What are the main challenges in translating documents?

In processes such as EB-2 NIW, documents in Portuguese almost always need to be translated into English with accuracy and fidelity. This is a sensitive step: a weak translation can compromise how your evidence is understood by the reviewing officers.

The main challenges tend to be:

• Technical and legal accuracy: terms with no direct English equivalent require careful translation to avoid distorting the original meaning.
• Format and context: dates, names, and addresses follow their own conventions and must be presented in a way that is clear to U.S. authorities.
• Certification: translations for immigration purposes normally need to be accompanied by a statement of accuracy signed by the translator.

For this reason, informal or amateur translations represent a real risk to the process. Working with qualified, up-to-date professionals strengthens your case and prevents any doubt about the authenticity of your documents.

Since translation and certification requirements may vary depending on the type of document, confirm the current requirements with USCIS or a qualified specialist before submitting your petition.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.