What UKVI actually says about translations
The official UKVI guidance is clear: if a supporting document is not in English or Welsh, applicants must provide a full certified translation alongside it. The translation must be submitted together with a copy of the original document - caseworkers at the Home Office will review the translated version and may disregard documents entirely if they are not accompanied by a compliant certification.
This is not a bureaucratic formality. Over 571,000 visitor visa applications were refused in the year ending September 2025, and weak or improperly formatted documentation is consistently cited among the leading reasons for refusal. Submitting an uncertified translation - or no translation at all - is treated the same as not submitting the document.
Important: UKVI does not notify applicants during the process if a translation is non-compliant. In many cases, the document is simply disregarded by the caseworker, weakening the application without any indication this has happened before a decision is issued.
The four elements every UKVI translation must include
According to official Home Office guidance, a certified translation submitted to UKVI must contain all four of the following elements. A translation missing any one of them may be rejected.
A signed statement from the translator or an authorised representative of the translation company confirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document.
The date on which the translation was completed must be stated on the certificate. This is used by caseworkers to assess the currency of the submission in relation to your application date.
Either the individual translator's name and signature, or the name and signature of an authorised official acting on behalf of the translation company.
The translator's or translation company's contact information must be included. Entry Clearance Officers are entitled to contact the provider directly to verify the work if they have any questions about your documents.
All translations produced by Los Jurados UK include every one of these elements as standard - together with our company stamp, UK company registration number (16901329), and a signed certificate of accuracy on headed paper.
Which documents need a certified translation?
Any document in your application that is not in English or Welsh requires a certified translation. Below are the most commonly translated document types, grouped by purpose.
- Birth certificates
- Passports (non-Latin script)
- National identity cards
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
- Bank statements
- Tax returns and payslips
- Sponsorship letters
- Property ownership documents
- Pension statements
- Business accounts
- Employment contracts and letters
- Degree certificates and diplomas
- Academic transcripts
- Professional qualifications
- Reference letters
- Company registration documents
- Marriage certificates for spouse visas
- Adoption documents
- Parental consent letters
- Court orders relating to children
- Relationship evidence correspondence
For a full overview of document types we translate, see our documents we translate page.
Which visa types require certified translations?
The requirement applies uniformly across all visa categories. There is no visa route that exempts applicants from providing certified translations of non-English documents.
| Visa Type | Translation Required? | Common Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | Required | Bank statements, employment letters, invitations |
| Spouse and Partner Visa (Family) | Required | Marriage certificates, birth certificates, financial records |
| Student Visa | Required | Academic transcripts, financial statements, birth certificates |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Required | Degree certificates, employment history, professional qualifications |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Required | All supporting civil and financial documentation |
| British Citizenship (Naturalisation) | Required | Birth certificates, marriage certificates, identity documents |
| Asylum Claims | Required | Identity documents, country-of-origin evidence |
Do I need a notarised translation for UKVI?
No. This is one of the most persistent misunderstandings among UK visa applicants. UKVI explicitly states that notarisation is not required for certified translations submitted in support of visa and immigration applications. A properly certified translation from a qualified professional is sufficient for all standard UKVI submissions.
Notarisation involves a solicitor or Notary Public witnessing the signing of a document to verify the identity of the signatory. It does not verify the quality or accuracy of the translation itself, and it adds cost - typically between GBP 50 and GBP 100 per document - without providing any additional benefit for Home Office purposes.
When notarisation or legalisation is needed: Notarised translations are required for some legal proceedings, property transactions, and certain overseas applications. Apostilled (legalised) translations are required when submitting documents to foreign authorities. If you are unsure which level of certification your specific situation requires, contact us on WhatsApp and we will advise you without obligation.
Can I translate my own documents?
No. UKVI does not accept self-translations under any circumstances. This rule applies even if the applicant is a qualified translator or fully fluent in both languages. The translation must be completed by an independent professional third party who can be contacted by the Entry Clearance Officer or Immigration Officer to verify the work if required.
Translations completed by family members, friends, or immigration advisers are equally not accepted. Using such a translation risks the document being disregarded entirely - with no guarantee that you will be informed this has happened before a decision is reached on your application.
Which languages do we cover for UKVI applications?
Los Jurados UK provides UKVI-compliant certified translations for all major languages. Our translators are qualified professionals with specialist experience in legal and immigration documentation.
Do certified translations expire?
A certified translation itself does not have an expiry date. However, the source document it translates may have a validity window that UKVI applies when assessing your application. The key time limits to be aware of:
- Bank statements - UKVI typically requires these to be dated within the last 28 days for some visa routes at the point of application.
- Employment letters - Usually expected to be dated within the last three months at the point of submission.
- Birth and marriage certificates - No expiry. The translation date should, however, be reasonably close to the application submission date.
- Academic documents - No expiry. The translation is a permanent record of the original qualification.
If your source documents are older but you require fresh translations - for example because a previous application was refused - we can provide new certified translations promptly. See our UKVI translation service for full details.
Common translation mistakes that get visa applications refused
- Using machine translation. Tools such as Google Translate are not accepted by UKVI under any circumstances. Machine output cannot provide a signed human certification and does not meet the required standard of accuracy for legal immigration documents.
- Missing contact details on the certificate. Many translations fail because the certification statement lacks the translator's or company's contact information. Without this, the translation cannot be independently verified and is likely to be rejected.
- Translating only part of a document. UKVI requires a full translation of the complete document. Partial translations - for example, only the key fields on a bank statement - are not compliant.
- Inconsistent names across documents. Even minor spelling variations between a translated document and other application evidence can raise flags with caseworkers. A professional translator will identify and annotate these discrepancies correctly.
- Submitting a translation without the original. The original document - or a certified copy - must accompany the translation in your application bundle. UKVI requires both to be present.
- No company stamp or official letterhead. A typed statement alone is insufficient. Certified translations should be presented on headed paper with an official stamp and an authorised signature.
About Los Jurados UK
Los Jurados UK Ltd - UKVI Translation Specialists
Los Jurados UK Ltd (Company No. 16901329) is a professional certified translation company registered in England and Wales, specialising in UKVI-compliant translations for UK visa and immigration applications across all major language pairs.
Our translations include a signed certificate of accuracy, company stamp, UK registration details, translator credentials, and all four elements required under official UKVI guidance. Every translation is produced by a qualified human translator - we do not use machine translation at any stage.
Standard turnaround is 24 to 48 hours. Urgent same-day translations are available for time-critical applications. We operate on a prepayment basis and deliver digitally or by post.
Contact: info@losjurados.co.uk | WhatsApp +44 7350 228 308
Registered office: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ
We serve clients across the UK, including: