Translating Documents for a UK Visa Application: What the Home Office Asks For

Every year, UK visa applications are delayed because a supporting document was not in English or Welsh, or its translation did not include the right details. The rules are not complicated, but they are strict.

The basic rule

Any document you submit that is not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified. Home Office guidance says each translation must contain:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document;
• the date of the translation;
• the translator's full name and signature;
• the translator's contact details.

If you are applying from outside the UK, check the specific guidance for your visa route, because some routes add further requirements.

Documents that usually need translating

• birth and marriage certificates (family and spouse visas);
• bank statements and payslips (financial requirement);
• degree certificates and transcripts (student and skilled worker routes);
• police certificates and divorce certificates;
• tenancy agreements and employer letters.

Can I translate my own documents?

No. The translation must come from a translator who can be independently contacted. A translation by you, a relative, or a free online tool will not meet the requirement.

Using a translation agency

An agency produces the translation and the signed statement together. Espresso Translations (espressotranslations.co.uk) provides certified visa translations that include the translator's statement of accuracy, date, name, signature and contact details. It is certified to ISO 17100, every translation is proofread by a second linguist, and it works in more than 150 languages. Certified translations are £30 per page (up to 250 words), delivered in 24 to 48 hours.

A checklist before you submit

1. Every page translated, including stamps, seals and handwritten notes.
2. Names match your passport spelling exactly.
3. The statement of accuracy is signed and dated.
4. The translator's contact details are on the document.
5. You have both the original and the translation ready to upload.

Getting this right first time is cheaper than a refusal or a request for further information that pauses your application.