Police Clearance Certificate Translation for UK Settlement & ILR
Police clearance certificates are required for settlement, ILR and citizenship applications. Most of them also need a certified translation. Here's what you need to know.
To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British citizenship, you must send a police clearance certificate from every country where you lived for 12 months or more since you turned 18. For most people, at least one of those certificates is not in English. That one needs a certified police certificate translation. This guide shows which countries issue certificates in English, what makes certain countries tricky, and how to time your applications.
When Are Police Certificates Required?
Required For
- Settlement (ILR) after 5 years on a qualifying visa
- British Citizenship/Naturalisation (Form AN)
- Any country lived in 12+ months since age 18
- Some employer-sponsored roles (healthcare, education, childcare)
NOT Required For
- • Initial work visa applications (Skilled Worker)
- • Student visa applications
- • Standard Visitor visas
- • Initial spouse visa (first application)
- • Children under 18
Which Countries Issue Certificates in English?
Issued in English (No Translation Needed)
- • USA — FBI Identity History Summary
- • Australia — AFP National Police Check
- • Canada — RCMP Criminal Record Check
- • South Africa — SAPS Police Clearance
- • Kenya — DCI Certificate of Good Conduct
- • Ghana — Police Clearance Certificate
- • Nigeria — Police Character Certificate (most states)
- • New Zealand — Ministry of Justice
Translation Required
- • India (regional language certificates)
- • Pakistan, China, Russia, Poland
- • Turkey, Thailand, Japan, South Korea
- • France, Germany, Italy, Spain
- • All Middle Eastern countries
- • Most South American countries
- • Most Eastern European countries
- • Most African countries (non-Anglophone)
Country-Specific Guides
India
The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) comes from a Passport Seva Kendra. The central PCC is in English. Regional certificates are often in Hindi or a local language. It takes 1-3 weeks.
Russia
The Справка о несудимости comes from the МВД (Ministry of Internal Affairs). It is always in Russian Cyrillic, so names must be transliterated in full. It takes 2-4 weeks.
Thailand
หนังสือรับรองความประพฤติ comes from the Criminal Records Division in Bangkok. It is in Thai script only. It takes 2-3 weeks, in person or through the embassy.
Poland
The Zaświadczenie o niekaralności comes from the KRK (National Criminal Register). You can apply online through e-KRK. It takes 1-2 weeks.
Turkey
The Adli Sicil Belgesi comes from e-Devlet (the government portal) or your local courthouse. It is in Turkish. With a Turkish e-ID you can get it online in seconds.
China
无犯罪记录证明 comes from your local Public Security Bureau. A Chinese notary must notarise it. It is written entirely in Simplified Chinese. It takes 2-8 weeks.
ACRO Certificates (UK Police)
For Your Time in the UK
If you have lived in the UK, you also need an ACRO Police Certificate for that time. Key facts:
- Already in English: No translation needed
- Cost: £55 per certificate
- Processing time: Up to 40 working days (plan ahead!)
- Application: Online through ACRO Criminal Records Office
- Validity: 6 months from date of issue
The ACRO certificate is one of the slowest documents to get. Apply at least 3 months before you plan to send your visa application.
UKVI Requirements for Police Certificate Translation
Translation Checklist
- Every word translated, including the name and address of the issuing authority
- Your name spelled exactly as it appears in your passport
- Date of issue clearly translated
- The result translated, even when it says "no criminal record"
- Official stamps and seals described
- Reference/certificate number included
- Standard UKVI translator certification statement
Validity and Timing
Police Certificates Are Only Valid for 6 Months
This is the timing point that catches most people out. Your certificate must be less than 6 months old on the day you send your visa application. Here is a timeline that works:
- • 4-5 months before you apply: Ask for certificates from the slow countries (China takes 2-8 weeks, ACRO up to 40 working days)
- • 3 months before: Ask for the rest of your certificates
- • 1-2 weeks before: Order certified translations of every certificate that is not in English
- • The day you apply: Check that each certificate is still inside its 6-month window
Worst case: you order a certificate too early and it expires before you apply. Then you must get a new one. Leave extra time for the second translation.
Multiple Countries
You need a police certificate from every country where you lived for 12 months or more since you turned 18. That includes countries where you:
- Worked (even on a temporary visa)
- Studied (university, postgraduate)
- Completed military service
- Lived with a spouse or partner
- Were a dependent on someone else's visa
Lived in 4 countries? You need 4 certificates. Start with the slowest country. If your work has moved you around, you may need 5 or more. Plan well ahead.
What If You Can't Obtain a Certificate?
Countries Where Certificates Are Unavailable
Some countries do not issue police clearance certificates. In others, conflict has shut down the offices that used to. If that applies to you:
- • Write a full letter explaining why you cannot get the certificate
- • Add proof of the situation in that country, such as news reports or FCDO travel advice
- • Send anything you can instead, such as character references or employer letters
- • UKVI can waive the requirement in genuine cases
This often applies to Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan, and to parts of other countries affected by conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a police certificate for short visits abroad?
No. The rule covers countries where you lived for 12 months or more in a row. Holidays, business trips and stays under 12 months do not count. But several shorter stays in one unbroken period can add up to 12 months and count. The test is whether you were "ordinarily resident" there.
What if my police certificate expires before my visa decision?
If your certificate was valid on the day you applied, UKVI normally still accepts it, even if it expires while they decide. UKVI judges your documents as they were on the submission date. If your case drags on past 6 months and UKVI asks for updated papers, you may need a fresh certificate.
Can I get a police certificate from the UK embassy in my country?
No. UK embassies do not issue other countries' police certificates. You must apply to the police force or named agency in each country. Some let you apply online or by post from abroad, such as Poland through e-KRK and Turkey through e-Devlet. Others want you there in person, or someone applying for you.
Do children need police certificates?
Usually not. Only applicants aged 18 and over need them. A child listed as a dependant on a parent's application does not need one. But if that child has turned 18 by the time you apply, and has lived abroad for 12 months or more since their 18th birthday, they do need certificates.
What counts as "lived in" a country — does studying count?
Yes. "Lived in" means you were ordinarily resident there. The reason does not matter. Study, work, joining a spouse, military service and anything else all count if you were there for 12 months or more. The question is simple: was that country your main home?
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