Beta - This website is undergoing maintenance, upgrades and various eTesting meaning, certain features may not be working, apologies for any inconvenience

Welcome to Document Guidance

We will help you understand the process and what document evidence you to need to follow for your application. We will also guide you on different methods to scan your documents to comply with how the Home Office would like them including using different devices and tools to scan.

eForms

Our law firm has been providing immigration services since 2006 and we specialise in visa entry to obtaining British passport, business compliance and cloud technology.
Apply for 30 minutes free consultation

Documentation Guidance  Introduction

To help you understand this section, we have split the information into 3 areas

Documentation essentials

This section will explain what are the essential documents we will require from you and useful guidance why we need this evidence as each application to the Home Office will vary in what we need.

Scanning your documents

This section will explain how to prepare your documents  using various scanning tools and, how to merge your files, naming each file and ensuring your file sizes are not too large to upload to the Home Office portal.

Document checklist

This section will explain what evidence you must provide based on your visa type, UK sponsor, family status and immigration rules you must meet depending what data the  eForm tells you to upload.

Documentation essentials - Introduction

When our law firm assesses your pre-client care letter application form, we will clarify with you if you meet the Home Office rules to apply to enter or remain in the UK under a work visa.


Every person applying to enter or remain in the UK will be unique because of their unique circumstances. The Home Office guidelines and immigration rules will need to be met to satisfy the caseworker who will decide if your application should be granted, rejected or refused.


Documentation Guidelines

All document evidence must be uploaded to your PCCL or Top-Up eForm. All documents must be correctly named as per the document guidance. You must have a valid travel document unless we have agreed with you otherwise. Incorrect scanned or named files may be rejected and we may request you to resend.

1. Evidence guide

Below evidence is a guide to likely evidence required for certain work visa application types but you may be requested to provide other evidence to support  your application.


  1. Identification
  2. Immigration history
  3. Home details
  4. National ID cards
  5. Birth certificate(s), Marriage, Divorce and Deaths
  6. Financials or Maintenance
  7. Medical evidence
  8. English & Life in the UK Test
  9. Family members
  10. Cohabitation (Family visas)
  11. Global travel
  12. UK sponsors
  13. Good character issues.

2. Immigration


If you have any UK immigration history regardless when it took place, you must disclose all immigration history to us.


Immigration evidence can be:

  • Endorsement stickers in your passport.
  • Entry stamps in your passport.
  • Biometric Residence Card or Residence Permit to live in the UK.
  • UK visa applications forms.
  • UK visa refusals or rejection letters of your visa application.
  • Any correspondence (emails or letters) from UK Home Office.
  • Temporary travel permit.
  • Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to work in the UK.
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to study in the UK.
  • Administrative Reviews or Appeals where your visa was refused.
  • Legal representatives' correspondence representing you in the UK.


If you have any of the above, you are required to scan front and back of all these documents including blank pages in any of your travel documents. Note: Not all evidence will be required for your visa application, but as a law firm we will decide which evidence should be submitted as part of your visa evidence.


Note: Travel history falls under a different category.

3. Home Details


Home details will depend where you are currently living and who with.


Home Office visa forms can ask for property evidence up to 5 years which can include UK and overseas addresses. we will require from you the following:


  • Full home address including town/city, region/suburb/county, country and zip/post codes.
  • Exact dates you lived at each property such as 06.07.2022 to 27.12.2023.
  • Current property - who owns it, you, parents, privately rented, state/council owned.
  • Current property - mortgage or rent you pay per calendar month.


We will require an official document such as an HMRC, DWP, NHS, Financial statement, utility bill etc., clearly showing your full name dated within the last 3. The official document must also show the address you live. If you are living with your partner (regardless of if they are also applying for a visa), the document can be in your name or joint names. Note: Your home address must be the address we disclose in your visa application form.


If you plan to move homes during the process, you must inform us of this.

4.  National ID cards


National ID cards are applicable if applying to enter the UK but if you are applying to remain in the UK, we may need to provide these details.


Do you need to provide us a national ID card?


Go to this link to verify.


If you do need to provide a copy of your national ID card, you must scan front and back.


Note: Your national ID card will note be sent to the Home Office as part of your document evidence, but we need to verify the data for your visa application.


If your National ID card has expired and you are unable to obtain a new one, please provide your most recent ID card and explain in the PCCL form your reasons.

5.  Birth certificate(s), Marriage, Divorce & Deaths


We may require evidence of your birth certificates, marriage or divorce evidence if married and if your partner is deceased, their death certificate.


If you are single or in an unmarried partner relationship, we do not require marriage, divorce or partner death certificate. We will need your birth certificate as we need to verify if passport and birth certificate names match.


Document list:

  • Birth certificates of people applying for a UK visa.
  • Birth certificates of people applying to remain in the UK and name has changed since UK entry.
  • Birth certificates of your children born in the UK.
  • If married a copy of your marriage certificate.
  • If divorced, copy of your divorce evidence. If divorce is pending provide this evidence.
  • If your partner is deceased, provide their death certificate.


