5 Translation Mistakes That Can Delay Your UK Visa

A poorly translated document is one of the most preventable reasons visa applications get delayed or rejected. We have seen thousands of visa translation orders, and the same mistakes come up repeatedly.

Here are the five most common — and how to avoid each one.

1. Using the Wrong Certification Format

UKVI requires a specific format for certified translations. The translation must include:

• A statement confirming it is an accurate and complete translation of the original document
• The date of translation
• The translator's full name and signature
• The translator's or translation company's contact details

What goes wrong: some translators provide a translation with just their name at the bottom, or use a generic stamp without a proper certification statement. Others certify the translation but do not include their qualifications or company details. UKVI caseworkers are trained to check these elements, and missing any one of them can trigger a request for further evidence — adding weeks to your application.

How to avoid it: Use a professional translation company that specifically states their translations are UKVI-compliant. Ask to see a sample certification page before ordering.

2. Name Discrepancies Between Documents

This is the most common issue we see with birth certificate translations. Names can be transliterated differently depending on the system used.

For example, the Arabic name محمد could appear as "Mohammed", "Muhammad", "Mohamed", or "Muhammed" in English. If your birth certificate translation says "Mohamed" but your passport says "Mohammed", UKVI may query the discrepancy.

How to avoid it: Tell your translator which English spelling appears on your passport or other UK documents. A good translator will match the established spelling and add a note explaining that both versions represent the same name in the original language.

3. Translating a Copy Instead of the Original

UKVI wants translations of official original documents, not photocopies or informal duplicates. We regularly receive scans that are clearly photographs of photocopies, with stamps and seals barely visible.

The translation itself might be perfect, but if the caseworker cannot verify the original document's authenticity from the scan, they will ask for better quality — and that means retranslating from a clearer source.

How to avoid it: Scan or photograph the original document directly. Ensure stamps, seals, and signatures are clearly visible. Use good lighting and avoid shadows. Most phone cameras produce adequate quality if the document is flat and well-lit.

4. Missing Pages or Sections

Documents like marriage certificates often have information on both sides, or include attached annexes with registration details. Birth certificates from some countries have multiple pages with different stamps on each.

If you only photograph one side of a two-sided document, the translation will be incomplete. UKVI compares translated documents against their knowledge of what those documents typically contain, and a suspiciously short translation raises flags.

How to avoid it: Photograph every page, both sides if there is anything printed on the back. Include any stamps, stickers, or annotations that appear on the document. When in doubt, include everything — it is better to translate an extra blank page than to miss crucial information.

5. Using Machine Translation or Self-Translation

UKVI explicitly states that translations must be done by a professional translator or translation company. Google Translate output, translations by family members, or self-translations are not accepted — even if they are technically accurate.

We have seen cases where applicants submitted very good self-translations, only to have them rejected because the certification did not come from an independent professional. The entire application was delayed by weeks while they obtained a proper certified translation.

How to avoid it: Always use a professional translation service. The cost of a certified translation (typically £35 per document) is negligible compared to the cost of a delayed visa — lost flights, accommodation changes, missed start dates, and the stress of uncertainty.

Get It Right First Time

Every one of these mistakes is avoidable. Upload your documents to our instant quote tool and get a UKVI-compliant certified translation delivered within 48 hours — or same day if you need it urgently.

For a complete overview of what UKVI requires, see our UK immigration translation requirements guide.