Does a passport need to be translated for a UK visa?

Passports generally do not require translation if they are biometric and the data page is legible. However, for a Spouse Visa or ILR, UKVI may request a translation of previous visa stamps if they were issued in a language other than English. For Skilled Worker and Student Visas, the passport is not usually translated as an identity document, but all visa stamps in it must be legible to the caseworker.

Should bank statements be translated for a Visit Visa?

Yes, if they are in Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek, or another non-Latin script language. For a Visit Visa, UKVI checks the applicant's financial means, and a bank statement not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Statements from UK banks do not need to be translated.

Is a degree translation needed for a Skilled Worker Visa?

Not always. A degree only needs to be translated if it is specified in your sponsor's requirements for the particular role, or if an ENIC assessment requires it in translation. For most Skilled Worker applications, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer and an English language test are sufficient.

What needs to be translated for a Spouse Visa (Family Visa)?

The core pack includes: marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (if applicable), bank statements, employer's letter and evidence of sponsor's income. If a TB test certificate is not in English, it must also be translated. Correspondence between spouses and photographs do not need to be translated, but if captions on photographs are in a foreign language, add a brief translation of the captions.

Should documents be translated for a Student Visa if the CAS letter is already in English?

The CAS letter is always in English and does not require translation. However, bank statements from a foreign account, parental consent letters for minors (if not in English), and previous education certificates and diplomas in non-Latin script languages all need to be translated.

Do I need new translations for ILR if I submitted translations with my first visa?

When applying for ILR, new translations are required for all documents added since the last application: marriage certificate (if married since then), birth certificates of children, employer's letters covering the 5-year period, and tax documents. Previous translations from earlier applications are generally accepted if the documents themselves have not changed.

What never needs to be translated for any visa?

Documents originally issued in English: letters from UK organisations, UK bank statements, UK degrees, the CAS letter, BRP card, and NHS documents. Photographs and travel tickets also do not require translation.

Is translation required for British Citizenship (naturalisation)?

Yes. For naturalisation, UKVI may request marriage certificates, birth certificates, and police clearance certificates from the country of origin. The Life in the UK test pass letter is always in English and does not need to be translated. If you have documents that changed your citizenship or family status abroad, translate them.

Guide · UK Visas

Which documents to translate for a UK visa — complete list by visa type

UKVI does not publish a single checklist of "what to translate" — the requirements vary by visa type. This guide covers each category separately: what is required, what is not needed, and what applicants commonly overlook.

Last verified against gov.uk: 20 May 2026

In brief

All personal documents not in English — certificates, degrees, letters — require a certified translation for UKVI.
The CAS letter, UK bank statements, and letters from UK organisations do not need to be translated — they are already in English.
The Spouse/Family Visa requires the longest list: marriage certificate, bank statements, employer's letter, TB test.
For a Visit Visa — minimum: bank statements and employer's letter, if not in English.
Common mistake: translating only the data page of the passport, missing the visa stamps.

General UKVI translation requirements

The official UKVI position is set out in "Visa document translation and certification" on gov.uk. The requirements apply to all visa types:

All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation — a translation with a Certificate of Accuracy.
The translator must provide their name, contact details, and qualifications.
The translation must be complete — including all fields, stamps, seals, and annotations on the document.
Notarised translations from CIS countries are not treated as certified translations in the UK format.

For more detail on what a translation must contain, see the guide "What Home Office requires from certified translations".

Spouse Visa / Partner / Family Visa

The most extensive document pack of all visa categories. The central document is proof of the relationship.

Marriage certificate — required. If the marriage was registered in a CIS country, a certified translation is needed.
Children's birth certificates — if children are travelling together or are part of the application.
Bank statements of applicant and sponsor — if issued by a foreign bank in a non-Latin script language.
Employer's letter / evidence of sponsor's income — if the document is not in English.
TB test results — the certificate from an approved clinic is usually issued in English; if not, it must be translated.
Correspondence between spouses — not translated, but included as evidence of the relationship.
Photographs — the photographs themselves are not translated; if captions are in a foreign language, add a brief translation.

Full requirements: gov.uk/spouse-visa

Skilled Worker Visa

The list is relatively short — the bulk of the work is done by the sponsor through the CoS.

Passport (visa stamps) — if previous visas are from non-Latin script countries and the caseworker cannot read them.
Degree / academic qualification — only if an ENIC assessment requires translation or the role specification states it.
Police clearance certificate — if requested from a CIS country, a certified translation is required.
Medical documents — if required by the sponsor or a specific role (healthcare, care work).
CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) — always in English, no translation needed.
English language test results — always in English, no translation needed.

Full details: gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Student Visa

Most documents for a Student Visa are provided by the educational institution and are already in English.

CAS letter — always in English, no translation required.
Bank statements — if the statement is from a foreign bank in a non-Latin script language, a certified translation is required.
School-leaving certificates and education certificates — if submitted and not in English.
Parental consent — for minor applicants, if the consent is not in English.
Sponsorship letter from parents / guardians — if funding comes from a private individual not in the UK.

Full details: gov.uk/student-visa

Standard Visitor Visa

For a tourist visa the list is minimal, but financial evidence is essential.

Bank statements — if not in English, a certified translation is required.
Employer's letter — if not in English, a translation is needed.
Invitation from a UK resident — if the invitation is not in English, it must be translated.
Property documents (evidence of ties to home country) — if submitted and not in English.
Flight tickets / hotel bookings — contain data in Latin script, no translation required.

Full details: gov.uk/standard-visitor

ILR / Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

When applying for ILR, you need to gather evidence covering five years. Translations are required for all new documents.

Marriage certificate — if married abroad since the previous application.
Children's birth certificates — if children were born abroad during the period of UK residence.
Employer's letters covering 5 years — foreign employers before moving to the UK, if not in English.
Tax documents — if you are submitting tax returns from a CIS country.
Previous translations — translations already accepted by UKVI are generally not redone if the original document has not changed.

Full details: gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain

British Citizenship (Naturalisation)

For naturalisation, UKVI may request additional documents confirming your history and status.

Marriage / divorce certificates — all foreign documents confirming family status.
Children's birth certificates — if included in the application.
Police clearance certificates from country of origin — required for naturalisation, issued in the language of that country.
Documents that changed your citizenship — if you changed citizenship abroad.
Life in the UK test pass letter — always in English, no translation required.

Full details: gov.uk/british-citizenship

What does not need to be translated

Documents originally issued in English — CAS letter, CoS, NHS letters, BRP card.
Letters from UK organisations — letters from UK employers, universities, banks, and government bodies.
UK bank statements — statements from Barclays, HSBC, Monzo, Starling, and other UK banks are always in English.
Flights and hotels — contain data in Latin script, understandable without translation.
Photographs — the images themselves are not translated.
Life in the UK test pass letter, SELT results — always in English.

Common mistakes

Translating only the data page of the passport without translating visa stamps — stamps in a passport may be unreadable to the caseworker and need to be translated.
Different transliteration of names across documents in the same pack — for example, "Aygul" in one translation and "Aigul" in another. Use one consistent transliteration system throughout.
Incomplete translation — translating only the "main" fields and omitting official annotations, stamps, or marginal notes. UKVI requires a complete translation.
Translation without a date — a Certificate of Accuracy without a date will raise questions.