We will require an official document dated within the last 3 months showing your name and property address you are currently living at. If you are living with your partner (regardless of if they are also applying for a visa), the document can be in your name or joint names. Note: Your home address must be the address we disclose in your visa application form.


If you are in the UK and your relationship with your partner has broken down, you must confirm when it broken down, where each party is living, who looks after any children and, if social service, police or courts are involved, provide all of this data.


If your partner has sadly passed away, we need a copy of their death certificate.


If you have children needing a visa to enter or remain in the UK, we need their birth certificate and current passport plus, proof where they will live and which education institute you plan to put them in which can be a nursery or any higher education establishment.

6.  Financials and Maintenance


Applications to the Home Office will require financial evidence to support your application and any family members.


As financials rules can be very complex, we can only list the key points below, but we will provide links to help you further. If you need help, feel free to contact us.


Work visas

If you are being sponsored to work in the UK, your sponsor can certify your maintenance in your assigned Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) (a virtual work permit) or you can provide your own money to support yourself which equates to £1270.00 and for family needing a visa (partner £285.00 and first child £315.00, second child and so on £200.


Settlement

If you applying to settle in the UK, financials will depend, if your current visa falls under:


Sponsored work

Current P60, most recent payslip, financial statement and employment letter).

  • Certifying maintenance

    Leave to Enter - sponsored worker

    A sponsored worker may not have to provide evidence of meeting the maintenance threshold of £1,270.00 if the UK sponsor (UK employer) does not certify maintenance within your assigned CoS which is your virtual work permit.


    Tip: Before the CoS is assigned


    Leave to Enter - family members

    The UK sponsor can also certify maintenance for all family members needing a visa as long as they fall under your worker visa as a family member.


    Leave to Remain - sponsored worker

    If you been in the UK over 12 months and you switch from your current visa to a work visa or change UK sponsors, your new UK sponsor can certify maintenance within your assigned Cos.


    If you need to provide your own finances, then refer to cash maintenance guidance.

  • Cash maintenance guidance

    Your money must be held in a regulatory financial institute and available for at least 28 days in a row.


    Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or your family members visa applications being submitted.


    Maintenance funds required:

    1. £1270.00 for sponsored worker.
    2. £285.00 for the partner.
    3. £315.00 for child 1.
    4. £200.00 for additional children.
  • Need help

    If you do not have the funds and unsure how to ask the UK sponsor to certify your maintenance, our law firm can do this for you. Simply hit the tab below and send us a message.

    Contact my sponsor

7.  Medical evidence


Medical evidence is only required for certain visa applications but if sponsored to work in the UK, you may be asked to provide a medical report.


Tuberculosis Test (TB)

You will need to have TB evidence if the following applies to you and any family members:

  • you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more.
  • you have lived in any of these listed countries for 6 months or more.
  • you were living there (or another listed country) within the last 6 months.


TB certificates can only be issued from UKVI approved clinics. Note: Only apply for your TB once we have confirmed your visa status.


What if I am pregnant?

You can choose from these options:
 

  • an x-ray with an extra shield to protect you and your unborn child in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
  • a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs) - there may be an extra fee, and you could wait up to 8 weeks for results.
  • to wait until after delivery.


If you are pregnant or have a medical condition and are concerned about having a TB test, click here for further guidance.

8.  English & Life in the UK Test


Passing English is mandatory for most visa applications and passing Life in the UK test is applying to settle/naturalise unless exempt.


The majority of visa applications will require evidence of English which can be a degree or English test certificate unless you are a holder of a passport approved as an English-speaking country. If you are a national of one of these countries, you meet the English requirements:


Antigua, Australia, Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.


If your passport is not on the above list, you must provide either:

  • UK qualification at Academic level will meet the English requirements. To learn more about the English rules, click here.
  • If you have an overseas degree taught 100% in English, you will need a ECCTIS report and a letter from the training institute that your degree was 100% taught in English. If you need to pass an English test, these are your only options:



Note: English test results are based on A1, A2, B1 or B2.

Visa Types Leave to Enter Leave to Remain Settlement Naturalisation
Charity Worker N/A N/A X X
Creative Worker N/A N/A X X
Graduate Trainee N/A X X X
Health & Care Worker B1 B1 B1 B1
International Sportsperson A1 A1 B1 B1
Minister of Religion B2 B2 B1 B1
Religious worker N/A N/A X X
Scale-up worker B1 B1 B1 B1
Secondment worker N/A N/A X X
Senior or Specialist worker B1 B1 B1 B1
Skilled worker B1 B1 B1 B1
UK expansion worker N/A N/A X X
UK Ancestry N/A N/A B1 B1
Youth Mobility Scheme N/A N/A X X

Above list of visa types are the most common ones but if your visa is not on the list, feel free to contact us for guidance.


N/A = English not required.

X = Not permitted to apply.

Life in the UK test

This is only applicable if you are applying to settle or naturalise in the UK. Once you pass this test, you never have to take the test again. To book the life in the UK test click here.


Check out below on how to obtain the material to study for the test and how to take a mock-up test.

  • Life in the UK Test

    Purchase the book/audio to help you prepare and take the test.

