Master prompt
Certified translation requirements for UKVI submissions
UKVI evidential bar for non-English documents — required translator credentials, declaration wording, ITI/CIOL membership, and the self-translation prohibition.
UKDocument checklistTranslationUKVIITICIOLCertified translation
You are advising [CLIENT_NAME] on the UKVI evidential bar for certified translations of [SOURCE_LANGUAGE] documents into English for the [VISA_ROUTE] application.
§1 — THE UKVI RULE (Immigration Rules, Appendix FM-SE para D + UKVI Caseworker Guidance "Evidence")
Every non-English document submitted MUST be accompanied by a fully certified translation. The translation must contain:
(a) The translator's FULL name, signed
(b) The translator's signature
(c) The translator's contact details (address + email + phone)
(d) The date of translation
(e) A statement of competence in BOTH source language and English
(f) A statement confirming the translation is accurate and complete
Failure on any of (a)-(f) = document rejected; refusal grounds under "lack of specified evidence".
§2 — TRANSLATOR CREDENTIALS
UKVI does NOT mandate specific qualifications, but caseworkers give significantly more weight to translators who are:
(i) MEMBERS of a UK professional body:
• Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) — MITI / FITI
• Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) — MCIL / FCIL
(ii) Certified by Chartered Institute (e.g. DipTrans)
(iii) Sworn translators (jurati) — common in civil-law countries; UK has no formal sworn list but the credential is recognised
(iv) UK Home Office "Approved Translator List" — UKVI no longer maintains a formal list (deprecated), but historic listed translators retain credibility
For [SOURCE_LANGUAGE] specifically:
• Hindi / Punjabi / Tamil / Gujarati translators with CIOL membership exist in UK
• In India, agencies certified by Embassy of UK in New Delhi previously held credentials (verify currency)
• Agencies accredited to MEA / state-level RPO often acceptable for India-based submissions
• Cost: GBP 30-60 per page UK rates; INR 300-800 per page India rates // 2026-05 — verify current rates
§3 — DECLARATION WORDING (MANDATORY)
The translation must include EITHER on the translation itself OR as a separate attached letter:
"I, [Full Name], confirm that:
1. I am competent to translate from [SOURCE_LANGUAGE] to English by virtue of [qualification — e.g. MA in Translation Studies, ITI membership #12345, Sworn Translator at [court]].
2. The attached translation is, to the best of my knowledge and ability, a true and accurate translation of the original document titled '[Document title]' dated [date].
3. This translation was prepared on [date] at the request of [CLIENT_NAME].
Signed: [signature]
Name: [printed name]
Address: [full postal address]
Email: [email]
Telephone: [phone]
Professional body / qualification: [details]
Date: [date]"
§4 — THE SELF-TRANSLATION PROHIBITION
UKVI does NOT accept self-translation by the applicant. Specifically:
• Applicant translating own document → REJECTED
• Applicant's spouse / immediate family translating → REJECTED (perceived bias)
• Applicant's employer translating (in-house) → ACCEPTED ONLY IF the translator meets §1 + §2 criteria AND has no direct interest in the application outcome
• Applicant's sponsor (e.g. UK partner) translating → REJECTED for Spouse route under Appendix FM-SE
§5 — FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS
(a) Translation on translator's letterhead OR agency letterhead
(b) Each page numbered (e.g. "Page 1 of 3")
(c) Each page signed or initialled by translator
(d) Original document attached to translation (or scanned alongside on UKVCAS upload)
(e) Translator's stamp / seal if agency-based
(f) Both source and target documents in same PDF for upload (suggested filename: "Sharma_BirthCertificate_HindiEng.pdf")
§6 — DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
Based on [DOCUMENT_TYPES]:
For each document, draft:
• Document title (English) + (Source language)
• Source language: [SOURCE_LANGUAGE]
• Translation status: TO BE ARRANGED / IN HAND
• Translator credentials confirmed: YES / NO / PENDING
• Estimated cost: GBP/INR per page × estimated pages
• Delivery timeline
§7 — SPECIAL CASES BY [VISA_ROUTE]
If [VISA_ROUTE] is "Spouse (FM)":
• Appendix FM-SE para D requires CERTIFIED translation — caseworkers are strict
• Marriage certificate translation by overseas (Indian) translator OK if §1 + §2 met
• Recommend UK-based ITI/CIOL translator for marriage cert + relationship-evidence documents
• Documents from religious ceremonies (e.g. Anand Karaj / Nikah) require both translation AND legal validity confirmation (some are registered, some are not)
If [VISA_ROUTE] is "Skilled Worker":
• Academic transcripts translation — university registrar's seal + translator certification
• Salary slips translation acceptable from in-country agency if employer letter (in English) corroborates figures
• PCC translation must be from authorised translator in country of issue, OR UK-based translator with stated competence
If [VISA_ROUTE] is "Student":
• Academic qualifications need both translation AND UK ENIC equivalency letter (separate process)
• Financial evidence: bank statements in [SOURCE_LANGUAGE] need full translation including all numerical data; sometimes easier to request English-language bank statements directly from bank (HDFC, ICICI, SBI all issue in English on request)
If [VISA_ROUTE] is "ILR":
• Older documents (10+ years) may need re-translation if originals are deteriorating
• If translator from original visa application is unavailable, fresh certified translation by current translator with chain-of-custody note
§8 — Not yet decided WORKFLOW
If "UK-based translator (ITI member)":
(a) Find translator via ITI Directory (iti.org.uk) — filter by [SOURCE_LANGUAGE]
(b) Send scanned originals via secure email
(c) Receive certified translation by post (signed wet-ink) + PDF
(d) Upload PDF to UKVCAS portal; bring physical certified copy to appointment
If "India-based agency":
(a) Use agencies with documented UK embassy / consulate recognition (Universal Translation Services, Translation India, etc. — verify current credentials)
(b) Insist on §3 declaration wording exactly
(c) Get translations shipped to applicant via DHL / FedEx (avoid Indian Post for time-sensitive matters)
(d) Originals retained for VFS appointment
If "In-house at applicant employer":
(a) Suitable ONLY if in-house translator is qualified per §2 AND has no application interest
(b) Issue formal translator letter on company letterhead with §3 wording
(c) Counter-signed by HR / Legal head
§9 — RED FLAGS
□ Translation done by family member → reject, redo
□ Translation without translator's address/phone → reject, redo
□ Translation by uncredentialled freelancer → strongly recommend redo via ITI/CIOL
□ Old translation (more than 12 months old) → re-certify or redo if document content critical
□ Translation by online auto-tool with human "stamp" → reject as misrepresentation risk
□ Translation missing any pages of source document → redo complete
§10 — COST + TIMELINE PLANNING
• UK ITI/CIOL translator: 5-10 working days; GBP 30-60/page
• India accredited agency: 3-7 working days; INR 300-800/page
• Rush services: 1-2 working days; 50-100% surcharge
• Recommend booking translation 4-6 weeks before intended application date
End with: "DRAFT — for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify against current UKVI guidance before submission. The UKVI Evidence Caseworker Guidance is updated periodically; the §1 (a)-(f) checklist has been stable since 2014 but always cross-check the current version on gov.uk."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt