Learn How ENIC-NARIC Evaluation Works for UK Visas

Every year, thousands of UK visa applications are delayed or refused. The reason is often academic documents sent without the right supporting evaluation. Some people send documents that are not translated. Others get a certified translation but skip the credential evaluation their visa type needs. Others spend £200 or more on an ECCTIS assessment they never needed at all.

This guide clears up the confusion. You will learn what ECCTIS (formerly ENIC-NARIC) does and when your visa type makes it a must. You will also see the process, the costs, and — just as important — when a certified translation on its own is enough.

What Is ENIC-NARIC — and Why Did It Become ECCTIS?

NARIC stood for the National Academic Recognition Information Centre. It was the UK body that gave information about international qualifications, and how they compare to UK academic levels. For decades, a "NARIC Statement of Comparability" was the best proof that your overseas degree matched, say, a UK Bachelor's degree.

In 2021, the organisation changed its name. NARIC became ECCTIS (Education and Credential Comparison and Translation Information Service). The national information centre part was renamed UK ENIC (UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills). The service stayed exactly the same: it compares your overseas qualifications to UK ones.

The Name Change at a Glance

Old Name	New Name (from 2021)	What It Does
UK NARIC	UK ENIC (via ECCTIS)	Compares overseas qualifications to UK levels
Statement of Comparability	Statement of Comparability (unchanged)	Official document confirming UK equivalency
NARIC Letter	UK ENIC Reference	Issued to sponsors/employers on request

Older government guidance still says "NARIC". It means the same organisation, now called ECCTIS / UK ENIC. The assessment process has not changed.

ECCTIS is a private company working under a UK government contract. It is the only body named as the UK national information centre for international credential recognition. When Home Office guidance or an employer asks for a "UK ENIC assessment" or an "ECCTIS assessment", they mean the same service.

Credential Evaluation vs. Certified Translation: The Critical Distinction

These two services are not the same. They solve different problems. When ECCTIS assessment applies to your visa, you usually need both. Mixing them up, or thinking one covers the other, causes most qualification-related visa delays.

Certified Translation

This turns your document into English. A translator reads your Arabic, Hindi, or Chinese degree certificate and writes an accurate English version. It comes with a professional certification statement.

Translates what your document says
Does not evaluate the qualification level
Required for nearly all non-English documents
Cost: typically £15–£30 per page
Turnaround: 24–72 hours

ECCTIS / UK ENIC Evaluation

This compares your qualification to the UK academic framework. ECCTIS tells the Home Office or your employer that your overseas Master's matches a UK Level 7 qualification.

Judges the level and comparability of your qualification
You must have a certified translation first
Only needed for certain visa types
Cost: £49.50 + VAT (£59.40 total)
Turnaround: 15–20 working days (standard)

Key Point: ECCTIS Will Reject Untranslated Documents

If you send ECCTIS documents that are not in English, they will refuse to assess them. Your certified translation is not just a visa requirement. It is also the first step before ECCTIS assessment. So get the translation first, then send everything to ECCTIS.

Which UK Visa Types Require ECCTIS Assessment?

Not every visa type needs a credential evaluation. It depends on one thing: does your application ask you to prove a specific UK-equivalent qualification level? Here is the answer by visa category.

Skilled Worker Visa — ECCTIS Often Mandatory

The Skilled Worker visa is the route where ECCTIS assessment comes up most often. Say the job is at RQF Level 6 or above (degree level), and your sponsor uses your overseas qualification to meet the skill level rule. Then the Home Office expects you to show UK equivalency.

When ECCTIS Is Required for Skilled Worker

Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) shows a role at RQF Level 6+, and you use an overseas degree to meet the education rule
The Home Office or your sponsor employer asks for a Statement of Comparability
Your job is on the shortage occupation list but still needs a degree-level qualification
You are applying for a regulated profession (medicine, nursing, engineering, teaching) and the professional body asks for ECCTIS proof

For some Skilled Worker roles, work experience and salary can replace formal qualifications under the points-based system. If your sponsor is not using your degree to score points, you may not need an ECCTIS assessment. Always check with your sponsor before you pay for one.