    Learn more >>

  • Apply for subscription

    This is the official site to learn and pass the test

    Apply>>

  • Provider 1 - Free UK mock-up test

    https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/


    Note: It is your responsibility to ensure this provider questions are current to the test.

    Learn more>>

  • Provider 2 - Free UK mock-up test

    https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/life-in-the-uk-test/


    Note: It is your responsibility to ensure this provider questions are current to the test.

    Learn more>>

9.  Family members


The family route under the points-based system (PBS).


The PBS work visa routes will only cover immediate family which are classed as:

  1. Husband
  2. Wide
  3. Civil partner
  4. Unmarried partner
  5. Children under 18
  6. Adult children 18+*


Document types requirements are:

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage or Civil partnership certificates
  • Divorce evidence
  • Deceased evidence
  • Legal documents if you are a legal guardian or have adopted a child.
  • UK legal documents if a court order or social services are involved in your family.


These documents must be provided if relevant to you, your partner and any children applying for a visa or relationships broken down.


Applications

Our firm would have advised you on the visa type available to you but if you feel there is an alternative route or your circumstances has changed, please let us know.

  • Single parent with children

    Can I apply as a single parent?

    If you are being sponsored under PBS immigration rules, you must provide either evidence to bring a child to the UK:

    1. Partner death certificate
    2. Sole custody order or any other legal document stating you have full decision masking over the child's best interest.
    3. Medical evidence that your partner is unable to make decision.
  • Unmarried partners

    If you are not legally married but are in a 'genuine relationship' that has been over 2 years, you are deemed as an unmarried partner which means you could apply as a partner.


    You will have to demonstrate over a two-year period of cohabitation meaning, every 6 months show evidence on official documents that you lived at the same address.

  • Applying separately

    Under the PBS immigration rules, both parents must have or are applying to enter or remain in the UK.


    Often a sponsor worker will come to the UK first then the family applies afterwards. If this is the case, the second parent must apply with the children.


    If both parents are in the UK, then you want to apply for the children, no issues, just remember to apply as soon as possible as long gaps when the family are apart may not look good in the Home Office eyes.


    If you leave your children overseas and both parents are in the UK, then ensure you have something in writing to demonstrate you still have the final say on your children.


    Applying to remain in the UK

    If you are the sponsored worker and you change your sponsor and your current permission in the UK is still valid, family members do not have apply with you and can apply before their visa expires.

    Contact my sponsor
  • Non-biological children

    If you have non-biological children such as adopted or are the child’s legal guardian, you must provide the legal evidence to demonstrate you have the right to make decisions for the child.

Contact Us

10. Cohabitation (Family visas)


Cohabitation can cover various visa routes and UK settlement.


What does cohabitation mean?

Two people living together regardless, if one or both parties require a visa. If you are classed as a married/civil partnership or unmarried partner, cohabitation is required unless exceptional circumstances apply. How people live their lives can be complex and can be not straightforward.


Below will help to explain what you need to provide to satisfy the caseworker deciding your visa application whether to Enter, Remain or Settle.

  • Leave to Enter - Spouse/Partner under Appendix FM

    If you are applying to enter the UK, we have two scenarios:

    1. Your partner resides in the UK and can provide financial information
    2. Your partner lives overseas and will return to the UK.

    Whichever you fall under, you must provide 24 months of evidence of living together and this can be UK and overseas combination. Evidence can include:


    • Financial statements.
    • HMRC, DWP, DVLA, DBS, NHS, GP, Dentist, and other regulating bodies letters.
    • Utility statements/bills.
    • Council tax.
    • Tenancy agreement/Mortgage statement.
    • Property ownership agreement.
    • Insurance policy.
    • Any other official document.

    If living apart this will make any application much more complex, you can provide the above but also the following:

    • Bookings in joint names such as hotels, B&Bs, train, coach and flight travels.
    • Photo evidence covering at least a two-year period.
    • WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, email etc., conversations.
    • Sending money to one another.
    • Children together.

    Note: Evidence must clearly show your name(s), full post/zip code address and date. Evidence must be on official paper. Documents can be in your own names or in joint names. You must provide 24 months for visas under immigration control and 30 months when you apply to settle in the UK.

  • Leave to Remain - Spouse/Partner - Appendix FM

    If you are applying to remain in the UK, we have these scenarios:

    1. You hold a proposed civil partnership or fiancée visa or
    2. You plan to extend as the spouse/partner or
    3. You plan to switch to the spouse/partner visa route or
    4. You on a spouse/partner visa but you separated but want to apply because you have a British child.

    Whichever visa you fall under, you must provide 24 months of evidence of living together (excluding proposed civil partnership/fiancée visas). Evidence can include:

    • Financial statements.
    • HMRC, DWP, DVLA, DBS, NHS, GP, Dentist, and other regulating bodies letters.
    • Utility statements/bills.
    • Council tax.
    • Tenancy agreement/Mortgage statement.
    • Property ownership agreement.
    • Insurance policy.
    • Children together.
    • Any other official document. 

    Note: Evidence must clearly show your name(s), full post address and date. Evidence must be on official paper. Documents can be in your own names or in joint names. You must provide 24 months for visas under immigration control and 30 months when you apply to settle in the UK.

