Immigration Evidence Checklist

Identity and travel documents are required in every immigration application. Standard requirements include:

• Current valid passport — Must be valid for the duration of your intended stay or for the visa you are applying for. Submit the entire passport, including blank pages.
• All previous passports — For ILR and citizenship applications, UKVI requires all passports held during the qualifying period to verify your travel history and prior visas.
• Current and previous BRP or eVisa — If you hold or have held a Biometric Residence Permit or digital immigration status, provide evidence of this.
• Birth certificate — Required for some applications, particularly those involving citizenship or children. Must be a certified copy or original (not a photocopy).
• Change of name documents — If your current name differs from that on any document (e.g., due to marriage), provide the deed poll or marriage certificate explaining the change.

Financial evidence is required for most visa applications — to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support yourself, to meet minimum income requirements for family visas, or to demonstrate business viability. Common financial documents include:

• Personal bank statements — Typically covering the most recent 3–6 months. For the 28-day maintenance requirement on student and some other visas, statements must show the required funds held continuously for 28 days ending no more than 31 days before the application date.
• Employer letter and payslips — For family visa income requirements, an employer letter confirming employment, job title, salary, and contract type, together with payslips covering at least 6 months.
• P60 or tax return — For self-employed sponsors, HMRC tax returns and supporting accounts.
• Company accounts — For business visa applications or self-employed family visa sponsors, the most recent audited or independently examined accounts.
• Evidence of savings — Bank statements or investment account statements showing cash savings, for applications where savings are used to top up income or meet maintenance requirements.

For spouse, civil partner, and unmarried partner applications, extensive relationship evidence is required. UKVI wants to see evidence that the relationship is genuine, subsisting, and that you have met in person. Evidence should be varied and should span the history of the relationship:

• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (original or certified copy)
• Joint bank account statements showing regular use
• Joint tenancy or mortgage agreement showing cohabitation
• Utility bills or council tax in both names at the same address
• Correspondence addressed to both of you at the same address
• Travel records showing visits to each other (passport stamps, flight booking confirmations)
• Photographs of the couple together over time (include dates and locations)
• Communication records — screenshots of messaging, call logs (for periods of separation)
• Letters or cards exchanged between the couple
• Statements from family and friends confirming the relationship

Most UK work, family, and settlement visa routes require you to demonstrate English language ability. Acceptable forms of evidence include:

• Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate — A test taken with one of the approved providers (including IELTS Life Skills, Trinity College London, and LanguageCert). Must be from a test centre approved by UKVI for immigration purposes. Check the approved test list on GOV.UK before booking.
• Degree taught in English — A degree-level qualification taught and assessed in English from a recognised institution. If the institution is overseas, the Ecctis Academic Qualification Assessment (formerly UK NARIC) confirmation may be required.
• British or Irish citizenship or settled status — If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (including the USA, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, and others listed on GOV.UK), no language test is required.

The required level varies by route: B1 for family visas and ILR, B2 for Skilled Worker visas (though some shortage occupations may be lower), and B2 for most student applications. Always check the specific requirement for your route.