Student Visa (Student Route) — Usually Not Required

For the Student visa, your UK university (the licensed sponsor) checks your academic qualifications itself during admissions. It then issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) based on that check. So an ECCTIS assessment is usually not needed for the Student visa itself.

Your university may still ask for an ECCTIS assessment as part of its own admissions rules. That is the university's rule, not a Home Office one. Check with them. Either way, you need certified translations of any transcripts and certificates that are not in English.

Global Talent Visa — Depends on Endorsing Body

Specialist bodies endorse the Global Talent visa (Tech Nation, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, and others). Whether they want an ECCTIS assessment depends on the body and on your evidence portfolio. In practice, Global Talent applicants prove outstanding achievement rather than degree equivalency. So ECCTIS assessment is less common here, though some cases still call for it.

You still need certified translations of any academic documents in your evidence portfolio that are not in English.

Visa Type	ECCTIS Required?	Certified Translation Required?	Notes
Skilled Worker	Often yes	Yes	Needed when your overseas degree proves the skill level
Student Route	Usually no	Yes	The university checks your qualifications via the CAS
Global Talent	Sometimes	Yes	Depends on what the endorsing body asks for
Spouse / Partner Visa	No	Yes (for non-English docs)	This route has no qualification rule
ILR / Settlement	No	Yes	You need the B1 English or Life in the UK test, not degree equivalency
Standard Visitor	No	If documents submitted	Qualifications rarely matter for a visitor visa
Innovator Founder	Sometimes	Yes	Endorsing body (approved by UKVI) may request

The Statement of Comparability: What It Is and What It Costs

The Statement of Comparability is the official document from UK ENIC (via ECCTIS). It says how your overseas qualification compares to the UK qualifications framework. It is what you get at the end of the ECCTIS assessment. You then send it to the Home Office or your employer as proof of UK equivalency.

£49.50

+ VAT = £59.40

Standard Statement of Comparability per qualification

15–20

working days

Standard processing time (3–4 calendar weeks)

5–10

working days

Priority service (additional fee applies)

The Statement of Comparability will include:

Your name and the qualification being assessed
The awarding institution and country
The UK RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) level it matches
The FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) level, if applicable
A unique reference number so it can be checked

Not All Qualifications Can Be Assessed

ECCTIS can only assess qualifications from countries in its database. For very unusual systems, or very old qualifications, it may not be able to issue a comparability statement. Then your sponsor or employer has to judge for themselves, or you may need a report from a subject expert.

Also, ECCTIS gives comparability, not recognition. A Statement of Comparability says your degree is comparable to a UK Bachelor's. It does not promise the Home Office or your employer will treat it as fully equal for every purpose.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Qualification Assessed

The order matters. Translation must come before you send anything to ECCTIS. Here is the full process from start to finish.

Confirm ECCTIS Assessment Is Actually Required

Check your visa guidance and your Certificate of Sponsorship (for Skilled Worker). Or just ask your employer or university. Do not pay for an ECCTIS assessment you do not need. Getting a refund is hard work.

Gather All Relevant Academic Documents

Collect your degree certificate, transcripts, mark sheets, and any extra documents. ECCTIS usually needs both the degree certificate and the transcripts for a full assessment. Missing documents slow everything down.

Get Certified Translations of All Non-English Documents

Most people underestimate this step. Every document you send to ECCTIS that is not in English must come with a certified translation. So your Hindi mark sheets, your Arabic degree certificate, or your Chinese transcripts all need a professional certified translation first. Without it, ECCTIS will not process them.

The translation must be accurate and complete. ECCTIS assessors read it to work out what qualification you hold and at what level. A poor or partial translation can lead to a wrong result, or a lower comparability level than you deserve.

Create Your ECCTIS Account and Submit

Register at ecctis.com and start an application. Upload scans of your original documents next to the certified translations. Pay the fee (£59.40 including VAT for the standard service). You then get a confirmation reference number.