  • Settlement - Spouse/Partner under Appendix FM

    If you are applying to settle in the UK, we have these scenarios:

    1. You completed 5 years under your spouse/partner visa or
    2. You completed 10 years under your spouse/partner visa or
    3. You completed 10 years under the Long Residence rules where various visas count towards UK settlement status or
    4. Your partner passed away during the 5-year period.

    5 or 10 continuous years in the UK, you must provide 30 months of evidence of living together in the UK. Evidence can include:

    • Financial statements.
    • HMRC, DWP, DVLA, DBS, NHS, GP, Dentist, and other regulating bodies letters.
    • Utility statements/bills.
    • Council tax.
    • Tenancy agreement/Mortgage statement.
    • Property ownership agreement.
    • Insurance policy.
    • Any other official document.

    If applying under long residence, you may not have to provide evidence of cohabitation, but our firm will confirm this will you.

  • Leave to Enter - Points-Based System

    If you are applying to enter the UK, we have two scenarios:

    1. Your partner entered the UK under employment or study sponsorship or
    2. You and your partner need to enter the UK together.

    Whichever option you fall under, you must provide 24 months of evidence of living together. Evidence can include:

    • Financial statements.
    • HMRC, DWP, DVLA, DBS, NHS, GP, Dentist, and other regulating bodies letters.
    • Utility statements/bills.
    • Council tax.
    • Tenancy agreement/Mortgage statement.
    • Property ownership agreement.
    • Insurance policy.
    • Any other official document.

    Note: Evidence must clearly show both of your name(s), full post/zip code address and date. Evidence must be on official paper. Documents can be in your own names or in joint names.


    If your partner is already in the UK, we advise you to provide evidence to show you have lived together before your partner came to the UK and evidence to demonstrate how you communicate since being apart. 


    Living apart this can make the application more complex; you can provide the following:

    • WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, email etc., conversations.
    • Sending money to one another.
    • Visiting one another.
    • Any other proof.

    Note: Evidence from chats, must clearly show both parties and sending funds, again proof it was sent/received between the two parties.

  • Leave to Remain - Points-Based System

    If you are applying to remain in the UK, we have these scenarios:

    1. You plan to extend as the dependant or
    2. You plan to switch to the dependant visa route or
    3. You plan to switch under PBS rules meaning, one of you is the dependant, will now become the sponsored worker or student and the other person no longer have a sponsor but become your deepndant if the visa is granted.

    Whichever you fall under, you must have recent evidence of living together. 


    Evidence can be:

    • Financial statement.
    • HMRC, DWP, DVLA, DBS, NHS, GP, Dentist, and other regulating bodies letter.
    • Utility statement/bill.
    • Council tax.
    • Tenancy agreement/Mortgage statement.
    • Property ownership agreement.
    • Insurance policy.
    • Any other official document. 

    Note: Evidence must clearly show your name(s), full post address and date. Evidence must be on official paper. Documents can be in your own names or in joint names.

  • Settlement - Points-Based System

    If you are applying to settle in the UK, we have these scenarios:

    1. You completed 5 years under your partner visa or
    2. You completed 10 years under the Long Residence rules where various visas count towards UK settlement status.

    5 continuous years in the UK, you must provide 30 months of evidence of living together in the UK. Evidence can include:

    • Financial statements.
    • HMRC, DWP, DVLA, DBS, NHS, GP, Dentist, and other regulating bodies letters.
    • Utility statements/bills.
    • Council tax.
    • Tenancy agreement/Mortgage statement.
    • Property ownership agreement.
    • Insurance policy.
    • Any other official document.

    If applying under long residence, you may not have to provide evidence of cohabitation but our firm will confirm this will you.

  • Cohabitation evidence

    Providing cohabitation evidence must be provided in a certain format to demonstrate a 'genuine relationship'.


    Two or Three year cohabitation period and below is an example how to provide the right evidence:

    1. My submission date 31.01.2025.
    2. Document evidence of both parties within a month of the visa submission date.
    3. Then we need evidence from both parties around July-August 2024.
    4. Then we need evidence from both parties around December 2023 to January 2024.
    5. Then we need evidence from both parties around July-August 2023.
    6. Then we need evidence from both parties around December 2022 to January 2023.
    7. If applying to settle, we also need July-August 2022.

    Document Guidelines

    • Documents can be in joint names or in your own names.
    • You must provide at least 6 documents  in your own name.
    • You must provide 3 unique documents meaning, you cannot just provide financial statements for the 24 or 30 month periods.

    We no longer require documents to be posted to us, all you need to do is scan each document and upload to your eForm.


    Go to the Document Guidance section to find out how best to scan your documents and how to name each file. 

11.  Global Travel


Your global travel including trips to the UK

If you travelled to any country in the past 10 years or EVER visited the UK, you must disclose all trips.


To help you understand how the UK Home Office views travel, they break it down into 3 areas:

  • The United Kingdom
  • Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA and any EU county that includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
  • The United Kingdom

To register your trips, you will be able to do this in your pre-client care letter.

