Visa Translation Services in Singapore
Applying for a UK, Schengen, Australian, Canadian or US visa from Singapore? Every paper that is not in English (or the embassy's own language) must go in with a full translation. Most visa centres want a certified translation that shows the translator's statement, the date, their full name and contact details. A few, such as Canada and Spain, also want a sworn affidavit or a notary. We tell you which one your visa needs, then we prepare it.
Quick answer: A certified visa translation starts from S$40 a page and takes 24 to 48 hours. Need it notarised with the SAL apostille? That starts from S$202.20 for a 1-page document and usually takes 3 to 7 working days. Short on time? Send a short document before 11am on a weekday for same-day translation. The notary and SAL steps then add working days.
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Certified, Notarised or Legalised Visa Translation: Which One Do You Need?
Each country sets its own rule, so the level of proof changes with the visa. Most visitor and student visas only need card 1. Not sure? Send us your visa centre's checklist and we will tell you.
1. Certified English Translation (most visas)
- Who signs it: Our translator and our company, with a signed, dated statement that the English is complete and correct.
- Used for: UK, most Schengen short-stay, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese and US visa files.
- Time: 24 to 48 hours.
- From: S$40 per page.
2. Notarised + SAL Apostille
- Who signs it: A Notary Public in Singapore, who notarises our translation or our translator's affidavit of accuracy.
- Used for: Canada (affidavit route), Spanish long-stay visas, China, and any embassy that asks for a "sworn" translation.
- Time: 3 to 7 working days.
- From: S$202.20 for a 1-page document (S$40 translation + S$75 notary + S$87.20 SAL).
3. Embassy Legalisation (non-Apostille countries)
- Who signs it: The Notary Public, then SAL, then the destination country's embassy in Singapore.
- Used for: Countries outside the Apostille Convention, such as Malaysia, Myanmar, the UAE and Qatar.
- Time: 3 to 7 working days, plus the embassy's own time.
- From: Notarised price; embassy legalisation quoted on request.
One thing we will always tell you straight
No embassy, consulate or visa centre endorses any private translation company. No company in Singapore can promise you that a visa will be approved. What the officer looks at is whether the translation is complete and comes in the form their rules ask for: a translator's signed statement, a notary, a sworn affidavit, or an apostille. So we do not sell you a promise. We build your set in the exact shape your visa centre's checklist asks for, and we tell you honestly when you do not need an extra step. Our notarised translation page explains the notary route in plain words.
Visa Translation From and Into 200+ Languages
Most visa sets we see are translated into English from Indonesian, Chinese, Burmese and Malay, plus Hindi, Tamil, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and Thai records. We also translate INTO the embassy's language when it will not read English.
Also: Into Spanish for Spanish visas, Chinese for China, Turkish for the Turkish Embassy, and Bahasa Indonesia for the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI)
Every stamp, seal and handwritten note is translated, because visa officers check them. Rare languages cost more and can take longer, so tell us the language and we give you the real price and date first.
Visa Translation Rules by Country (Checked October 2026)
Rules change, and each visa centre has its own checklist. Use this as a guide, and always check your visa centre's checklist before you book. "Apostille" shows whether the country accepts SAL's apostille without an embassy stamp.
United Kingdom and United States (Apostille: yes)
United Kingdom: a full translation with the translator's statement that it is accurate, the date, the translator's full name and signature, and contact details. No notary needed. United States: a full English translation with the translator's signed statement that it is accurate and that they are competent to translate. No notary needed.
Schengen States (Apostille: yes, all)
Each consulate sets the rule. Germany wants an official translation of papers not in English or German. Denmark's centre wants English by a translation company, not by you. Spain's long-stay visas want an official Spanish translation and apostilled papers.
Australia and New Zealand (Apostille: yes)
Australia: outside Australia, the translation must show the translator's full name, address, phone number and qualifications in the language. NAATI is needed only for translations made in Australia. New Zealand: a translation business must certify it, with its stamp or signature. You and your family cannot translate.
Canada (Apostille: yes, since 11 January 2024)
IRCC wants a certified translator, or a translation with an affidavit sworn before a notary. You, your family and your consultant cannot translate. Singapore has no official accreditation, so we use the affidavit route.
China, Japan and Korea (Apostille: yes)
China (since 7 November 2023): no Chinese embassy stamp is needed after SAL. A Chinese translation must be bound with the original and notarised. Some Chinese offices prefer their own translators, so ask first. Japan and Korea: Japan accepts a translation in English or Japanese. Korean missions accept English or Korean, and may ask for an apostille on foreign papers.
Good to Know
Singapore has no state-appointed sworn translators. When an embassy asks for a "sworn" translation, it means a translator's affidavit of accuracy sworn before a Notary Public and apostilled by SAL, or a translator on that embassy's own list. SAL only apostilles Singapore documents. A foreign original, such as an Indonesian birth certificate, must be apostilled in the country that issued it if the embassy asks.