Wait for Processing (15–20 Working Days)

Standard processing takes 15–20 working days, or roughly 3–4 weeks. Do not send your visa application during this time. You need the Statement of Comparability first. If you have a visa deadline, pay for the priority service or plan at least 6 weeks ahead.

Receive and Review Your Statement of Comparability

ECCTIS sends the statement to you online. Check that the qualification level is what you expected. If there is a mistake, or you think the comparison is wrong, ECCTIS has a review process. It does add time.

Include Everything in Your Visa Application

Send the Statement of Comparability, your certified translations, and your original documents (or certified copies) with your visa application. Home Office caseworkers can check the ECCTIS reference number online.

Country-Specific Qualification Systems and UK Equivalency

Countries name their qualifications in very different ways. A "Bachelor's" can be a 3-year, 4-year, or even 5-year course, depending on where you studied. The table below shows the most common qualification types from key countries, plus the UK ENIC level they usually match. Your exact result depends on your institution and your course.

Country	Local Qualification Name	Duration	Typical UK ENIC Comparability
India	Bachelor of Arts / Science / Commerce (3-year)	3 years	Comparable to UK Bachelor's degree (RQF Level 6) — though some assessors note it as "below Bachelor's Honours"
	Bachelor of Engineering / Technology (B.Tech / BE)	4 years	Comparable to UK Bachelor's degree with Honours (RQF Level 6)
	Master of Arts / Science / Technology	2 years post-Bachelor	Comparable to UK Master's degree (RQF Level 7)
China	Benke (本科) — Bachelor's degree	4 years	Comparable to UK Bachelor's degree (RQF Level 6)
China	Shuoshi (硕士) — Master's degree	2–3 years post-Benke	Comparable to UK Master's degree (RQF Level 7)
Nigeria	Bachelor's degree (B.Sc / BA / B.Eng)	4–5 years	Comparable to UK Bachelor's degree with Honours (RQF Level 6)
Nigeria	Higher National Diploma (HND)	2–3 years post-secondary	Comparable to UK HND (RQF Level 5)
Pakistan	Bachelor's degree (2-year after FSc / FA)	2 years (14-year system)	May be comparable to UK Higher National Certificate / Diploma (RQF Level 4–5)
Pakistan	Bachelor's (Hons) / BS (4-year programme)	4 years (16-year system)	Comparable to UK Bachelor's degree (RQF Level 6)
Philippines	Bachelor's degree (BS / AB / BBA)	4 years	Comparable to UK Bachelor's degree (RQF Level 6)
Philippines	Master's degree (MA / MS / MBA)	1.5–2 years post-Bachelor	Comparable to UK Master's degree (RQF Level 7)

Important Disclaimer

The levels above are a general guide, based on typical ECCTIS assessments. Your real result depends on your institution, how long the course ran, and what you studied. Only UK ENIC can issue an official Statement of Comparability for your qualification. Do not rely on these general levels in a formal application. Get an official assessment whenever one is needed.

Translation Requirements for ECCTIS Submission

ECCTIS has clear rules about the translations it accepts. A weak translation will delay your assessment. You may have to send everything again, which adds weeks.

What ECCTIS Requires from Translations

It must cover the whole document, accurately — no summaries, no missing parts
It must include a professional certification statement confirming accuracy, signed by the translator
It must show the translator's full name, contact details, and qualifications or professional membership
It must state the date of translation
Every table, grade, date, and course title must be translated, not left in the original language
The layout should copy the original document, so assessors can compare the two easily

A certified translation that meets UKVI standards also meets ECCTIS standards. The rules line up. So if your translation is UKVI-certified, it is almost certainly fine for ECCTIS too.

When Certified Translation Alone Is Sufficient

It is just as useful to know when you do not need an ECCTIS assessment. For many applicants, a certified translation of the academic documents is all they need.

Spouse / Partner Visa (Family Visas)

The Spouse or Partner visa route does not ask for academic qualifications. If you do send academic documents (which is rare), you need a translation but not an ECCTIS assessment.

ILR Based on Marriage / Long Residence

Indefinite Leave to Remain based on family life or long residence needs no qualification assessment. Proof of English (the B1 test, or a degree taught in English) is a separate thing from ECCTIS.

