Certified Translation for Visa: Complete UK Guide by Visa Type
Here's the thing that catches people out. The documents you need to translate aren't the same for every visa. A student visa application doesn't have the same requirements as a spouse visa. A skilled worker application looks different from a settlement application. And UKVI doesn't always make this obvious.
The consequences of getting it wrong — submitting uncertified translations where certified were required, or missing a document that needed translation entirely — are a refused or delayed application. Which means more money, more time, and a fresh start.
This guide breaks it down by visa type, so you know exactly what you're dealing with before you submit anything.
Student Visa Documents That Require Certified Translation
International students applying for a UK Student Visa (formerly Tier 4) frequently underestimate the translation requirements. Universities often check documents at offer stage; UKVI checks them again at visa stage. The standards aren't always identical.
Documents that typically require certified translation for visa purposes in student visa applications include:
Academic transcripts and degree certificates — if these are in a language other than English, UKVI requires a professional certified translation. This applies whether you're using them to satisfy entry requirements or as part of your supporting evidence.
Bank statements in a foreign language — financial evidence showing you can support yourself during study must be translated if issued in a non-English language. The translation needs to show account holder name, account number, currency, transactions, and closing balance.
Birth certificate — less commonly required at initial student visa stage, but mandatory for dependants and sometimes for identity verification.
Sponsor letters or family financial support letters — if these originate in a non-English language, translation is required.
The CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter from your university is in English and doesn't need translation. But everything else that's in another language does.
Spouse and Family Visa Translation Requirements Explained
Spouse and partner visa applications carry some of the most comprehensive translation requirements of any UK visa category. The Home Office needs to verify the relationship, the financial position, and often the identity and status of both parties.
For most spouse and family visa applications, the following documents require certified translation when issued in a non-English language:
Marriage certificate — the foundational document for a spouse visa. Translation must include all text: parties' names, date, location, officiating authority, witnesses, and any stamps or official seals.
Birth certificates — for the applicant, the sponsor, and any dependent children being included in the application.
Divorce decrees or death certificates — if either party was previously married, evidence of the prior relationship ending is required and must be translated.
Financial documents — payslips, bank statements, employment contracts, and self-employment evidence in foreign languages all require translation.
Accommodation documents — tenancy agreements or property ownership documents in foreign languages need translation.
Birth certificate translation UK for spouse visa applications is one of the most consistently required translations. It seems routine — until an inconsistency between the translated name and the passport name triggers a query from UKVI.
Skilled Worker Visa: Documents That Must Be Certified Translated
The Skilled Worker Visa (formerly Tier 2 General) operates on a points-based system. Most of the points come from employment, qualifications, and salary — which means the documents that prove these elements are the ones that matter most.
Documents requiring certified translation in skilled worker applications typically include:
Academic and professional qualifications — degree certificates, diplomas, and professional certifications issued outside the UK need certified translation if not in English. If you're relying on overseas qualifications for points, the translation needs to be accurate enough for UKVI to verify the qualification level and subject.
Employment records from overseas — previous employment contracts, payslips, or reference letters in foreign languages require translation when used as supporting evidence.
Police certificates — criminal record checks from countries of previous residence must be translated if issued in a non-English language.
Identity documents — a passport doesn't need translation, but national ID cards in non-Latin scripts may.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer is in English. The employer's right-to-work documentation doesn't affect the applicant directly. But anything the applicant submits from an overseas source, in a non-English language, needs certified translation.
Settlement Visa and ILR Translation Requirements in the UK
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settlement visas represent the longest-term immigration applications most people ever make. The documentary requirements are correspondingly thorough.
At settlement stage, UKVI wants to verify the complete immigration history and personal circumstances of the applicant. Documents that require certified translation include:
Birth certificate — identity verification at settlement stage is taken seriously. A birth certificate translation must be accurate, complete, and include the translator's full certification statement.
Marriage or civil partnership certificate — for applications based on a long-term relationship.
Documents from overseas authorities — police certificates, court records, or government correspondence that are part of the application.
Evidence of continuous residence — overseas employment records, bank statements, or other documents demonstrating presence in the UK or abroad during the qualifying period.
For long residence settlement applications (typically ten years), some supporting evidence may span years and originate from multiple countries, requiring translations in multiple language pairs. Consistency in how names and dates are rendered across all translated documents matters as much as the quality of any individual translation.
Trusted visa translation services that are familiar with UKVI requirements across different visa categories produce documents that are formatted correctly for their specific application type — which is worth considerably more than a technically accurate translation that doesn't meet the submission format UKVI expects.
