What Documents Need Translation for a UK Visa?
Last updated: March 2026
Any document submitted with a UK visa application that is not in English or Welsh must have a certified translation. This guide lists the documents that commonly need translation, organised by visa type.
Which documents require certified translation for UKVI?
All documents not in English or Welsh submitted with a UK visa application require certified translation. This includes identity documents, financial documents, employment letters, academic certificates, and relationship evidence.
UKVI's rule is straightforward: if a document is not in English or Welsh, it needs a certified translation. There are no exceptions, regardless of how 'universal' the document might seem.
Even documents with some English text may need translation if they contain significant non-English content. When in doubt, translate it.
- Birth certificates
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Death certificates (for dependant applications)
- Bank statements and financial documents
- Employment letters and contracts
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical reports and TB test results
- Property ownership documents
- Utility bills (for address proof)
- Military service records
- Court orders and legal documents
Documents by visa type
Spouse visas require the most translations (marriage certificates, financial evidence, relationship proof). Student visas need academic documents. Skilled worker visas need qualifications. Visitor visas need financial and employment evidence.
The number of documents needing translation varies significantly by visa type. Here is a typical breakdown:
Spouse visa: 5–15 documents (marriage cert, birth certs, bank statements, employment letters, relationship evidence) Student visa: 2–5 documents (degree cert, transcripts, bank statements) Skilled worker visa: 2–4 documents (degree cert, transcript, criminal record) Visitor visa: 1–3 documents (bank statements, employment letter) ILR: varies widely — could be 5–20+ documents
Documents that do NOT need translation
Documents already in English do not need translation. This includes English-language passports, UK-issued documents, CAS letters, BRP cards, and documents from English-medium institutions issued in English.
You can save money by identifying documents that are already in English or that do not need to be submitted. Not every document you have needs to go with your application — consult UKVI guidance or your immigration advisor to identify exactly what is required.
- Passports (biographic page is typically in English)
- UK-issued documents (BRP, NHS letters)
- CAS letters (already in English)
- English-language certificates from English-medium institutions
- Documents from UK employers or institutions
Frequently Asked Questions
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