Document types
UK Visa Documents Explained: Every Document Type (2026)
Every UK visa document explained: what it is, who needs it, the format UKVI accepts and how to get it, from the passport bio page to the CoS and TB test.
15 guides · Updated
- 01ATAS Certificate UK (2026): Who Needs It and How to ApplyATAS is FCDO security clearance for postgraduate study or research in sensitive science and engineering. Your CAS says if you need it; apply on gov.uk.
- 02Bank Statement Format for UK Visa 2026: What UKVI AcceptsWhat format UKVI accepts for UK visa bank statements: official PDFs, the right period (6 months or 28 days), what to redact, and what gets rejected.
- 03Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for UK Visa ApplicationsWhat a BRP was, why new applicants get an eVisa instead, what to do with an expired BRP card, and how the transition affects your UK visa in 2026.
- 04CAS Letter for a UK Student Visa: What It Is, How to Get OneWhat a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is, how universities issue it, what the CAS reference number contains, and how to use it.
- 05Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for UK Skilled Worker VisaWhat a Certificate of Sponsorship is, how UK employers issue one, what the CoS reference number contains, and timelines for using it.
- 06Cohabitation Evidence for UK Unmarried Partner VisaHow to evidence 2+ years of cohabitation for the UK Unmarried Partner visa, what UKVI accepts, common gaps, and how to fill them.
- 07Employer Sponsor Letter for UK Skilled Worker VisaWhat goes in a sponsor letter from a UK employer for a Skilled Worker visa application, required content, format, and common issues.
- 08English Language Proof for a UK Visa: SELT and ExemptionsHow to evidence English language ability for UK visa applications, SELT tests, degree exemptions, country exemptions, and CEFR levels by route.
- 09Maintenance Funds for a UK Visa: The £1,270 Rule ExplainedHow to evidence maintenance funds for UK visas, the £1,270 Skilled Worker rule, Student route maintenance, the 28-day window, and sponsor certification.
- 10Marriage Certificate Translation for a UK Visa (2026)How to get a marriage certificate translated for a UK Spouse or Family visa application, what counts as a certified translation and what UKVI rejects.
- 11Passport Bio Page (2026): What It Is and How to Scan ItThe passport bio page is the photo page with your name, passport number, dates and MRZ strip. Where to find it and the 300 DPI colour scan UKVI accepts.
- 12Payslips for a UK Visa: Format, Period and Common ProblemsWhat payslips UKVI requires, the format they accept, the period each route needs, and the most common payslip-related refusal reasons.
- 13Police Clearance Certificate for UK Visa: Who Needs OnePolice / criminal record certificate for UK visa applications, which routes require one, which countries to get them from, and processing times.
- 14Qualification Translation and UK ENIC for UK VisasHow to evidence non-UK qualifications for UK visas, UK ENIC (Ecctis) statements of comparability, certified translations, and common pitfalls.
- 15TB Test Certificate for a UK Visa (2026): Who Needs ItYou need a TB test certificate for a UK visa over 6 months if you lived 6+ months in a listed country. Approved clinics only; it lasts 6 months.
Once the documents are in hand
The route guides these documents belong to