Do you translate simplified and traditional Chinese?
Yes. We translate both simplified Chinese (mainland China) and traditional Chinese (Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan).
China: UK Visa Translation Guide
Chinese to English translation guide for UK visas. Hukou booklets, notarised certificates, degree certs. From £12.99/page UKVI accepted.
By Felipe Menendez, Head of TranslationPublished
China is the UK's second-largest source country for study visas, behind India. Chinese applicants take about 21% of all study grants in 2025 (Home Office data). The real challenge for Chinese applicants isn't the language, though. It's the document formats. Mainland Chinese civil records usually arrive as notarised extracts (公证) issued by Chinese notary offices, not as original certificates. Hukou booklets are a multi-page family register that don't quite match anything else. This guide covers all of it.
What Chinese documents need translation for UK visas?
Chinese documents that need translation include notarised birth certificates, hukou (household registration), degree certificates, bank statements, and marriage certificates. Chinese documents often come pre-notarised by Chinese notary offices.
Mainland Chinese documents use simplified characters (简体字). Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau use traditional (繁體字). Almost all of them need certified English translation for UKVI. Even when they appear bilingual, the English elements are usually summaries rather than the full binding content.
The quirk that catches first-time applicants is the Chinese notarisation system. Chinese 公证处 (notary offices) issue notarised extracts of civil documents like birth certificates, degree certificates, and marriage records. These notarised extracts are themselves the document UK applicants submit. They still need certified English translation on top, because Chinese notarisation isn't the same thing as UK certified translation.
- Notarised birth certificate extracts (出生公证)
- Hukou — household registration booklet (户口本)
- Degree certificates (学位证书) and diplomas (毕业证书)
- Academic transcripts (成绩单)
- Marriage certificates (结婚证)
- Bank statements from Chinese banks
- Police clearance certificates (无犯罪记录证明)
- Employment verification letters
- Business licences (for business visitors)
Do I need to translate my hukou?
If you are submitting your hukou (household registration) as part of your UK visa application, yes — it needs a certified English translation. The hukou is often needed for student and family visa applications.
The hukou (户口本) is a unique Chinese document. It records household members, their relationships, and their registered address. It is sometimes needed as supporting evidence for student visa applications (to confirm family details) and for financial sponsorship.
Tips for Chinese applicants
Get your Chinese notarised documents early from the local 公证处. Make sure your bank statements cover the required period. Academic transcripts may need UK ENIC assessment alongside translation for some universities.
Chinese applicants should plan ahead for document preparation. Notarised documents from Chinese notary offices can take 1–2 weeks to get. Order translations as soon as you receive your documents.
If you are applying for a student visa, check whether your university needs UK ENIC assessment alongside certified translation. Some universities accept translated qualifications directly. Others need the extra ENIC comparability statement.
About the author
Felipe Menendez
Head of Translation, VisaDocTranslation
Felipe leads the translation team at VisaDocTranslation, overseeing certified translations for UK visa, Home Office and HMCTS submissions. He sets the quality standards every translation is checked against and writes about what UKVI caseworkers actually look for.
More about our teamFrequently Asked Questions
What is a Chinese notarised document?
Chinese notary offices (公证处) issue certified copies of civil documents like birth certificates and degree certificates. These notarised copies still need certified English translation for UK visa applications.
How much does Chinese to English translation cost?
Chinese to English certified translation costs from £12.99 per page — the same rate as all languages.
Do UK universities require UK ENIC assessment for Chinese degrees?
Some universities ask for UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) comparability statements. Check with your university. We provide the translation; UK ENIC assessment is a separate process.
Can you translate Chinese bank statements?
Yes. We translate bank statements from all Chinese banks. Make sure your statements cover the required period for your visa type.
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