UK Dependent Visa Translation Requirements

What Is a UK Dependent Visa?

A UK dependent visa lets the spouse, partner or child of someone who already holds a valid UK visa join them in the United Kingdom. Dependants do not apply on their own — their application is tied to the main visa holder (known as the “sponsor” or “main applicant”). Any supporting document that is not in English or Welsh must come with a certified translation that meets UKVI standards.

Dependent visa applications are common on several visa routes. The documents you need, and so the translations you need, depend on two things: your relationship to the main visa holder, and the visa category.

UKVI Translation Requirement for Dependants

Every document in a dependent visa application that is not in English or Welsh must include a certified translation. The translation must come with a signed statement from the translator. The statement confirms that the translation is accurate and complete. UKVI does not accept machine translations or translations you do yourself.

Types of UK Dependent Visas

Each of the main UK visa routes lets dependants apply. The translation rules are much the same on every route, but the documents themselves can differ:

Skilled Worker Dependant

Spouse, partner, or child of a Skilled Worker visa holder. Financial maintenance evidence and relationship proof required.

Student Dependant

Only available to dependants of postgraduate research students or government-sponsored students. Strict financial requirements apply.

Global Talent Dependant

Dependants of Global Talent visa holders in science, research, digital technology, arts, or humanities fields.

Innovator Founder Dependant

Spouse, partner, or child of an Innovator Founder visa holder establishing a business in the UK.

Health & Care Worker Dependant

Dependants of health and care professionals working in the NHS or social care sector under this dedicated route.

Scale-up & Other Routes

Dependants of Scale-up visa holders and other work visa categories that permit family members to join.

Documents Needed for Spouse or Partner Dependants

If you are applying as the spouse or unmarried partner of a UK visa holder, you must show evidence of your relationship and your identity. Any of these documents in a language other than English must be translated. For a detailed guide on spouse translations, see our spouse visa translation documents guide.

Spouse/Partner Dependant Documents

Marriage certificate — civil or religious, proving a legally recognised marriage
Civil partnership certificate — if applicable, with full certified translation
Cohabitation evidence — joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, or joint bank statements showing shared address
Divorce or annulment decree — if either partner was previously married
Passport and identity documents — biographical pages with personal details
Birth certificates — for both the dependant and the main applicant

Documents Needed for Child Dependants

Children under 18 who apply as dependants need extra documents, above all about parental responsibility. For birth certificate translation details, see our birth certificate translation guide.

Child Dependant Documents

Birth certificate — establishing the parent-child relationship
Adoption order — if the child is adopted, the full legal adoption decree
Custody order — court orders confirming parental responsibility or custody arrangements
Consent to travel letter — written consent from the non-travelling parent, notarised where possible
Sole responsibility evidence — school records, medical records, or statements showing primary caregiving
Death certificate — of the other parent, if applicable

Consent Letters for Children with Separated Parents

If the child's parents are separated or divorced, UKVI needs written consent from the parent who is not travelling with the child. The letter must confirm that this parent agrees to the child living in the UK. If the letter is in a language other than English, you need a certified translation. Where one parent has sole custody, you must also translate the evidence, such as a court order granting sole responsibility.

Translation Requirements by Document Type

Every document in a dependent visa application must meet UKVI's certified translation standards. Here is what the Home Office expects for each type:

Document	Translation Notes	Typical Pages
Marriage Certificate	Full word-for-word translation including stamps and seals	1-3
Birth Certificate	All details including parents' names, registration numbers	1-2
Adoption Order	Complete legal document including court details and dates	2-5
Custody Order	Full court order with judge's decision and conditions	3-8
Consent to Travel Letter	Complete letter including notarial certification if present	1-2
Bank Statements	All transactions, account holder details, and bank stamps	2-6 per month
Tenancy/Rental Agreement	Full contract including names of all parties and address	3-10

* All languages priced at £17.99 per page. Final cost depends on the number of pages in each document.

Maintenance Requirements and Financial Evidence

Dependants must show they can be supported in the UK without recourse to public funds. The amount you must show depends on the visa route. For Skilled Worker dependants, the main applicant must show enough money for the dependant on top of their own maintenance requirement. For more on the Skilled Worker route, see our Skilled Worker visa translation guide.

Skilled Worker Dependants

The main applicant must show at least £285 in their bank account for each dependant. The money must stay there for 28 days in a row. Bank statements in a foreign language need a certified translation.

Student Dependants

The money you must show depends on where you study. Dependants of students in London must show £845 per month. Outside London the figure is £680 per month. Translated bank statements are essential.

Global Talent Dependants

You must show £285 for the dependant, held for 28 days in a row. This does not apply if the main applicant has been in the UK for 12 months or more. Bank statements from abroad need translation.

Accommodation Evidence

You must show that suitable accommodation is available without recourse to public funds. Tenancy agreements, property ownership documents, or letters from hosts — all need translation if they are not in English.

