A simple spelling mistake can cost you your travel visa, and consequently your travel plans. Adding on, incomplete translations, work done by uncertified translators, or poor formatting can lead to the same consequences.
For all globetrotters and future expats, there are quite a few things you need to know beyond applying for a visa and making a plan to visit the places on your bucket list. Translation mistakes, major or minor, in your passport and visa documents can lead to dire consequences.
To ensure your plans do not get ruined due to translation errors, we have put together a list of common translation mistakes that can delay your visa.
Read on to know about the mistakes you need to be more careful about.
The Costly Translation Mistakes that Can Delay Your Visa
Most of you are unaware of the fact that when you travel to another country, your documents need to be translated into that language to get a visa approval. For example, the Australian translation services have certified translators to ensure all documents are translated properly, to ensure quick visa approval.
However, if you haven’t availed the services, be careful of these common mistakes that can delay your plans of traveling abroad:
- Incomplete Translations
This is one of the most common translation mistakes. You cannot miss out on any part of the document. It is crucial to translate every part, including stamps, seals, and signatures. If you miss any detail, it will lead to misunderstandings and legal issues. Therefore, whenever you translate your visa documents, you must check that the translation is complete and has all the details.
- Incorrect Legal Terms
While translating legal terms, make sure that it is done by a professional translator. The translated document must be similar to the original document and have all the legal terms intact. A single misinterpretation of any legal term can lead to legal discrepancies. It is wise to opt for notarized translation for legal documents to ensure accuracy.
- Formatting Mistakes
Your translated document will be rejected if it does not follow the format and structure of the original document. The official bodies will reject the application if there are any structural or formatting errors. The immigration-related documents play a major role in the entire visa application process, and if there’s any translation mistake, you will have to cancel your plans of visiting a foreign country.
- Neglecting Cultural Nuances
Translating the words or sentences will not be enough. You must check for cultural nuances while translating. There are instances where certain terms were translated correctly technically, but they were culturally inappropriate. It is impossible for you to understand the nuances. Therefore, it is wise to hire a professional translator who can help you get things done correctly.
- Missing Certification Statements
Certified translations are mandatory for official documents. Also, the translated documents must have a signed statement by the translator or the company. The statement acts as proof of the accuracy and completeness of the translation. If the statement is missing in your translated document, you might have to wait to complete your bucket list.
- Wrong Date Format
The date format for different countries is different. A common translation mistake is mixing up the date formats. For example, in the case of a birth certificate translation, you need to ensure that the date format follows the one that the country you are traveling to uses. This is again a reason you need to hire a professional translator to translate your documents.
- Mistranslating Occupation Titles
Professional document translation can be confusing. You need to understand that an occupation title will not have a different term in the target language. Don’t make the mistake of doing it yourself. A translator who is well-versed in professional document translations can help you with the entire process.
- Incorrect Translation of Names
You will not have a direct translation for your name. While some cultures use phonetic spellings, others need complete transliterations. In case you have your name translated differently in various documents, the authorities will reject the documents, thinking you are submitting fake paperwork.
So, how do you avoid making such mistakes? Don’t worry, we have the answer for that too. We won’t let your plans go to waste.
How to Avoid Common Translation Mistakes?
By now, you have understood how a minor mistake can ruin all your plans. Therefore, to ensure you are on the right track and that all your documents are translated correctly, here’s what you can do:
- Hire a Professional Translator
Don’t think twice before hiring a professional translator. They are the best to help you with the process. They are trained to ensure that the translations meet all the requirements and are always accurate.
- Check Everything Twice
While hiring a professional is the best way, you must not let go of things. It is important that you double-check the documents before you make the final submission. Go through the names, dates, and all other information and compare them with the original before you move forward.
- Ask for Certification
Do not come back with a translated document that is not certified. You must ask for certification. The certification statement acts as a sign of accuracy and also adds credibility to the translated document.
- Check the Formatting
You must ensure that the formatting and structure are maintained in the translated document. Go through everything, from layouts, headings, to the positioning of stamps and signatures.
- Be Culturally Aware
Hire a translator who is culturally aware and understands the cultural context of both source and target languages. It will help capture the nuances that might be missed in other cases.
Final Thoughts,
Translation mistakes are common among all immigrants. They tend to overlook the importance of translation in the visa process and face delays in approvals. To ensure you don’t face any such consequences, it is highly recommended that you hire someone who has knowledge and experience in translations.
However, you need to ensure that you go through all of the things before making the final submission.
