Overseas Criminal Record Certificate Translation for UK Visa
Many UK visa routes ask for a police certificate from each country you have lived in. This includes ILR, naturalisation and some sponsored worker visas. If the certificate is not in English, you must have it translated by a certified translator.
The UKVI "good character" rule applies to everyone applying for ILR, for naturalisation and for some other immigration applications. Part of showing good character is proving you have no criminal record in any country where you lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. If those certificates are in another language, you need a certified translation before you send them to UKVI.
Which Visa Routes Require Overseas Police Certificates?
You will usually need a police certificate for:
- ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) on most routes
- British citizenship / naturalisation
- Long residence ILR (10-year route, Appendix Long Residence)
- Some entry clearance applications, if you have lived in several countries
- Sponsor licence applications, if key staff have lived abroad
Country-by-Country: Obtaining and Translating Police Certificates
| Country | Document Name | Issuing Authority | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | Passport Seva Kendra / Regional Passport Office | English — no translation needed |
| Pakistan | Police Character Certificate | District Police via NADRA | Urdu / English — translate Urdu version |
| China | 无犯罪记录证明 | Local Public Security Bureau | Chinese — translation required |
| Nigeria | Police Clearance Certificate | Nigeria Police Force HQ | English — no translation needed |
| Brazil | Antecedentes Criminais | Polícia Federal | Portuguese — translation required |
| Philippines | National Bureau of Investigation Clearance | National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) | English — no translation needed |
| France | Casier judiciaire national (Bulletin B3) | Casier Judiciaire National, Nantes | French — translation required |
| Germany | Führungszeugnis | Bundesamt für Justiz | German — translation required |
| UAE | Police Clearance Certificate | Ministry of Interior / Emirates Police | Arabic / English — translate Arabic version |
| Poland | Zaświadczenie o niekaralności | Krajowy Rejestr Karny | Polish — translation required |
What the Translation Must Include
A certified translation of an overseas police certificate for UKVI must show all of this correctly:
Essential Elements in the Translated Police Certificate
- The full name and date of birth of the subject as shown in the certificate
- The date of issue of the certificate
- The name of the issuing authority
- Whether the record is clear or shows convictions. If it shows convictions, every detail of them
- Any reference or registration numbers on the certificate
If the Certificate Shows Convictions: Translate Everything
If your certificate shows convictions, a complete and accurate translation matters even more. The UKVI caseworker has to judge whether the conviction affects your good character. A partial or wrong translation of the details can lead to a refusal or a long delay. Never translate part of a conviction or sum it up. Translate the whole certificate exactly as it stands.
Validity of Police Certificates
A police certificate is usually only valid for a short time after it is issued. Six months is common, but it varies by country. UKVI expects a recent certificate, because it should show your record at the time you apply. So do not get one months before you plan to apply. And do not order the translation until you hold the certificate and are ready to send everything in.
Costs and Turnaround
| Service | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Translation | 24 hours | From £17.99/page |
| Rush Translation | 8 hours | From £29.99/page |
| Same-Day Translation | Same day, on request | From £29.99/page |
Frequently Asked Questions
I lived in a country that does not issue police certificates to non-citizens. What do I do?
Some countries will not give a police certificate to foreign nationals or former residents. UKVI guidance accepts this. If you truly cannot get one, write a statement explaining why. Include any other evidence you have from that time, such as employer records or proof of where you lived. Ask an immigration adviser about your own case.
My Chinese police certificate (无犯罪记录证明) is from a district bureau, not a provincial bureau. Does it matter?
Local Public Security Bureaus (PSB) in China issue these certificates at several levels of government. For a UK visa, what matters is that the certificate covers the place and the dates you lived in China. If UKVI wants a certificate from a particular level, your immigration adviser can tell you. We translate whichever certificate you have, and we give the issuing authority's name exactly.
My police certificate is apostilled by the issuing country. Is this required for UKVI?
UKVI does not normally ask for an apostille on a police certificate. The certified translation is enough. If yours does carry an apostille, that wording should be translated too, as part of the full document. Some people get an apostille as extra proof. That is fine, but UKVI does not require it.
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