Standard Visitor Visa

Visitors do not have to show any qualification level. People rarely send academic documents with a visitor application, and ECCTIS assessment is never needed.

Student Visa (Most Cases)

Your university checks your qualifications during admissions. You need a certified translation of your transcripts and degree certificate. But the visa itself usually does not need an ECCTIS assessment.

Settlement After Skilled Worker (ILR)

Applying for ILR after five years on the Skilled Worker route? You do not have to prove your qualifications again. They were checked when you first applied.

Graduate Route

This visa is for people who finished a UK degree. Your qualification is already in English, and the Home Office already knows about it from your student visa. So you need no ECCTIS assessment and no translation.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Derail Applications

Mistake 1: Submitting Untranslated Documents to ECCTIS

People assume ECCTIS can read the original language, because they are experts in international qualifications. They cannot, or will not, process documents that are not translated. Your application gets rejected and you have to start again.

Mistake 2: Confusing ECCTIS Evaluation with Translation

Some people pay for an ECCTIS assessment and think their documents are now "done" for the Home Office. ECCTIS only issues a Statement of Comparability. It does not translate your documents. The Home Office still wants to see certified translations of the documents themselves.

Mistake 3: Getting ECCTIS Assessment When It Is Not Required

Paying £59.40 for an assessment you do not need wastes money and time. Check with your sponsor employer, your university, or the Home Office guidance before you order one. For most visa routes, a translation on its own is enough.

Mistake 4: Leaving Insufficient Time for ECCTIS Processing

Standard processing takes 15–20 working days. If you order the assessment close to your visa deadline, you will end up panicking. Plan for the ECCTIS wait and leave at least 6 weeks before your visa deadline.

Mistake 5: Submitting Only the Degree Certificate Without Transcripts

ECCTIS usually needs the degree certificate (which confirms the award) and the transcripts (which show what you studied and for how long). Send only the certificate and you may get a thinner Statement of Comparability, or a request for more documents. Either way, that adds weeks.

Mistake 6: Using Machine Translation or Informal Translations for ECCTIS

ECCTIS does not accept machine translations (Google Translate, DeepL). You need a certified human translation with a professional certification statement. Informal or uncertified translations get your ECCTIS application rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NARIC still valid, or do I need ECCTIS specifically?

NARIC and ECCTIS are the same organisation. NARIC changed its name to ECCTIS in 2021. If you already hold a Statement of Comparability from the NARIC days, it is still valid. The Home Office and most employers accept both NARIC and ECCTIS references. You do not need a new statement just because the name changed.

Can I submit my visa application while waiting for my ECCTIS assessment?

If the Statement of Comparability is a must for your visa type, do not apply before it arrives. The Home Office may refuse your application, or put it on hold, when required evidence is missing. So send your ECCTIS application early: at least 6 weeks before you plan to apply for the visa.

Does my employer need to pay for the ECCTIS assessment, or is it my responsibility?

The ECCTIS fee is usually yours to pay. Some employers pay it back as part of a relocation package, but that depends on your contract. You pay the £59.40 (including VAT) straight to ECCTIS when you send your application.

My degree is from a top-ranked university — do I still need ECCTIS?

University rankings do not replace a formal credential evaluation. A degree from a top overseas university still needs an ECCTIS assessment if your visa type calls for one. The Home Office wants formal proof of UK equivalency. It makes no exceptions for reputation, even for graduates of universities that rank above UK ones.

What if ECCTIS gives my qualification a lower level than expected?

You can ask ECCTIS for a review if you think the Statement of Comparability is wrong. That might happen if your 4-year Honours degree came back at a lower level than you expected. Send extra evidence, such as syllabi, course descriptions, or information about your institution. A review takes more time, often 10 working days or more, so allow for that if you have a deadline. Sometimes the real problem is a poor translation: the assessor misread the qualification because of translation errors. In that case, send it again with a better translation.

ENIC-NARIC & ECCTIS Credential Evaluation for UK Visa: When Translation Isn't Enough