Bank Statements Must Be Complete

When you translate bank statements for maintenance, the whole statement must be translated — not just the balance or the summary. UKVI caseworkers check single transactions to see that the money stayed in the account. They will not accept a part translation or a summary.

Switching from Dependant to Your Own Visa Category

Dependants in the UK may want to switch to their own visa category. For example, a Skilled Worker dependant may move to a Skilled Worker visa in their own right, or a Student dependant to a Graduate visa. When you switch, you must provide fresh supporting documents. Any document that is not in English needs a new certified translation.

Dependant to Skilled Worker

You will need a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer, translated academic qualifications, and proof of English language ability. Any foreign qualifications or employment references must be translated.

Dependant to Graduate Visa

If a Student dependant completes their own degree, they may apply for the Graduate visa. Academic transcripts and degree certificates in other languages will need certified translation.

Dependant to Indefinite Leave to Remain

After the qualifying period, dependants may apply for ILR. This requires evidence of continuous residence, a Life in the UK test pass, and any new supporting documents translated if not in English.

How to Get Your Dependant Visa Documents Translated

Identify All Non-English Documents

Go through every document in your dependant application. Any document not entirely in English or Welsh needs certified translation — including birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements, consent letters, and custody orders.

Upload for an Instant Quote

Upload clear scans or photos of your documents. Our system automatically detects the language and calculates pricing based on the number of pages.

Professional Certified Translation

Expert translators produce word-for-word certified translations that meet UKVI requirements. Every stamp, seal, and annotation is translated in full.

Receive UKVI-Compliant PDFs

Certified translations are delivered to your email as signed and stamped PDFs, ready to submit with your dependent visa application. Each includes the translator's certification statement.

Common Mistakes in Dependent Visa Applications

Most dependent visa refusals come from document errors you can avoid. Knowing the common traps helps you submit a stronger application first time.

Submitting Untranslated Relationship Evidence

If a marriage certificate, birth certificate or cohabitation evidence is in a foreign language and has no certified translation, UKVI treats it as if you never sent it. You can then be refused because you have not proved the relationship.

Missing Consent Letter for Child Dependants

A child may have two living parents but travel with only one. A missing consent letter, or one with no translation, often causes delay or refusal. The Home Office takes safeguarding seriously. It will not approve a child's visa without clear evidence of consent.

Incomplete Bank Statement Translations

Translating only the summary page or the closing balance of a bank statement is not enough. UKVI needs every page translated, so caseworkers can see that the money stayed in the account for the full 28 days.

Using Self-Translations or Machine Translations

UKVI does not accept translations done by the applicant, by family members, or by tools such as Google Translate. Each translation must come from an independent, qualified translator and carry a signed certification statement.

Not Translating Custody or Adoption Documents

Foreign custody orders and adoption decrees are complex legal documents. They must be translated in full — the court's decision, the conditions, and any annexes. If not, UKVI may not be able to assess parental responsibility, and may refuse the application.

Dependent Visa Document Translation Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure every document is translated before you submit your dependant application:

Marriage or civil partnership certificate (spouse/partner dependants)
Birth certificates for all applicants (children and adults)
Custody orders or sole responsibility evidence (child dependants)
Consent to travel letters from non-travelling parent
Adoption orders (if applicable)
Bank statements showing maintenance funds (28-day period)
Tenancy agreement or accommodation evidence
Divorce or death certificates (if relevant to current application)
Police clearance certificates (if required for the route)

Frequently Asked Questions — Dependent Visa Translation

Can I use the same translations from the main visa holder's application?

If the main visa holder has already had a document translated (a marriage certificate, for example), you can reuse that certified translation for the dependant application. It must still be current, and it must include the original translator's signed statement. You do not need to pay twice for the same document.

Do I need to translate my child's school records for a dependant visa?

School records are not always required. They matter when you need to show sole responsibility for a child, or when there is a custody dispute. If you submit school reports as evidence, any content that is not in English must have a certified translation.

What happens if my consent to travel letter is rejected?

A consent letter can be rejected for three reasons: a poor translation, missing details about the child and the arrangement, or no notarisation where one is expected. Make sure the letter clearly states the non-travelling parent's full name, the child's details, the destination, and how long the stay will be. A certified translation of the full letter is essential.

How much does it cost to translate all documents for a dependent visa?

Translation costs depend on the total number of pages across all documents. At £17.99 per page, a typical dependant application with a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and bank statements might cost between £60 and £150. Upload your documents for an instant, exact quote.

Can a dependant switch visa categories while in the UK?

Yes. Many dependants switch to their own visa route from within the UK — such as a Skilled Worker or Student visa. You must meet the requirements of the new category on your own. Any new supporting document in a foreign language will need a fresh certified translation.

Dependent Visa Translation Requirements UK: Complete Guide