Applying for a visa from South Africa for any country can be a long-winded and sometimes difficult process depending on your situation and unless you have dual citizenship or the EU’s freedom of movement, uncertainty and impermanence will be your constant companion. Depending on what type of visa you are interested in pursuing, you will need to submit different kinds of supporting documents, but what they all will have in common is they need to be translated. It is common regulation that documents that are not in English or in the primary official language of the country where you wish to secure a visa, should be accompanied by certified translations. These translations must bear the seal and signature of the sworn translator in order to be accepted by the consulates, embassies, and foreign authorities.
List of Documents for Visa Application Documents Translation
There are typically a number of personal documents that are required when submitting an application for a visa, whether it is for permanent residence, a study visa, a business visa, or a tourism visa. Your ability to stay and live in a foreign country is tied to the length and validity of a visa. Some visas are good for five years. Some only last for one before they must be renewed. And with every renewal comes the fear that a paperwork mistake or government mix-up will prevent you from carrying on life in your new country. It is common practice for embassies and consulates to require a fully-certified original translation for each supporting document applicants provide that is not in the host country’s official language.
The following documents which translation is required for consulate are the most widespread:
- Personal documentation: passport, international passport, medical insurance policy, birth/marriage/divorce certificate, employment reference, bank statement, certification of criminal background check, unpaid penalties, home ownership (in case of existence), etc.
- Depending on work status: employment record, primary state registration number, pension certificate, etc.
- For minors: birth certificate, notarized permission / power of attorney from parents, etc.
- In case of the business trip: contracts, bank payment documentation, etc.
- For departure in the educational purposes: student ID card, educational certificates and diplomas (the highest, additional, etc.), the invitation letter from the foreign university (in case of existence), etc.
- For departure for medical purposes: medical policy, analyses data, etc.
Importance of Visa Application Documents Translation
The difference in laws throughout countries means every country has its own supporting document requirements which are needed when submitting visa applications. A visa application will be delayed or even rejected if the translation of an important document is rejected. This is the case anywhere in the world and South Africa is not an exception to it. Translation of your visa application supporting documents makes the process becomes less complicated because you have all the information at your disposal which will guide you.
A visa application document translation involves the careful and accurate translation of every sentence and phrase from the source document into the official language of the host country. As most personal documents have a legal significance, visa translations are best left to specialised legal translators. In saying that, we also offer extract translations (summaries and/or partial translations) to save you time and money. Each document is unique. This means that the translator dealing with the visa translation must take into consideration all components of the document, including any watermarks, seals, company and governmental names, and contact details.
It is usually necessary for the visa translation to be certified by the translator who has provided the service. The certification provides an assurance that the translated document is accurate.
Frenchside your visa translation partner 100% Acceptance Guarantee
We guarantee to translate your document to the accepted foreign embassies or consulates standard. Whether you contact us from within South Africa or in another country altogether, we can translate your document from or into English, French, Portuguese, German, and Spanish within just 24 hours.
Embassies only share with you, what is required, when is it required, how and why. How you come up with those documents is based entirely on you as an individual. Experiencing the process of applying for a visa with an embassy can be tough and it can turn into a costly and time-consuming process. Sometimes the instructions may seem to be vague, so it is always a good idea to address somebody who is experienced in multiple directions.
Frenchside translation has been operating for nearly 10 years, providing quality and professional translation. Our expert team of visa application document translators has the right skills, the right experience, and the right training to handle any supporting document translation needs you may have.
Contact us to benefit from the quality and rapid solutions for your visa application documents translation requirements!
