Can I send a paper translation in response to an RFI?
Only if the RFI explicitly asks for paper. Most modern UKVI RFIs accept digital PDF submitted through the visa portal or by email. Paper adds 5–7 days for postal handling.
What to Do If UKVI Requests Further Information on Your Translation
Last updated: May 2026
A request for further information (RFI) from UKVI is a pause, not a refusal. The caseworker has spotted something in your file they want clarified before they decide. Translation-related RFIs are common, and most are fixable inside a week if you move quickly. The good news: a clean RFI response usually leads to approval. The trick is reading the request properly and turning it round before the deadline.
What does a UKVI RFI on a translation actually look like?
A UKVI translation RFI usually asks for a 'certified translation' or 'compliant translation' of a specific document, with a 14–21 day deadline. The wording is often generic, which means you should assume the existing translation failed compliance, not just quality.
RFIs about translation come in a few standard wordings. The most common is 'Please provide a certified translation of [document name].' That phrasing tells you the existing translation didn't meet UKVI's procedural bar. It doesn't tell you which bar; that you have to figure out for yourself.
The second pattern is more specific: 'The translation of [document] does not appear to be certified.' That's UKVI flagging a missing statement of accuracy or missing translator credentials. Fix it by ordering a fully compliant version from a provider who includes the statement and credentials in the per-page price.
The third pattern is the linguistic one: 'Please confirm the accuracy of the translation of [specific phrase].' This is rare. When it does happen it usually means the caseworker spotted a discrepancy between the translation and what they expected, such as a name spelt one way on the original and differently on the translation. Address it by asking your provider to either confirm the original spelling or issue a corrected version with a translator's note explaining the variation.
How quickly do I need to respond?
UKVI RFIs typically give a 14–21 day response window. The deadline runs from the date on the RFI letter, not from when you read it. Reply early. Even partial replies inside the window are usually accepted, and silence after the deadline triggers refusal.
The clock starts when UKVI dates the RFI, not when you check your inbox. RFIs sometimes sit in junk folders for days before someone notices. By the time you're aware of the request you may have 10 days left, not 14.
The safe play is to reply inside the first week, even if your reply is just a holding response saying you've ordered the corrected translation and will submit it shortly. UKVI caseworkers note replies in chronological order, and a fast first response keeps your file out of the 'no response received' queue.
For the translation itself, most professional providers can turn round a single document in 24 business hours. Multi-document RFIs (re-do three bank statements, for example) can stretch to 48–72 hours. Same-day service exists for emergencies, usually at a 50–100% premium, and is worth it if the deadline is imminent.
- Read the RFI letter and note the response deadline
- Identify which document(s) UKVI wants re-translated
- Order the corrected translation immediately; don't wait for comparison shopping
- Reply to UKVI inside the first week, even with a holding response
- Submit the corrected translation through the same channel the RFI specifies
What format should the resubmission take?
Resubmit the corrected translation in the format UKVI's RFI specifies, usually digital upload through the visa application portal or a reply email with a PDF attachment. Include the RFI reference number on every page and a cover note explaining what was corrected.
The resubmission channel matters as much as the translation itself. UKVI's RFI letter will name a portal route, an email address, or a postal address. Use exactly that route. RFIs replied to on the wrong channel get lost, and a 'lost' reply inside UKVI tends to convert into 'no response received', which converts into refusal.
When you submit, include the RFI reference number in the email subject line or cover page, a brief one-paragraph cover note saying what was corrected, the full translated PDF as an attachment (not a link to a cloud-storage download, since UKVI's caseworking systems sometimes block external links), and a copy of the original document if the RFI asked for it. Some RFIs say 'with the original'; read those words carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't meet the RFI deadline?
Reply inside the window with a request for extension and a reason. UKVI grants short extensions for genuine reasons (medical, document delays, translator backlog). Silence guarantees refusal; a holding email keeps options open.
Does an RFI mean my visa will be refused?
No. RFIs are routine. Caseworkers use them to fill gaps before deciding, and a well-handled RFI response usually results in approval. Refusal happens when RFIs are ignored or when the resubmitted document also fails compliance.
Will my visa fee be refunded if I'm refused over a translation issue?
No. UKVI visa fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome. That's why getting the translation right first time matters: a refusal after a botched RFI costs the full fee plus the cost of re-applying.
Should I appeal an RFI?
An RFI isn't a decision, so there's nothing to appeal. The right move is to comply with the request inside the deadline. Appeals only become relevant after a refusal decision is issued.
Get Your Certified Translation Today
UKVI-accepted certified translations from £12.99 per page. Statement of accuracy included. 24-hour delivery.