UK Visa Documents for Bangladeshi and Pakistani Applicants 2026

Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals are among the most frequent applicants for UK Skilled Worker and family visas. Both countries are on the mandatory TB test list and applicants from both nationalities face additional financial evidence scrutiny. This guide covers what Bangladeshi and Pakistani applicants specifically need to prepare in 2026.

Skilled Worker visa documents — Bangladesh and Pakistan

The core Skilled Worker document requirements are the same regardless of nationality. However, applicants from Bangladesh and Pakistan should pay particular attention to the following:

Financial evidence scrutiny

UKVI applies additional scrutiny to financial evidence from Bangladesh and Pakistan. In practice, this means:

Bank statements must be official certified printouts from your bank — on headed paper, stamped, or official online PDFs. For Bangladeshi applicants, Dutch-Bangla Bank, BRAC Bank, and Islami Bank all issue certified statements on request. For Pakistani applicants, HBL, MCB, and UBL certified statements are accepted.
The source of funds may be queried if large deposits appear in the statements without explanation. If funds were transferred from a family member or from savings, maintain clear records of the origin. A covering letter explaining any unusual deposits is advisable.
Maintain the required £1,270 for 28 consecutive days — not 28 days with temporary credits and debits. UKVI checks that the minimum balance is maintained continuously, not just on the start and end dates.

TB test certificates

Both Bangladesh and Pakistan are on the mandatory TB test list. You must obtain a TB test certificate from an approved clinic before submitting your visa application.

Bangladesh: Approved TB test clinics are located in Dhaka. The test costs approximately BDT 8,000–12,000. Results are available within 3–5 working days. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the test date — not the issue date.

Pakistan: Approved TB test clinics operate in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The test costs approximately PKR 15,000–25,000 depending on the centre. Results take 3–5 working days. The same 6-month validity applies.

English language requirements

For the Skilled Worker visa (new applicants from January 2026), English must be demonstrated at CEFR B2 level. For applicants from Bangladesh and Pakistan, this is typically met with IELTS UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, or LanguageCert ESOL SELT. Academic qualifications from institutions in Bangladesh or Pakistan do not automatically satisfy the English requirement — Ecctis verification of a degree taught in English is required if claiming an academic qualification exemption.

Document checklist — Skilled Worker

Valid passport (Bangladeshi or Pakistani national passport)
Certificate of Sponsorship reference from your UK employer
IELTS UKVI or other approved SELT certificate at B2 level (or Ecctis verification letter for academic exemption)
TB test certificate from an approved clinic (valid within 6 months)
Certified bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 consecutive days
Employer letter confirming salary, job title, start date, and contract type
Degree or professional qualification certificates

Spouse and family visa — Bangladesh and Pakistan

UK spouse visa applications from Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals have historically been subject to higher refusal rates than the UK average. The most common reasons are financial evidence failures and insufficient relationship evidence.

Financial requirement

The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000 gross per year in 2026 (up from £18,600 in 2023). This is a significant threshold for many sponsors. If the sponsor's income is from self-employment, you need the most recent 2 years of tax returns and accounts. If income varies, UKVI uses a 6-month average.

If the sponsor does not meet the threshold through employment alone, savings can be used to make up the shortfall. The Home Office formula is: savings required = (shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. The savings must have been held in a regulated bank account for 6 months or more.

Relationship evidence — specific considerations

For arranged marriages — which are common in both Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities — UKVI expects evidence that the couple had genuine contact and established a real relationship before and after the marriage, even where the initial introduction was through family. This does not mean pre-arranged marriages are treated differently legally, but it does mean applicants must provide particularly strong ongoing communication evidence.

Recommended evidence includes: phone records or call logs showing regular contact, WhatsApp or social media message history, video call records, photographs at different times and locations, and evidence of the sponsor visiting the applicant in Bangladesh or Pakistan (flights, hotel bookings, visa stamps).

Police clearance certificates

A police clearance certificate is not a standard requirement for most UK visa categories. However, some employers (particularly in healthcare and education) and some UKVI officers in particular circumstances may request one. If asked for one, the relevant authorities are:

Bangladesh: Special Branch of Bangladesh Police (National Security Intelligence). Allow 4–6 weeks.
Pakistan: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Character Certificate. Available from FIA offices in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Allow 3–5 weeks.

Document checklist — spouse visa

Valid Bangladeshi or Pakistani passport
Marriage certificate (with certified English translation if in Bengali or Urdu)
UK sponsor's passport or BRP/eVisa evidence
UK sponsor's 6 months payslips and bank statements
UK sponsor's employer letter confirming salary and employment
Evidence of adequate accommodation in the UK
English language certificate at A1 level (IELTS UKVI Life Skills A1 or other approved SELT)
TB test certificate from an approved clinic
Relationship evidence — photographs, communication records, visit evidence

Get a personalised checklist

The document requirements vary depending on your specific circumstances — visa type, current country of residence, sponsor employment type, and more. VisaVault generates a personalised checklist for your exact situation. Visit the Skilled Worker visa or spouse visa page to start.