How to Get Your Visa Documents Translated in Singapore
Four simple steps, from your photos to a set that matches your visa centre's checklist.
Send clear photos and your checklist
Shoot each page flat in daylight, including the back and every stamp. Add your passport page so we can match names, and the visa centre's document list if you have it. Keep your originals.
Get a price and a plan
We reply within an hour with a fixed, itemised price. We tell you if your visa needs only a certified translation, or also a notary, an apostille or an embassy stamp.
Translation and check
A human translator does the work. A second person checks every name, number, date and seal against your passport.
Delivery for your visa centre
You get a signed PDF for online upload (UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand files are mostly uploaded), plus a signed paper set for any visa centre that takes paper. Notarised sets come on paper with the notary and SAL pages, plus a full PDF. Courier for a small fee, or collect from our office.
Why Travellers and Students Trust Us With Visa Translation
What you get with every visa translation we prepare.
Built to Your Visa Checklist
We read your visa centre's list first, so the translation carries exactly the statement, details and stamps it asks for. Nothing more to pay for.
Names Match Your Passport
Visa officers compare every name and date with your passport. We follow the passport spelling and add a translator's note where papers differ.
Notary and SAL Handled Here
When your visa needs a notary or an apostille, we work with a partner Notary Public in Singapore and send the paper on to SAL. You do not have to book a lawyer yourself.
Honest Timelines
Certified translation takes 24 to 48 hours. With the notary and SAL steps, the whole job usually takes 3 to 7 working days. Book early if your appointment is close.
A Typical Job: Indonesian Akta Kelahiran and Kartu Keluarga for UK Standard Visitor Visas
This is how a typical UK visa job runs. An Indonesian family in Singapore was applying for UK Standard Visitor visas. Their UK checklist asked for the birth certificates (Akta Kelahiran) and the family card (Kartu Keluarga) to be translated and certified, and they wanted to know the time and the cost.
Visa Document Translation
Original
Birth certificates (Akta Kelahiran) and a family card (Kartu Keluarga), in Indonesian.
What the client needed
Indonesian family in Singapore applying for UK visas
- How long the translation would take, and what it would cost.
- Whether the UK needed a notary on top of the certified translation.
What we did
Certified to the UK checklist, nothing extra sold
- We read the family's UK checklist.
- We translated the birth certificates and the family card.
- We added our translator's statement of accuracy, the date, the translator's full name and signature, and our contact details.
- We matched every name to the family's passports.
- The UK does not ask for a notary, so we did not sell them one.
How Much Does Visa Translation Cost in Singapore?
You pay per page, and you get a fixed price before we start. Several documents? Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Certified Translation
24-48 hrsStarting from
- Translator's statement, date, full name, signature and contact details
- For UK, Schengen, Australia, US, Japan and NZ visas
- Signed PDF for upload, paper copy on request
Notarised + SAL Apostille
3-7 daysStarting from, 1-page document, notary + SAL included
- Includes the notary fee (S$75) and the SAL fee (S$87.20)
- +S$40 for each extra page
- For Canada, Spain, China and "sworn" requests
Urgent
Same day*Extra charge
- *Same-day translation if sent before 11am on a weekday (short documents)
- The notary, SAL and embassy steps still take working days
Worked example (typical family set): A UK visitor visa set for a family of three: 2 birth certificates (1 page each) and 1 family card (2 pages) is 4 pages × S$40 = S$160, certified, in 24 to 48 hours. The same set for Canada needs a translator's affidavit, notarised with the SAL apostille. On our standard basis of one notarial certificate and one SAL apostille per document, that is S$202.20 + S$202.20 + S$242.20 = S$646.60, in 3 to 7 working days. If the notary also charges for the oath, it is added. If one affidavit can cover the whole set, the price is lower, and we tell you before we start. Rare languages: Indonesian, Chinese, Malay and Burmese are standard languages for us. Rare languages, and translation into Spanish, Turkish or other non-English languages, may cost more, so we quote them first.
What Clients Say About Our Visa Translation
Here is what clients said after we translated their visa and embassy papers.
Real Client Experiences
Swipe to read more success stories
Embassy File Accepted First Try
"Suddenly the embassy checklist showed my visa document was not in English. I felt nervous because my flight date was close. This visa translation service handled it clearly and fast...."
Student Visa Stress Reduced
"Preparing my student visa was already stressful. Then I needed document translation for the embassy. They explained each step in simple words. The translated supporting papers were accurate. Online upload..."
Work Visa Papers Done Right
"During my work visa process, name spelling needed to match passport exactly. I contacted them for visa document translation. They checked every detail carefully. The embassy accepted everything without question...."
Family Visit Plan Saved
"Planning a family visit visa felt confusing. Some supporting documents were not in English. This team translated them clearly. The embassy portal accepted the files on first upload. Travel plan..."