What information is needed per trip?

You will need the following:

  1. Exact date you arrived in the country
  2. The country you were visiting
  3. Purpose of the trip such as family visit, holiday, attend wedding, attend a function etc.
  4. Date arrived back.


If your trip included multi-country visits, you will be able to explain this in your pre-client care letter.

12. Sponsors (Work, study and business visas)


UK sponsorship

Below are the key immigration routes for UK sponsorship.

If you plan to work in the UK, you will have to obtain key information from the UK sponsor.

  • Skilled worker

    If you plan to work in the UK under this immigration visa route, you will need the following:

    • Draft or assigned Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK sponsor
    • Letter of intent or employment contract from the UK sponsor
    • Skill sets to do the job being sponsored to do
    • Job description from the UK sponsor
    • B1 level in English
    • Current passport
    • National ID card if applicable
    • TB certificate if applicable
    • Proof of your current home address

    If you have family applying, they will need:

    • Partner current passport
    • Partner national ID card if applicable
    • Partner TB certificate if applicable
    • Partner proof of living with you for past two years
    • Partner birth certificate
    • Marriage certificate
    • Children current passports if applicable
    • Children birth certificates if applicable.
  • Minister of Religion

    If you are being sponsored to work within the UK religious section, you will need to obtain the following documents:

    • Confirmation of Acceptance to work (CIf you plan to work in the UK under this immigration visa route, you will need the following:
    • Draft or assigned Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK sponsor
    • Letter of intent or employment contract from the UK sponsor

    • Skill sets to do the job being sponsored to do

    • Job description from the UK sponsor
    • B1 level in English
    • Current passport
    • National ID card if applicable
    • TB certificate if applicable
    • Proof of your current home address

    If you have family applying, they will need:

    • Partner current passport

    • Partner national ID card if applicable

    • Partner TB certificate if applicable

    • Partner proof of living with you for past two years

    • Partner birth certificate

    • Marriage certificate

    • Children current passports if applicable

    • Children birth certificates if applicable

    oS) which is a virtual work 

  • Senior or Specialist Worker



  • Secondment Worker

  • Service Supplier

  • UK Expansion Worker

  • Representative of an Overseas Business

  • Innovator Founder

  • Religious worker

  • Charity worker

  • Creative worker

  • International Sportsperson

13.  Good character


What is good character?

This can fall under many areas of law, below is a guide:

  • Criminality

    if you have not respected or are not prepared to abide by the law for example, you have been convicted of a crime or there are reasonable grounds to suspect, meaning it is more likely than not, you have been involved in crime.

  • International crimes, terrorism and other non-conducive activity

    If you have been involved in or associated with war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, terrorism, or other actions that are considered not to be conducive to the public good.

  • Financial soundness

    If you have financial affairs that are not in appropriate order - for example, they have failed to pay taxes for which they were liable or have accrued significant debt.

  • Notoriety

    If their activities that have been notorious and cast serious doubt on their standing in the local community.

  • Deception and dishonesty

    If you have deliberately been dishonest or used deceptive in your dealings with the UK government, for example they have made false claims in order to obtain benefits.

  • Immigration related matters

    If you have breached immigration laws, for example by overstaying, working in breach of conditions or assisting in the evasion of immigration control, where such matters are not to be disregarded for that person.


    Read non-compliance with immigration requirements.

  • Deprivation

    If you been previously deprived of citizenship.

If the you have any 'Spent' or 'Unspent' criminal convictions, they should be disclosed to our firm. Note: 'Spent' convictions means the conviction you had now passed. 'Unspent' means the conviction is still active and depending which country the offence was committed, each country may have different rules on spent and unspent.


Once we receive any evidence of a conviction, we will discuss this with you if it could impact your visa application.

Scanning your documents - Introduction

When you scan your documents, it is essential you follow our guidance. Document evidence provided will help us and the Home Office to assess your suitability for your visa route.


Scanning Guidelines

You can use any tool to scan your documents but please follow our guidance on how best to do this.

Scanning files in the right size and format is crucial.

Do not create PDFs by adding different documents to it.

Naming your files correctly will help us to quickly identify if any documents are missing.

1. Scanning and formatting options


Original and translated documents


You can use several scanning options from a flatbed scanner or desktop scanner or, tablet or mobile device.


Check out below each device type for guidance.

  • Using a printer scanner
    Printer scanner

    Check on your PC the scanner settings, you will need to look for Dots Per Inch (DPI) under settings. DPI can start from 75 up to 1200. Set the settings to between 150-200. A printer scanner will allow you to scan multiple pages in one go.

    Note: If you scan multiple pages at a higher DPI setting, the file is likely to be too large to upload to the Home Office portal. Also note, if you scan at a too lower DPI then the document will be unreadable.

  • Using a flatbed scanner
    Desktop scanner

    Same process as a printer scanner, both devices are normally connected to the scanner. Select the right DPI settings. When using a flatbed scanner, you have to manually feed a page at a time, so we recommend using a printer scanner.

    Note: If you scan multiple pages at a higher DPI setting, the file is likely to be too large to upload to the Home Office portal. Also note, if you scan at a too lower DPI then the document will be unreadable.

