Afghan Document Translation for UK Visa, ACRS & ARAP
A clear guide for Afghan applicants who need to translate identity, civil status, and school documents. It covers UK resettlement schemes (ACRS and ARAP), spouse and family reunion visas, and Skilled Worker applications. It also covers Dari, Pashto, and handwritten papers.
Since 2021, the UK has run two resettlement schemes for Afghan nationals. These are the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). Thousands of Afghans have also applied through family reunion, Skilled Worker, and Student visa routes. On every one of these routes, you must give a certified English translation of any Afghan-language document. This guide explains which documents you need. It also explains what to do if papers were lost or damaged during the evacuation, and what a UKVI-compliant Dari or Pashto translation looks like.
Dari vs Pashto: Both are Official Languages
Afghanistan has two official languages: Dari (a dialect of Persian) and Pashto. Most government documents are issued in Dari. But school certificates, regional court papers, and some ID documents may be in Pashto. Many documents use both. A UK certified translator must be qualified in the exact source language — a Dari translator cannot automatically translate Pashto, and the other way round. Always check with your translation provider that they can handle both scripts.
Essential Afghan Documents for UK Applications
| Local Name | English Equivalent | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| تذکره (Tazkira / Tazkera) | National Identity Document | All routes — proof of identity |
| نکاح خط (Nikah Khat) | Marriage Contract | Spouse visa, family reunion |
| طلاق نامه (Talaq Nama) | Divorce Deed | Remarriage |
| شهادت نامه تولد (Shahadatnama Tawallud) | Birth Certificate | Children's applications |
| وثیقه تحصیلی (Wathiqa Tahsili) | Educational Certificate / Diploma | Student, Skilled Worker |
| ترانسکریپت (Transcript) | Academic Transcript | University admission, ECCTIS |
| پاسپورت (Passport) | Afghan Passport | All applications |
| گواهینامه رانندگی (Gawahinama Rannandagi) | Driving Licence | UK licence conversion |
| حاکمی محضری (Hakimi Mahzari) | Court Statement / Affidavit | Custody, property, inheritance |
The Tazkira — Afghanistan's Most Important ID
The tazkira is Afghanistan's national identity document. There are two main formats. The first is the old paper tazkira: a booklet with handwritten entries, often shared between family members to prove family lineage. The second is the electronic tazkira (e-Tazkira), a plastic card issued after 2018. The UK accepts both, but the translation rules are not the same:
Paper Tazkira
- All handwritten entries must be transcribed
- Family lineage section (ancestors) translated in full
- Stamps and thumbprints described
- Damage or illegible sections flagged by translator
e-Tazkira
- Machine-readable zone included in translation
- All biographic fields translated
- QR code and security features noted
- Generally faster to translate
Documents Issued Before, During, and After the Taliban Takeover
Afghan paperwork changed a lot in August 2021. UKVI and Home Office guidance accept documents issued under the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (pre-2021), the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (post-2021), and the period in between. A certified translation must show the issuing authority exactly as it appears on the document. Your translator should not modernise, anglicise, or “correct” the name of that authority.
Important: If your document was issued or changed after August 2021, say so in your application cover letter. UKVI does not refuse documents just for this reason, but caseworkers find the context helpful.
ACRS and ARAP: Translation Requirements
Both the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy need certified English translations of any supporting document in Dari or Pashto. People usually send:
- Proof of employment with UK forces — letters from British military units, contractor references, HR records, pay stubs.
- Evidence of service or vulnerability — court documents, threat letters, medical records.
- Family relationship evidence — tazkiras, nikah khat, birth certificates for dependants.
- Identity documents for every family member travelling with you — each person's tazkira must be translated on its own.
Handling Lost Documents After Evacuation
Many Afghan evacuees reached the UK with almost no paperwork. The Home Office allows other kinds of evidence in these cases. But you must explain clearly why the documents are missing. If you can replace them, here is how:
Family members in Afghanistan can request replacements
The Afghan civil registry (Sabt-e Ahwal) still issues tazkiras and civil documents. Relatives can apply for you if you give them a power of attorney.
Afghan embassies abroad may issue some documents
Embassies in the UK, Germany, Turkey, and other countries issue passports and some civil documents to Afghans living abroad. The rules are different in each country.
Photos, scans, and digital copies
A phone photo of your tazkira can still be certified-translated. UKVI accepts photos when you truly cannot get the original. The translator will note the quality of the source image.
Educational Credentials for Skilled Worker and Student Routes
Afghan university degrees and school certificates need a certified translation. For most professional routes you also need an ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC) credential evaluation. ECCTIS has long compared Afghan qualifications to UK ones. For Skilled Worker applications in medicine, nursing, engineering, and teaching, translation is step one. ECCTIS evaluation is step two.
Read our full guide: ENIC-NARIC & ECCTIS Credential Evaluation for UK Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an apostille on my Afghan documents?
Afghanistan has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention, so you cannot get an apostille. Most UK visa routes do not ask for extra legalisation — a certified translation on its own is enough.
My tazkira is handwritten and partly faded. Will it still be accepted?
Yes. Certified translators work from faded handwritten documents every day. Any part they cannot read will be marked as illegible in the translation. UKVI still accepts these documents when you cannot get a clean original.
Can one translator handle both Dari and Pashto documents?
Only if they are qualified in both. Many UK certified translators work in Persian, which covers Dari and Iranian Persian, but not in Pashto. Check that your provider handles your exact language before you order.
How are Afghan dates handled in translation?
Afghanistan uses the Solar Hijri calendar (Jalali calendar). A certified translation must change Solar Hijri dates into Gregorian dates. It should show both, each clearly labelled, so caseworkers can check them against your other documents.
What does certified translation cost for Afghan documents?
Standard pricing is usually £17.99–£23.99 per page. A tazkira is normally 1 page, a nikah khat 1–2 pages, and a full school transcript 3–6 pages. Same-day rush service costs extra.
Related Services
Translate Your Afghan Documents
Certified Dari and Pashto translation, sent to you digitally and fully UKVI compliant. Same-day rush is available for urgent ACRS, ARAP, and family reunion deadlines.
Get Instant Quote