Tourist Visa Submitted Smoothly
"Applying for tourist visa seemed simple at first. Later I realised translation was required. They responded fast and gave clear guidance. The visa translation looked clean and correct. Submission went..."
Re-Submission Worked This Time
"Earlier my visa file was returned due to unclear document. I felt worried about delay. This service corrected and translated everything properly. The new upload was accepted. That gave me..."
Urgent Flight Date Protected
"Flight tickets were already booked. I suddenly needed visa supporting document translation. They delivered on the same day. All dates and numbers matched correctly. Embassy accepted without issue. I avoided..."
Clear Advice For First Timer
"As a first time visa applicant, I was confused about document format. They guided me clearly. Visa document translation was accurate and neat. Online portal upload succeeded easily."
Passport Details Matched Perfectly
"Name and passport number must match exactly for visa. I was scared of mistake. Their translation service checked carefully. Everything aligned correctly. Embassy approved without follow up."
Travel Timeline Stayed Safe
"My overseas trip had fixed dates. Visa paperwork translation was required. They handled it fast and clearly. Submission went through smoothly. I kept my travel schedule."
Other Papers You May Need for Your Visa
A visa file rarely has one paper. We run the set as one job, so every name is spelt the same way on every page.
Helpful guides
Several Documents? One Bundled Quote
Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Common Questions About Visa Document Translation
Short, direct answers to the questions clients ask us most.
FAQ Group
Will the embassy or visa centre accept a certified translation?
For most visas, yes. The UK, Australia (outside Australia), the USA, Japan, New Zealand and most Schengen short-stay visas take a certified translation by a translation company. Canada wants an affidavit sworn before a notary if the translator is not accredited, and Spanish long-stay visas want an official Spanish translation. No embassy endorses any company, so we follow your visa centre's checklist exactly.
How much does visa translation cost in Singapore?
A certified translation starts at S$40 a page. A notarised translation with the SAL apostille starts at S$202.20 for a 1-page document, and each extra page adds S$40. Same-day translation costs S$20 more a page for short documents sent before 11am on a weekday. Send photos of all your papers for one bundled, itemised quote within an hour.
Do I need notarisation or an SAL apostille for my visa?
Usually not. The UK, Australia, the USA and most short-stay Schengen visas only need a certified translation. You need a notary when the embassy asks for a sworn or notarised translation, as Canada (affidavit), China and some long-stay visas do. SAL then adds an apostille to every notarised paper, and the S$87.20 fee is in our price. Only non-Apostille countries, such as Malaysia or the UAE, need an embassy stamp too.
My visa appointment is in a few days. Can you still help?
Often, yes. Certified translation takes 24 to 48 hours, and a short document sent before 11am on a weekday can be ready the same day. The notary, SAL and embassy steps depend on their schedules and add working days. Message us on WhatsApp with your appointment date, and we will tell you honestly whether it is possible.
Do I get a PDF or paper? And do you need my original?
A clear photo or scan is enough to start, and your original stays with you. A certified translation comes as a signed PDF for online upload, with paper on request. Notarised sets come on paper with a full PDF. If your checklist asks for a "certified true copy" of the original, we can arrange it through our certified true copy service.
Does my UK visa translation need to be notarised?
No. For UK visas, gov.uk asks for a full translation that the Home Office can check. It must include the translator's statement that it is accurate, the date, the translator's full name and signature, and their contact details. Our certified translation carries all of these. A notary adds cost but no extra value for most UK visitor, student and family visas.
Do I need a NAATI translator for an Australian visa?
Not if the translation is made outside Australia. Home Affairs says a translation made outside Australia must show the translator's full name, address, phone number and qualifications in the language. NAATI is needed only for translations made in Australia. Our certified translation from Singapore includes these details.
The Schengen embassy asks for a "sworn" or "official" translation. Can you do that?
Yes, in the form Singapore allows. Singapore has no state-appointed sworn translators. We prepare our translation with a translator's affidavit of accuracy, sworn before a Notary Public and apostilled by SAL. Many consulates accept this. Some only accept translators on their own list, so check with the consulate or its visa centre first, and we will follow its answer.
How does the Canadian affidavit route work?
IRCC wants a certified translator, or a translation with the translator's affidavit sworn before a notary. Singapore has no official translator accreditation, so we use the affidavit. Our translator swears it before a Notary Public in Singapore, and SAL adds an apostille, which Canada has accepted since January 2024. You, your family and your consultant cannot translate for IRCC.
Can you translate into Spanish, Chinese, Turkish or Indonesian for an embassy?
Yes. Some embassies want papers in their own language, such as Spain for long-stay visas, Turkey and Indonesia. We translate your English papers into that language and bind the translation with the original. We arrange the notary and SAL apostille if asked. Some countries prefer their own sworn translators, so ask the embassy first and we will follow its rule.
Get Your Visa Documents Translated the Right Way
Send photos of your papers and your visa centre's checklist, tell us the country, and get a fixed price within an hour.