A minor error in translation has been noted as one of the most common reasons for UK visa rejection. Every documentation presented during the immigration process is important for proving the applicant’s identity, checking their eligibility for immigration status and verifying their legal right to enter the country. Hence, the level of scrutiny given to documents submitted in English is the same as given to the ones submitted in other languages which is why interested applicants need to obtain a Certificate of Translation This article will walk you through what a certified translation is, its importance, the documents needed, the cost of certified translations, common mistakes to avoid and how to find a certified translator.
What is a Certified Translation?
A translated document is considered certified when it has been verified by a translator and a certifying body. The duty of the translator is to confirm that the translated document is true and accurate.
There are two types of translators – those that are self-certified and others that are certified by an association. Self-certifiers can be accredited translation companies and qualified translators who work in line with government guidelines.
As long as the translated documents meet the requirements of the country you are applying to, they will be legally accepted. Each country has its own method of regulating official translators but most countries will require a translation accuracy certificate.
Elements required of a certified translation include the translator’s name, signature, stamp or seal, an accurate statement, contact information, date, and the languages involved.
Why Are Certified Translations Required for Immigration?
Certified translations are required in most countries because they must be authentic and legally valid before it is presented to the court, government agencies, or other official bodies.
This rule has been codified in specific regulations depending on the jurisdiction which then makes it for certified translators to be officially registered or sworn in by a court.
Inaccurate translations usually come with grave consequences such as the applicant being considered a potential security risk, loss of rights, deportation, denial of visas or applications and legal complications.
To prevent any immigrant from having to pass through any of the above-listed consequences, various countries demand certified translations to guarantee fairness and transparency in the immigration process.
Once certified translations meet government requirements and the required level of accuracy, it can increase the credibility of one’s application, hasten the processing times, and reduce the risk of errors.
One misconception that immigrants must do away with is the idea that just anyone can translate immigration documents. The translators must not only be certified, they also have to be experts in legal terminology.
Documents Requiring Certified Translation in Immigration
These are documents that require certified translation for immigration processes:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Academic transcripts
- Police certificates or records
- Financial documents
- Medical records
- Bank statements
- Legal documents
- Personal letters of support, etc
How to Find a Reputable Certified Translator
Now that the importance of a reputable certified translator has been explained, where can an immigrant find one?
The first place an immigrant should look is in a professional translator association or agency. You can also check online directories or get referrals from immigration lawyers or other professionals.
If you find a translator, do your due diligence to check his/her credentials and verify his/her experience.
This is vital to the success of your application because whatever error he or she makes will affect your visa application.
You can demand to see samples of previous work to ensure it meets the required standard. When you have finally decided on the translator to hire, ensure you give him/her all the necessary information about the visa process.
You should also discuss the fee to pay him/her, the deadlines for submitting the documents to the immigration authorities and the project scope as part of the contract between the two of you.
There is no shortcut to getting quality certified documents. You will not get away with using unqualified translators or machine translations for official documents as they are prone to error.
The Cost of Certified Translation
There is no specific amount to pay a translator as there are certain factors that can influence the cost of certified translation such as document length, turnaround time, language pair, complexity, etc.
If you want to know a general price range for certified translation services, you may want to check the official website of the country you are applying for the visa.
Where you cannot find a satisfactory price range, you can interview multiple translators and get quotes from them. This will help you to make an informed decision that will not only get you the right service but will also save costs.
You must remember that if you are to choose between a cheap service and a quality translation, then the quality translation should be your best bet regardless of the fee attached to it. In the long run, you will discover that quality is cheaper than cost-cutting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are common mistakes immigrants must avoid when obtaining certified documents, and they include:
- Improperly formatted documents.
- Hiring unqualified translators
- Certified translations not mirroring the format of the original document.
- Using machine translation without human review
- Failing to provide clear instructions to the translator
- Missing deadlines
- Submitting incomplete or inaccurate translations
- Not proofreading the translated documents.
If these mistakes are successfully avoided, you will most likely have a smooth visa application.
Conclusion
Remember that the more accurate the certified translations of your immigration documents are, the lesser risk you stand of being denied a visa or facing legal consequences.
If you hire a certified translator with the right amount of experience and qualifications, he/she will help you ensure accuracy and compliance to the country’s regulation.
Don’t gamble with this opportunity because you are trying to cut costs, you should seek professional translation services for your immigration needs.
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