Frequently Asked Questions

Upstream Translation & Immigration is a Vancouver-based translation and immigration practice led by Ben Crompton. Ben is a long-standing Certified Translator and currently serves as Registrar of the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC). He studied immigration law at the University of British Columbia and later completed Queen’s University’s Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law. He is licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants as a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Ben also works with a broad network of translators, interpreters and immigration professionals throughout British Columbia and beyond. When a project requires a language or area of expertise outside his own, he works with professionals who have the appropriate experience.

Certified translations are commonly required for official purposes such as immigration, government, legal and educational applications. The organization receiving your document ultimately determines what it will accept.

A certified translation is prepared and certified by a Certified Translator and includes the translator’s professional certification information.

A standard translation is a professional translation without Certified Translator certification. It is suitable when the receiving organization does not require a certified translation.

Upstream currently provides in-house certified translations from French, German and Spanish into English.

Yes. We work with specialist translators for other language combinations. These projects receive a personalized quote and timeline after review.

Usually not. Some courts, legal proceedings or other institutions may specifically require an affidavit or notarization in addition to certification.

An affidavit is a sworn statement in which a translator confirms that a translation is complete and accurate. An affidavit does not itself turn a non-certified translation into a certified translation.

Yes. ICBC uses its own approved-translator process. Please use our dedicated ICBC Translation Request.

Usually, a clear and complete scan or photograph of the entire document is sufficient to begin. Missing, cropped or illegible portions can delay the work.

For translations under 500 words, no upfront payment is required. For translations over 500 words, a 50% deposit is required before work begins, with the balance due on delivery.