  • Using a tablet device
    Mobile scanning

    If you decide to scan your documents using a tablet, unless you have one on your device, go to your App store and download an App specific for scanning documents to PDF. Each App will have different parameters to follow when scanning.


    Remember to scan any images with your tablet device parallel to your image and do not do any of the following:

    1. Scan where you have a light reflecting on your documents.
    2. Shadows over your scanned documents such as your body or any other reflection.
    3. Scanning documents on a background such as a pattern or wood grain as this greatly increase the image size.
    4. Do not part scan a page, ensure you scan all four corners and where possible do not include any background such as a table.
    5. Scanning different document types to one PDF such as two different passports or, two different dated utility statements. Scan them as unique PDFs.
  • Using a mobile device

    Same process as a tablet, unless you have an App, go to the App store and download an App thst allows you to scan imges to PDF.


    Remember to scan any images with your mobile device parallel to your image and do not do any of the following:

    1. Scan where you have lights reflacting on your documents.
    2. Shadows over your scanned documents such as your body or any other reflections.
    3. Scanning documents on a background such as a table cloth or any other pattern.
    4. When scanning you only part scan a page.
    5. Scanning different document types to one PDF such as two different passports or, two different dated utility statements.

How to name and scan your documents


When you scan your documents ensure they are scanned ideally as PDFs but if you cannot scan as PDFs, we will accept scanned copies in these formats: 

JPEG

PNG

GIF

TIFF

PSD

EPS

BMP

WBMP

CORRECT INCORRECT
:-) Naomi_passport_expiring_31.05.2019 :-( Naomi_passport
:-) Naomi_previous_passport_expired_27.07.2019 :-( Naomipreviouspassportexpired27072019
:-) Naomi_HSBC_financial_statement_Feb-Jly-2024 :-( Naomi_financial_statements_Feb-Jly
:-) Naomi_P60_tax_year_2024 :-( Naomi_P60_taxyear
:-) Naomi_IELTS_B1_test_certificate :-( Naomi_IELTS_test_certificate
:-) Naomi_overseas_degree_plus_ecctis_report :-( Naomi_degree_plus_report
:-) Naomi_council_tax_statement_2024 :-( Naomi_counciltax_statement
:-) Naomi_marriage_certificate :-( Marriage
:-) Naomi_marriage_certificate_plus_translation :-( Naomi_marriage_certificate_plus_overseas copy
:-) Peter_death_certificate :-( Death_certificate

The above is just a guide, as long as you follow the same format, we will accept the files.


PDF rules

Do not scan different documents under one PDF file. Tips to follow:

  • Multiple passports scan as separate files. All passport pages must be scanned including blank pages and passports cover pages.
  • Cohabitation in different names, document types and date periods must be scanned as separate PDFs.
  • Financial statements cover covering a 6, 12 or 24 month period can be in one PDF but in date order. Date order means page 1 being the most recent statement.
  • Degree certificate, transcript, University letter and Ecctis report can be one PDF but place in order.
  • Family members documents cannot be under the same PDF unless the evidence is in joint names.

2.  Naming and saving your documents

3. Translating non-English documents

Original and translated documents


All document evidence must be in English and no need to provide the original but just good quality copy will suffice.


Any non-English document must be translated. The translated copies must be processed by a regulated translation company.


Combining the original document and translated copy.

If you combine the original and translated copies as a PDF, you must place the English translated pages first, then add the original documents and name the file as instructed under 'Naming and saving your documents'.


Note: If the translated copies do not have the official stamp per page, the document will be rejected.

Document checklist - Introduction

When you scan your documents it is essential you follow our guidance.

Document evidence provided will help us and the Home Office to assess your suitability for your visa route.


Scanning Guidelines

You can use any tool to scan your documents but please follow our guidance on how best to do this.

Scanning files in the right size and format is crucial.

Do not create PDFs by adding different documents to it.

Naming your files correctly will help us to quickly identify if any documents are missing.

Document guide to follow


Below are essential evidence we need to to verify if the ones with * are applicable to you.


Who is a UK sponsor?

A UK sponsor could be a family member, a friend, an employer, training institute, a charity or a business. If you coming to the UK and you are relying on:


Family or friend  – confirm you can provide an invitation letter outlining the purpose of your trip, date period, where you be living and if they contribute to your UK trip and how much?


Employer  – If you been sponsored to work in the UK, provide a copy of your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), employment offer letter and job description.


Training institute  – If you been sponsored to study in the UK, provide a copy of your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which will outline your UK studies.


Essential documents requirements

  • Passports

    Provide all pages including blank pages of your current passport and any passports issued to you to enter or remain in the UK. 


    NEVER scan as one PDF different passports together.

  • National ID cards

    Scan the front and rear of any national ID cards issued to you regardless if still valid or expired within the past 10 years.

