A full translation
The complete relevant document should be translated, not only selected sentences or fields.
Certified visa and immigration documents
Immigration Translation Services for Visa and Settlement Documents
Certified translation of personal, financial, academic, employment and legal documents for visa, settlement, citizenship, family, study and work applications.
- Full immigration document translation
- Certification details for verification
- Certified PDF and printed-copy options
- Standard and urgent turnaround routes
Visa and settlement
Personal and supporting application evidence
Certified documents
Prepared with identifying and verification details
Digital and postal
Certified PDF and printed-copy options
100+ languages
Availability confirmed after document review
Immigration translation explained
Certified translation for immigration applications
Immigration translation converts supporting evidence into English or another required language while preserving the complete meaning and visible details of the original document.
The translated document may accompany an application for a visa, settlement, citizenship, residency, family reunion, study, employment or another immigration route.
The exact documents and certification details depend on the route and the receiving organisation. Send the relevant instructions with your files rather than assuming that every application requires the same evidence.
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Complete document coverage
Relevant headings, stamps, seals, signatures, annotations and reverse-side information are included.
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Names and dates checked
Personal names, dates, document numbers and official references are checked against the source.
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Certification details
The completed translation can include the accuracy statement, date, identifying details and signature.
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Agreed delivery format
A certified PDF is supplied, with a printed hard copy arranged where the submission route requires one.
Independently verifiable translation
What a UKVI immigration translation should include
Published guidance focuses on a complete translation and clear information allowing the translator or translation company to be identified and contacted.
Accuracy confirmation
The translator or translation company confirms that the translation accurately reflects the original.
Translation date
The finished document should state the date on which the translation was completed.
Name and signature
The translator or authorised company representative is identified and signs the certification.
Contact details
Contact information is provided so the translation can be independently verified if necessary.
Choose your application context
Translation for visa, settlement and citizenship routes
The required evidence depends on the immigration route and the applicant’s individual circumstances.
Visitor and entry-clearance applications
Visa document translation
Supporting documents that are not in English or Welsh may need a complete certified translation. Translate only the evidence relevant to the route and submit the source document as instructed.
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Passports and identity documents
- Bank statements and financial records
- Employment and sponsor letters
- Accommodation evidence
- Academic and professional records
Long-term residence and nationality evidence
Settlement visa and citizenship translation
Settlement and citizenship applications may use civil-status, identity, relationship, residence, employment or financial evidence covering more than one stage of the applicant’s history.
- Birth and adoption records
- Marriage and divorce documents
- Name-change and family-register records
- Police certificates and legal records
- Residence and employment evidence
- Supporting declarations and correspondence
Relationship, education and employment routes
Spouse, family, student and work visa documents
These routes can involve evidence from several categories. Provide the route checklist so the correct documents, certification and delivery format can be confirmed before work begins.
- Relationship and family evidence
- Custody and consent documents
- Degrees, diplomas and transcripts
- Employment letters and contracts
- Professional qualifications
- Sponsorship and accommodation documents
Documents commonly translated
Immigration documents we can help with
The application route determines which documents are relevant. Send the complete evidence set and the written checklist where one is available.
Birth and adoption records
Birth certificates, adoption papers, parentage records and documents showing family relationships.
Marriage and divorce documents
Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, civil-partnership records and related family documents.
Passports and ID documents
Passport pages, national identity cards, residence documents and name-change records.
Police certificates and court records
Police-clearance certificates, criminal-record checks, court orders and legal declarations.
Degrees and transcripts
Degree certificates, diplomas, academic transcripts, enrolment letters and qualification records.
Bank and financial documents
Bank statements, tax records, pension documents, payslips and other financial evidence.
Employment and sponsor letters
Employment confirmations, salary letters, contracts, sponsorship statements and business records.
Housing and residence evidence
Tenancy documents, accommodation letters, residence records and related supporting material.
Letters, declarations and correspondence
Consent letters, statements, official correspondence, family evidence and other route-specific documents.
A clear online process
How immigration document translation works
The source document, intended application route, certification details and delivery format are reviewed as one complete request.
Upload the documents
Send clear scans, PDFs or photographs showing every relevant page and document edge.
Explain the application route
Identify the visa, settlement or citizenship route, recipient, deadline and delivery format.
Translation and checking
Names, dates, numbers, stamps, seals, signatures and official notes are translated and reviewed.
