreting · Google review
★★★★★
“Excellent service! Very professional.”
Iqbal Hussain
Interpreting · Google review
★★★★★
“Very affordable and professional.”
WOR2consultants
Business client · Google review
Organisations we have worked with
- EY
- Hovis Bakeries
- HMCTS – Wood Green Crown Court
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Sterling Law
- Amicus Solicitors
- Dawson Cornwell
- John Black Solicitors
- QualitySolicitors Harris Waters
- Din Solicitors
- Criminal Defence Solicitors
- Infinity Dental Care London
- RDAC
- Krinkels UK
- Phoenix Dyslexia Consulting
- Manton Executives
What our clients say
Real reviews from our Google Business Profile, plus two testimonials clients sent to us directly. Every review is shown word for word. Tap a reviewer’s name to see their review on Google.
I had an excellent experience with IM translation services. They delivered fast, professional, and reliable service at a very reasonable rate. Communication was smooth, and everything was handled efficiently without any delays. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality work at a fair price.
Translation accepted fews days after sending it to the Passport Office. Good service and good customer service. I recommend them.
We brought in this team for a two-day assignment — our client needed an interpreter throughout, and they delivered without a single issue. Punctual, professional, and the interpreter handled some fairly technical legal discussion without missing a beat. We’ll be using them again.
Thank you very much everything was perfect I will definitely be using you in the future 💯⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent service! Very professional
English is not my first language and the legal process here was quite confusing. The interpreter was patient — not just translating words but actually making sure I understood what was going on. The price was fair, no surprises at the end. I would use them again without hesitation.
very affordable and professional
Good communication and prompt payment for a Polish-English translation project.
FAQ
Asylum Interpreter: common questions
Will you provide the interpreter at my actual Home Office asylum interview?
No — under Home Office guidance, the Interpreter & Language Services Unit (ILSU) books and pays for the interpreter used inside the asylum interview itself, and you cannot bring your own. Our interpreters support you around that interview: preparation with your solicitor, private consultations, tribunal hearings, and any stage where you or your representative choose the interpreter.
What is an interpreter for asylum interview preparation used for?
An interpreter for asylum interview preparation sits with you and your solicitor before the Home Office interview, so you can go through your statement, understand the process, and communicate fully with your legal representative in your own language. This is separate from the interpreter the Home Office provides on the day.
Can I request a male or female interpreter for my asylum interview?
Yes. Home Office guidance confirms claimants can request a male or female interviewer and interpreter, both at the screening stage and again in the invitation to interview. The Home Office will try to accommodate this request for the interpreter it provides; where you’re booking your own interpreter for a consultation or tribunal hearing, we ask your gender preference at the time of booking.
Do you provide interpreters for asylum tribunal appeals?
Yes. We provide NRPSI registered interpreters for First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) hearings, working alongside your barrister or solicitor. This is separate from Home Office asylum interviews, where the interpreter is provided by the Home Office itself.
How much does an asylum interpreter cost?
On-site interpreting for legal and tribunal settings, including asylum-related work, starts from £45–55 per hour. Video remote interpreting is £40–48 per hour. Telephone interpreting is available from £35 per hour with no minimum charge. Every booking receives an itemised quote before confirmation.
What languages do you cover for asylum interpreting?
Over 200 languages and dialects, including Arabic, Farsi/Persian, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Kurdish (Kurmanji and Sorani), Somali, Amharic, Albanian, Vietnamese, Urdu and Punjabi — reflecting the countries of origin most represented in UK asylum claims. If your language is rare, contact us and we’ll confirm availability, usually within the hour.
Can a family member interpret at my asylum interview instead?
For the Home Office interview itself, the interpreter is provided by the Home Office, not chosen by you. Separately, using a family member to interpret for legal advice or sensitive disclosure is generally discouraged, since it can compromise confidentiality, impartiality, and a claimant’s willingness to disclose sensitive information such as experiences of persecution or sexual violence.
Free quote
Tell us what you need
Send the language, the date and a few details. We reply with a fixed price, usually within 30 minutes during opening hours. There is no obligation and no VAT added, as we are not VAT registered.
- Phone: 0161 826 1333
- WhatsApp: message us
- Email: contact@translationslondon.uk
- Office (by appointment): Office 17690, 182–184 High Street North, East Ham, London E6 2JA
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–4pm