    Do I need to provide?
  • English evidence

    You need to meet the English requirements, you can provide any of the following:

    1. Passport from a majority English speaking country.
    2. UK academic qualification
    3. Overseas academic qualification, transcript and University letter confirming degree taught 100% in English with UK NARIC (now Ecctis) or Ecctis report.
    4. English language test from Pearson, Trinity College, IELTS SELT Consortium, PSI Services (UK) Ltd or Language CERT.
    5. UK GCSE or A Level English learn more
    6. Professional regulation for Skilled worker*.

    *If you are applying for UK entry clearance or permission to stay under Appendix Skilled Worker, you will meet the English language requirement if you are being sponsored to work as a doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife or veterinarian, and have passed an English Language assessment which is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body as a requirement for registration.


    Select the tab below to find out more about English evidence and go to this link for English requirements per visa type.

    English evidence guidance
  • Medical evidence

    Tuberculosis (TB)

    If you are applying to enter the UK you might need to provide a TB certificate from an approved medical centre.


    UK medical services

    If you previously had any UK medical treatment, you must provide:

    • Date treatment started.
    • Treatment received.
    • Where treatment took place (full UK post code address).
    • Date treatment ceased unless ongoing.
    • Provide medical records of any UK treatment.
  • UK Immigration

    Visa application forms

    If you previously applied to enter or remain in the UK, please provide a copy of your visa application form.


    Solicitors and lawyers correspondence

    If you previously applied for a UK visa and used a legal firm to help or represent you, please provide any correspondence from them.


    Biometric Residence Permits (BRP cards)

    Provide front and back of any issued BRP cards.


    CoSs and CASs

    If you were sponsored to work or study in the UK, please provide a copy of any assigned CoS or CAS assigned to you.


    UK Home Office

    Provide all evidence if you been issued a visa or a visa application was refused or you been ask to leave the UK. Also provide including any UK administrative reviews and appeals.

  • Good character & Police report

    Not all UK sponsors require a police report but If you are entering the UK, our firm requires a police report for any person aged 10 and over. 


    You must declare any 'Spent' or 'Unspent' criminal convictions. 


    Note: 'Spent' convictions means the conviction you were charged with has now passed. 'Unspent' means the conviction is still active and depending which country the offence was committed; the country may have different rules on spent and unspent.


    Any convictions disclosed we will discuss with you and confirm if they are likely to impact your visa application.


    Conviction types:

    1. You been convicted of certain crimes or are suspected of involving yourself with criminal activity.
    2. You have been associated with committing war crimes or crimes against humanity.
    3. You have misbehaved in your local community.
    4. You are dishonest and deceptive in dealing with institutions of any government.
    5. You are a persistent offender who has caused serious harm or are a sex offender.
    6. You were given a custodial sentence of four years or more.
    7. You were or currently are part of a sham marriage.
    8. You were in breach of immigration laws in any country.
    9. You have bad debt, whether personally or linked to a business.

    Police report

    If you are applying to ENTER the UK and you are required to provide a police report because of your employment conditions, select the link below.


    Note: If you plan to work in the UK where you are dealing with children, vulnerable people and other strict regulatory industry sectors, you must obtain a police report. Once in the UK your sponsor will apply for a DBS check.

    Learn more>>
  • Marriage, Divorce, Births & Deaths

    Marriage/Civil Partnership

    If applying as a partner to a sponsored worker, if you are married or in a civil partnership, you must provide a copy of your original certificate.


    Divorce

    If you applying with your partner and either of you got divorcedfrom a previous relationship, you must provide evidence of the process you at or the official document to state you are legally divorced.


    Birth certificates

    You are required to provide a copy of your original birth certificates.


    Children

    If applying with your children and the other biological parent is deceased, you must provide a copy of their death certificate.


    If one biological parent of a child cannot apply for a UK visa and that child plans to enter the UK, the child cannot apply unless exceptional cicumstances apply.

  • Cohabitation

    If you are applying to enter or remain in the UK with your partner, your partner must provide evidence of living together going back 2 years. Evidence can be:

    Any official document such as financial statements, government department letters, utility bills, medical records etc. Evidence must clearly show your given and family names and full zip code address.


    Living apart

    If you are living apart from your partner, you must provide evidence such as:

    • Evidence when you lived together, reasons who you live apart such as employment contract in another country. If you can provide genuine religious reasons, this evidence might be accepted.
    • Ideally provide evidence in joint names or documents in different names, they must show your unique names, same address and be dated around the same time period.
    • Bookings in joint names such as hotels, transport such as trains, coach and flight travels.
    • WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, email etc., conversations, these should only refer to your relationship.
    • Sending money to one another.
    • Photo evidence date stamped in iconic location ideally covering the past 2 years.

    Document evidence

    All documents must show your name, date and on official paper from the supplier. We need the original evidence scanned to a good readable standard which we will upload to the UK Home Office portal.


    Documents should cover the past 24 months* meaning, every 6 months you and your partner should have a document showing you both lived at the same address. 


    Example: visa submission date 31.07.2024, evidence must be dated 03.07.2024 to 31.07.2024, then provide around December 2023 to January 2024, then provide around June to August 2023, then provide around December 2022 to January 2023, then provide no later than 31.07.2022 or slightly earlier such as June 2022.


    Note: You must provide at least 3 unique documents per person and a minimum of 6 documents in your names.

