Italy Study Documents: CIMEA, Declaration of Value, Apostille (2027/28)

To study in Italy you need your diploma and transcripts plus one recognition document: either CIMEA statements of comparability and verification or a Declaration of Value (DoV) from the Italian embassy in the country where you studied. On top of that you may need Italian translations and an apostille or legalisation, depending on your country and your embassy's checklist.

The MUR circular for 2026/27–2027/28 and its FAQ make one point very clear: whatever method your university used to assess you, at the visa stage you must produce either the DoV or a CIMEA statement that also confirms authenticity. This guide explains each document, in which order to get them, and what Afghan, Pakistani and Iranian applicants should know.

The documents you need, by level

All levels also need Italian translations where required, any other authenticity documents, an English B2 certificate and the Universitaly pre-enrolment summary validated by the university.

CIMEA statements of comparability and verification

CIMEA is Italy's ENIC-NARIC centre. It issues two statements:

• Statement of Comparability – places your qualification in the Bologna cycles and the European Qualifications Framework.
• Statement of Verification – confirms your qualification was really awarded by an official body in your country. CIMEA may contact your institution, check databases and examine legalisations, stamps and signatures.

Neither statement binds universities; they are strong indications that help the university and the consulate. You apply online on CIMEA-Diplome. For qualifications from the 55 Lisbon Recognition Convention countries, comparability statements can be downloaded free from ARDI and only verification remains. CIMEA shows fees and processing times on the platform; we could not verify them on a public page, so check them when you start.

Declaration of Value (DoV)

A Declaration of Value 'in loco' is issued by the Italian embassy or consulate for qualifications obtained in its country. It describes your qualification; it is not a recognition in itself.

Example: the Italian Embassy in Tehran issues DoV for qualifications obtained in Iran, by appointment on Prenot@mi under the 'legalizzazione' service. You bring the diploma and transcript translated into Italian and stamped by Iran's Foreign and Justice ministries, a passport copy and the Universitaly admission letter. Fees depend on the purpose and number of translations.

CIMEA or Declaration of Value: which should you choose?

Our honest advice: ask your university which one it prefers, check your embassy checklist, and start whichever is realistic for your country first. Some universities have agreements with CIMEA.

Translations: what counts as official?

Rules depend on the mission. The Islamabad embassy accepts only documents in English or with an Italian translation, and translations must be certified by a notary whose signature is apostilled. Educational documents must be originals with a photocopy, apostilled and translated into Italian, and documents are valid for six months from issue. The Tehran embassy requires translations legalised by Iran's Foreign and Justice ministries for Iranian documents.

Apostille or legalisation?

If your country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents get an apostille. Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are parties; Pakistani documents for the Islamabad embassy must carry an apostille. If your country is not a party, your documents need legalisation through your own authorities and the Italian mission. Check your country on the HCCH status table.

Documents from Afghanistan

1. 1

   Check CIMEA first

   See on CIMEA-Diplome whether verification of your Afghan school or university certificates is available.

2. 2

   Ask the university and the embassy

   If CIMEA cannot verify them, ask your university and the Italian embassy where you will apply which alternative they accept. The Islamabad embassy asks that third-country documents be 'where possible, apostilled or legalized'.

3. 3

   Use the MUR note on conflict areas

   A MUR note of 3 July 2026 asks universities and consulates to consider war, displacement and lost documents with reasonableness while keeping the legal requirements.

4. 4

   If you are a refugee in Italy

   The European Qualifications Passport for Refugees, coordinated by CIMEA, can help when you cannot prove your qualification with documents.

When do universities ask for recognition documents?

Universities differ on when they want CIMEA or a DoV. Many accept plain scans for the application and ask for recognition documents only after admission or at enrolment. Examples from official requirement pages:

Even when the university needs them late, the visa needs them early – so in practice you should start as soon as you decide on Italy.

Other documents you will need in Italy

• Codice fiscale (tax code): needed for enrolment, rent contracts, a bank account, a phone SIM and the ISEE parificato. The Agenzia delle Entrate explains how foreign citizens get one, at an Italian consulate before departure or at a tax office in Italy.
• Family income and asset documents: if you want a fee reduction or a regional DSU scholarship, you need an ISEE parificato built from home-country documents, which usually must be translated and legalised. See scholarships in Italy.
• Residence permit receipt and health registration: keep copies of everything you submit to the post office and the Questura.

A document timeline that works

1. 1.10–12 months before start: order extra original transcripts and course descriptions from your school or university.
2. 2.9–11 months before: start CIMEA requests or book the DoV appointment; arrange certified translations.
3. 3.During applications: upload scans to university portals; some ask for CIMEA only on request or at enrolment.
4. 4.Before the visa: check that translations and apostilles are still within your embassy's validity period (six months in Islamabad).
5. 5.After arrival: bring originals – the university verifies their authenticity before confirming enrolment.

This timeline is our planning suggestion, not an official rule. Combine it with the application timeline and the student visa checklist, and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.

Mistakes that cost students months

• Assuming a university's pre-evaluation replaces CIMEA or DoV – it does not for the visa.
• Translating documents before they are apostilled or legalised when your embassy requires the translation to cover the stamps.
• Letting documents expire: Islamabad treats them as valid for six months.
• Paying unofficial agents to 'speed up' DoV or visa appointments.
• Submitting altered documents: universities report false documents to the authorities, the consulate and CIMEA, and the Tehran embassy warns of criminal complaints and Schengen alerts.

Keep a master folder. Store certified copies, translations, apostilles, CIMEA statements and receipts in one place, both on paper and as scans. You will reuse them for the university, the visa, the residence permit and any ISEE parificato, and replacing a lost original from abroad can take months.

For entry rules, see Italy university admission requirements. More guides on the Italy hub.