Receive the certified version
Receive the certified PDF, with a printed hard copy arranged where required.
Preparing your files
What to send before ordering
Complete files and clear route information help confirm the correct certification, turnaround and delivery arrangement before translation begins.
- Every relevant page, reverse side and attachment
- A clear scan, photograph, PDF or original digital file
- The source language and required target language
- The exact visa, settlement or citizenship route
- The organisation receiving the translation
- Your application deadline
- Any written certification or format instructions
- The required name spelling from your passport where relevant
Turnaround and delivery
Choose a service that suits your application deadline
Availability depends on the language, document length, clarity, certification requirements and time at which the order is confirmed.
The usual route for shorter immigration documents where the application deadline allows normal checking.
A faster route for suitable documents and languages, subject to review and confirmed availability.
Available for suitable urgent documents after the files, language and order time have been checked.
Select only the route required
Certified, notarised and apostille services are different
Do not add a separate formal process unless the receiving organisation or application instructions specifically ask for it.
Certified translation
A complete translation accompanied by a certification statement and details identifying who prepared it.
- Full translated document
- Accuracy confirmation
- Date and identifying details
- Signature and contact information
Notarised translation
Notarisation involves a notary and is not automatically required merely because a document is being used for immigration.
- Use only where specifically requested
- May require additional processing time
- Confirm the required notarisation format first
Apostille route
An apostille authenticates a public document for use under the applicable international process. It is separate from translating the document.
- Check which document requires the apostille
- Confirm the correct order of steps
- Allow additional processing and delivery time
Avoid preventable application delays
Common immigration translation mistakes
Translating only part of the document
Headings, stamps, notes and reverse-side text may form part of the evidence and should not be omitted.
Sending cropped or unclear files
Missing edges, blurred numbers or unreadable seals can prevent the complete document from being translated.
Using inconsistent name spellings
Provide the spelling already used in the passport and application records where appropriate.
Not identifying the application route
Visitor, spouse, settlement, student and work routes may request different evidence and formats.
Assuming every document needs translation
Use the route-specific evidence list and translate the documents that are relevant to the application.
Ordering unnecessary legalisation
Add notarisation or an apostille only when the written instructions require that separate process.
Related document services
Useful immigration and certified translation routes
Immigration document translation
Questions applicants often ask
Immigration translation services FAQs
Answers about visa evidence, settlement documents, certification details, file requirements, turnaround and delivery.
What is an immigration document translation?
It is a translation of evidence used for a visa, settlement, citizenship, residency, family, study or work application. A certified version also includes details identifying who prepared the translation and confirming its accuracy.
Do immigration documents need certified translations?
Where supporting evidence is not in the language required by the application route, a complete certified translation may be needed. Check the current instructions for your specific route before deciding which documents to translate.
What does “UKVI-approved translator” mean?
The practical issue is whether the translation meets the published requirements for the application. A full independently verifiable translation should include confirmation of accuracy, the translation date, identifying details, a signature and contact information.
Can you provide settlement visa translation?
Yes. Settlement-related documents can include civil-status records, identity evidence, relationship documents, police certificates, employment records, financial evidence and other route-specific supporting documents.
What immigration documents can be translated?
Common documents include birth, marriage and divorce records, passports, identity cards, police certificates, degrees, transcripts, bank statements, employment letters, sponsor documents and supporting declarations.
Do I need to send the original document?
A clear scan, PDF or photograph is normally enough to prepare the translation. The original source document must still be submitted with the translation when the application instructions require it.
Can stamps, seals and handwritten notes be translated?
Visible and relevant stamps, seals, signatures, annotations, reference numbers and handwritten notes can be translated where they are sufficiently clear to read.
How long does immigration translation take?
Standard service for shorter documents is usually two to three working days. Express service in one working day and same-day service within 24 hours may be available after the files, language and deadline have been reviewed.
Can I receive a PDF and printed copy?
Yes. A certified PDF can be supplied by email, and a printed hard copy can be arranged when the receiving organisation or submission route requests physical delivery.
Can several immigration documents be ordered together?
Yes. Send the complete document set as one request so the language, certification, name consistency, turnaround and delivery requirements can be reviewed together.
Send your documents securely
Start your immigration translation order
Upload the complete documents, identify the application route and include your deadline and certification instructions. The price, service level and delivery timeline can then be confirmed.