Which UK Work Visas May Need Translated Documents?
UK work routes include the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa and several Temporary Work and Global Business Mobility routes. The documents required depend on the route and the applicant’s circumstances, so there is no single list of documents that every work-visa applicant must translate.
The former Tier 2 (General) route is no longer the current work-visa route. It was replaced by the Skilled Worker route. Applicants should therefore use the current GOV.UK guidance for the visa they are applying for rather than relying on old Tier 2 checklists.
When a Translation Is Required
Current Skilled Worker guidance states that if documents provided with the application are not in English or Welsh, the applicant must provide a certified translation. The same principle appears across several other current work routes.
This does not mean that every possible employment or education document must be translated. Translate the documents you are actually required to submit and that are not already in English or Welsh.
Examples of Documents That May Be Relevant
- Criminal record certificates where the route or occupation requires them.
- Relationship evidence where dependants are applying and the relevant document is not in English or Welsh.
- Financial evidence where the route requires proof of funds and the evidence is in another language.
- Qualifications or professional documents where they are actually required for the application or a related assessment.
- Evidence of overseas employment for routes that request it.
For a route-specific page focused on Skilled Worker applications, see our Skilled Worker visa translation guide.
What a Certified Translation Should Contain
Current Home Office Skilled Worker caseworker guidance says a translation should be provided by a professional translator or translation company that can be independently verified. It should include:
- confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the document;
- the date of translation;
- the full name and signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company; and
- the translator or translation company’s contact details.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Translation Is Usually Not the Issue
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record assigned by a licensed sponsor, not a paper certificate that every applicant needs translated. The applicant normally uses the CoS reference number in the visa application. If you have a separate foreign-language employment document, translate that only if it is required for the application and the route’s guidance requires an English or Welsh version.
How to Prepare Documents for Translation
- Confirm the exact work-visa route.
- Check the current document list on GOV.UK.
- Identify which required documents are not in English or Welsh.
- Send complete, legible copies including stamps and reverse sides where relevant.
- Tell the translator the immigration route and intended use.
For professional support, see our visa translation service or immigration translation service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tier 2 still a current UK work visa?
No. The old Tier 2 (General) route was replaced by the Skilled Worker route. Use current Skilled Worker guidance for new applications.
Do all work-visa documents need translation?
No. Translate the supporting documents the route requires when they are not already in English or Welsh.
Can I translate the documents myself?
Where the route requires a certified translation, current Home Office guidance expects a professional, independently verifiable translation rather than a self-translation.
Sources and Review
Last reviewed: 17 September 2026. Primary sources checked: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker documents, Home Office — Skilled Worker caseworker guidance, and GOV.UK — Certificates of Sponsorship.
