Certified Translation for US Immigrant Visas from Egypt
Certified translation accepted by foreign embassies in Cairo
Families applying for US immigrant visas from Egypt – spouses, parents, children and siblings of US citizens or residents – must submit civil documents, and anything not in English needs a full English translation. This guide focuses on the immigrant-visa file processed through the National Visa Center and the US Embassy in Cairo; for non-immigrant visas such as tourist, student and work visas, see our companion guide on certified translation for the US Embassy in Cairo.
What US rules say about translations
US immigration regulations require that any foreign-language document submitted to USCIS be accompanied by a full English translation, with the translator certifying that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from that language into English. See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Visa applications follow the same principle: a document in Arabic needs an accurate, certified English translation attached to a copy of the original.
US authorities do not require a specific "embassy-approved" translator for these files. What matters is a complete, accurate translation with a proper certification statement – which a professional certified translation office provides.
Egyptian civil documents typically needed
The US Department of State's reciprocity and civil documents page for Egypt explains which Egyptian documents are acceptable and where to obtain them. Commonly required items include:
- Birth certificates (computerised extracts from the Civil Status Organisation).
- Marriage certificates and, where relevant, divorce or death certificates.
- Police certificates for applicants aged 16 and over.
- Court and prison records, if any.
- Military records, where applicable.
- Financial support documents for the sponsor – usually already in English.
Some Egyptian certificates are available in bilingual or English versions. If you already hold an official English version, you may not need a separate translation; check the State Department page for each document.
What the translation should include
- A complete translation of every page, including stamps, seals and annotations.
- Names spelled exactly as in the passport, consistently across all documents.
- Dates in a clear, unambiguous format.
- A signed certification statement confirming accuracy and the translator's competence, with the office's details and date.
Avoiding delays
Most requests for additional evidence relate to missing pages, inconsistent name spellings or documents that do not match the State Department's list. Upload clear scans of both the original and the translation, keep one spelling of each name throughout, and bring originals plus translations to the interview in Cairo. Our article on translation mistakes that delay applications lists the most common problems, and translating personal documents for immigration compares US requirements with those of other countries. For other missions in Cairo, see our embassy translation services.
Frequently asked questions
Does the US Embassy in Cairo have an approved translator list?
The published US rule is about the translation itself: complete, accurate and certified by a competent translator. Check the current instructions for your case before you submit.
Do I need to legalise Egyptian documents for a US visa?
Follow the State Department's Egypt civil documents page, which lists the acceptable version of each document and the issuing authority, and any instructions you receive from the NVC or the embassy. Do not add steps that are not requested.
Can I translate my own documents for the NVC?
The rules focus on translator competence and certification, but a translation by the applicant or a family member invites doubts. An independent certified office is safer.
How long does translation take for an immigrant-visa file?
A typical family file of civil documents takes one to two working days.
Prepare your US immigrant-visa translations
Send your Egyptian civil documents and passport spellings. COT will deliver complete, certified English translations ready to upload and bring to your interview.
- WhatsApp / phone: +20 111 176 0177
- Email: Operation@cottranslation.com
- Branches in Maadi, Downtown Cairo and Mohandessin – addresses and opening hours on our contact page.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice, and reflects US requirements as of the last-updated date above. Always follow the current instructions from the National Visa Center, the US Embassy in Cairo and travel.state.gov for your specific case.