ENG
ITA
Visas & International Documents
Navigate the legal requirements with ease. Everything you need to know about Study Visas, the Declaration of Value, and Apostille seals.Simplifying the Bureaucracy
Studying abroad involves some paperwork, but you are not alone. Link University is here to guide you through the process of validating your international qualifications and securing your entry into Italy.
Select the topic below that applies to your situation to find clear, step-by-step instructions.
EU Citizens: Non-Italian students who are citizens of other EU member states do not need a study visa to enter and study in Italy.
Non-EU Citizens: You must obtain a Study Visa from the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country before arriving. We strongly recommend consulting the Italian Embassy in your country early for deadlines, as appointments can fill up quickly.
Required Documentation for Your Visa Appointment
After receiving the Pre-Acceptance Letter for your chosen study program from Link University, you must submit the following documentation to the Italian Embassy/Consulate. (Note: Originals will be returned after inspection; copies will be retained).
The Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore - DOV) is an official document certifying the authenticity and value of an academic qualification obtained outside the Italian educational system. Because foreign degrees are not automatically recognized in Italy, the DOV is required to formally translate your educational level into the Italian standard.
What information does the DOV contain?
How to Obtain It
The DOV is written in Italian and must be issued exclusively by the Italian diplomatic representative (Embassy or Consulate) in the country where you attained your highest educational qualification.
Usually, students can pre-apply for the issuance of a DOV from early April to the first week of July. The original copy, fully legalized, must be presented to our Admissions Team upon formal enrollment.
For official directives, please visit the Italian Ministry website: studiare-in-italia.it
An Apostille is an international certification seal issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent authority) in the country where your academic qualification was awarded. It authenticates the signatures and seals on your public documents so they can be legally recognized in Italy.
If your country signed the Hague Convention:
Any country that signed the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, is obligated to affix the Apostille seal to all legal academic records upon request. This is the fastest and easiest method.
If your country did NOT sign the Hague Convention:
Your records must undergo Diplomatic Legalization by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country of issuance. Before legalizing, the Embassy might require that the signature of your scholastic authority (e.g., your school principal) be officially authenticated by your local Ministry of Education.
Useful Links:
Need Help with the Paperwork?
We know international bureaucracy can be overwhelming. Fill out the form below, and our dedicated student advisers will guide you through every step of your visa and documentation process.