How to Get Certified Translation of Passport from Portuguese to English for UKVI

A Real Translation Case Study

When a Passport Translation Becomes Urgent

Every week, certified translation agencies receive urgent messages that start with the same sentence:

This article walks through a real-world translation project involving the certified translation of a Portuguese passport into English for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Rather than explaining the process in abstract terms, we’ll follow a realistic client request, show how such projects are handled, and explain why certified passport translation is essential, who needs it, how much it costs, and what benefits it brings.

If you’re applying for a UK visa, citizenship, settlement, or sponsoring a family member, this is exactly the kind of situation you might face. How to get certified translation of Passport to English for the UKVI.

The Translation Project: A Realistic Client Scenario

The Client’s Situation

Ana, a Portuguese national living in Lisbon, received a job offer from a UK-based healthcare provider. The employer agreed to sponsor her Skilled Worker visa, but UKVI required all non-English documents to be submitted with a certified English translation. Certified translation of documents in the UK.

One of the key documents was her Portuguese passport.

The email we received was short and anxious:

This is a very common request, especially from applicants who are unfamiliar with UK immigration rules and only discover the translation requirement at the last minute. Certified translation of Passport.

What Exactly Needed to Be Translated?

For UKVI purposes, a passport translation does not mean translating the entire booklet page by page. Typically, the translation includes:

• Passport holder’s full name

• Date and place of birth

• Nationality

• Passport number

• Date of issue and expiry

• Issuing authority

• MRZ (machine-readable zone), if required

• Any observation or endorsement pages, if relevant

Blank pages are not translated, but every visible piece of information on the identity page must be accurately rendered into English. How to get certified translation of documents in the UK.

Why UKVI Requires Passport Translation

UKVI follows strict documentation standards. If a document is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a certified translation that:

• Is complete and accurate

• Is performed by a professional translator

• Includes a signed certification statement

• Contains the translator’s name, signature, and contact details

• Confirms that the translation is a true and faithful representation

Without a certified translation, the application may be:

• Delayed

• Rejected as invalid

• Returned without being considered

In Ana’s case, submitting her Portuguese passport without translation would have meant losing her visa appointment slot.

How We Normally Respond to a Passport Translation Request

Step 1: Document Review

As soon as we received the scanned copy of the passport, we checked:

• Image quality

• Completeness of visible information

• Whether UKVI-specific certification wording was required

This step ensures there are no compliance issues later.

Step 2: Confirming the Purpose

We asked one simple question:

Why this matters:

• UKVI requires specific certification language

• Some institutions accept standard certification, but UKVI does not

Step 3: Price Quote and Timeline

Once confirmed, we issued a clear quote:

• Certified translation of Portuguese passport → English

• Price: from £25 per document

• Turnaround: same day or next working day

For urgent cases, express delivery is often available.

Step 4: Human Translation (No Automation)

The translation was completed by a human professional translator, fluent in Portuguese and English, familiar with UK immigration terminology.

No machine translation. No shortcuts.

Step 5: Certification and Delivery

The final document included:

• Translator’s certification statement

• Signature and date

• Contact details

• Declaration of accuracy

Ana received:

• A PDF copy for online submission

• A print-ready version if UKVI later requested a physical copy

Why Translating a Passport Is Not Just “Simple Translation”

Many applicants assume passport translation is easy. In reality, it requires:

• Knowledge of official document formatting

• Correct transliteration of names

• Consistency with other documents (birth certificates, diplomas)

• Awareness of UKVI’s rejection triggers

A single inconsistency — for example, a name spelled differently from another translated document — can cause serious delays.

Prospects and Benefits of Certified Passport Translation

1. UKVI Compliance

The most obvious benefit: your application is accepted.

Certified translations meet UKVI’s formal standards, reducing the risk of refusal.

2. Faster Processing

Clear, accurate translations mean:

• Fewer follow-up requests

• No document re-submission

• Faster decision timelines

3. Professional Credibility

Submitting properly translated documents shows:

• Serious intent

• Preparedness

• Attention to detail

This matters, especially in employment-based visas.

4. Reusability

Once translated, the passport translation can often be reused for:

• Bank applications

• Employer HR checks

• University enrolment

• NHS registration

Who May Require a Certified Passport Translation?

Certified translations of passports from Portuguese to English are commonly required by:

UK Government & Immigration

• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

• Home Office

• Border agencies

Employers

• UK sponsors

• HR departments

• Recruitment agencies

Educational Institutions

• Universities

• Colleges

• Professional qualification bodies

Legal & Financial Institutions

• Solicitors

• Banks

• Mortgage lenders

• Notaries

Individuals

• Visa applicants

• Spouses of UK residents

• Students

• Skilled workers

• Permanent residency applicants

Pricing: How Much Does Passport Translation Cost?

Certified passport translation is typically priced per document, not per word.

Standard Pricing

• From £25 / €25 / $25 per passport

• Includes:

  • Full translation

  • Certification

  • Digital delivery

Factors That May Affect Price

• Urgent turnaround

• Additional pages with stamps or endorsements

• Multiple passports

Importantly, cheapest is not always safest. UKVI refusals due to improper translation often cost far more than the translation itself.

Why Professional Human Translation Is Essential

UKVI does not accept:

• Google Translate

• AI-only translations

• Uncertified freelance translations without credentials

A professional service ensures:

• Accuracy

• Legal validity

• Accountability

In Ana’s case, the translation was accepted without any follow-up questions, and her visa was approved on time.

Final Thoughts: A Small Document with Big Importance

A passport may be a small document, but in immigration terms, it carries enormous weight.

Translating a Portuguese passport into English for UKVI is not just a formality — it’s a legal requirement that directly affects visa outcomes.

Handled correctly, it’s quick, affordable, and stress-free. Handled incorrectly, it can delay life-changing plans.

If you’re in a similar position to Ana — preparing documents, facing deadlines, and navigating UKVI requirements — choosing a professional certified translation service makes all the difference.