    You must provide a statement of your relationship, how and when you met, when you got engaged, marriage or civil partnership, dates when any children were born and where you have lived together showing full post/zip code address and exact dates lived in per property.


    *30 months if applying to settle in the UK.

  • UK sponsoring

    Employment

    You be expected to provide the following evidence if you coming to the UK to be employed:

    • Up to date CV.
    • Education qualification certificates you obtained.
    • Work related qualifications obtained.
    • Employers references.
    • Awards received for outstanding work.

1.  Document check list

eForms

Our law firm has been providing immigration services since 2006. We specialise in visa entry to the UK until British passport, business compliance services and cloud technology.
Apply for 30 minutes free consultation

eForms

Our law firm has been providing immigration services since 2006 and we specialise in visa entry to obtaining British passport, business compliance and cloud technology.
Apply for 30 minutes free consultation

Title Goes Here


Test goes here


Test goes here

  • Innovator visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UKVI-approved endorsing bodies.


    The visa is issued for 3 years if you can provide evidence of £50,000 to meet the financials, English at or above B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), obtain an endorsement letter and meet other criteria requirements.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Start-up visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UK higher education institutions or a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs.


    The visa is issued for 2 years, and this visa cannot be extended but you can then switch to the Innovator visa route. Note: The Start-up visa does not count towards settlement unless you settle via the 10-year-long residence route.


    You cannot join a business already operating in the UK, you must provide evidence of meeting English B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), obtain an endorsement letter, and meet other criteria requirements.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Global Talent visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they are a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

    1. Academia or research
    2. Arts and culture
    3. Digital technology.

    You will need an endorsement from one of the 3 bodies listed above, no need to provide evidence of English but you will need to meet other eligibility criteria.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)

    This visa route closed to new applicants on 29 March 2019 meaning, unless you held this visa type, you can only extend this visa.


    If you have family members, they can join you in the UK if you still have a valid visa and also extend their visa.


    If you want to apply to enter the UK as an Entrepreneur, you can now apply under the Innovator visa route.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Investor visa (Tier 1)

    This visa route closed to new applicants in February 2022 meaning, unless you held this visa type, you can only extend this visa.


    If you have family members, they can join you in the UK if you still have a valid visa and also extend their visa.


    There is no alternative visa route for investors, the only option available is the Innovator visa route.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

Sponsors Licence Key Links

An introduction for employers Register for a sponsor licence UK points-based immigration system Overseas national recruitment rules PBS equality impact assessment Immigration system what to know Skilled Worker occupations & codes Archived SOC codes Skilled Workers shortage occupations Businesses holding a sponsor license Part 1: Apply for a licence Part 2: Sponsorship general info Part 3: Sponsor duties & compliance

Popular Worker Visa Routes

Skilled worker visa Healthcare & Care Worker visa Senior or Specialist Worker visa Minister of Religion visa (T2) International Sportsperson visa Charity Worker visa Religious Worker visa Youth Mobility Scheme visa Graduate visa Innovator visa Nationals needing a visa

G4I Sponsor Licence Support

Preventing Illegal Employment Resident Labour Consideration Sponsor Licence Audit Sponsor Licence Applications Sponsor Licence Support Service Sponsor Licence Training Recruitment Cycle

Home Office Official Documents

PBS Introduction for employers Business & Future Immigration 2021 An introduction for employers The UK’s PBS Immigration System PBS Employer Factsheet PBS Immigration System Partner Pack Immigration Rules Changes Guide to becoming a licenced sponsor SL priority service request form

Sponsored Workers Guidance

Sponsor a Skilled worker Sponsor a Health & Care worker Sponsor a Senior/Specialist Worker Sponsor a MoR or Religious worker Sponsor an International Sportsperson Sponsor a Charity worker Sponsor a Secondment Worker visa

Sponsor Licence Policies

Guide 1: Introduction to the SMS Guide 2: SMS sponsorship licence Guide 3: SMS applications services Guide 8: SMS creating a CoS Guide 8a: SMS creating a CoS Guide 9: Reporting worker activity Guide 10: Misc CoS functions Guide 11: Creative Worker CoS Guide 12: Defined CoS: SMS Appendix A: Supporting Documents Appendix B: Immigration offences Appendix C: Penalties/sponsorship Appendix D: SL recordkeeping Sponsors priority circumstances from PBS sponsor compliance visits Immigration rules updates

Home Office Checks

View & prove your immigration status How to carry out a right to work check Prove right to work to an employer

Business visa routes

Innovator visa Start-up visa Global Talent visa

Other popular visas routes

Apply as an adult Student Apply as a Child Student Apply to study English in the UK Apply as a Partner or Spouse Apply as a parent Apply as a child Adult to be cared for Apply as a Standard visitor Apply for marriage visitor visa

Commonwealth & British

Apply for Right of Abode Apply for UK Ancestry British National (Overseas) visa Apply under naturalisation (Adult)

Settle in the UK

Settlement (work route) Settlement (family route) Settlement (long residence) Settlement (refugee or have HP or DL) Settlement (Returning Resident) Settlement (Served in armed serves)