If you are planning to study MBBS in Italy through the IMAT exam, one of the most important documents required during the admission process is the Declaration of Value (DOV). Many international students are not familiar with this document and often face delays in their admission or visa process due to incomplete documentation.
The Declaration of Value is an official document issued by the Italian authorities that verifies the authenticity and level of your educational qualifications. It confirms that your academic certificates are valid and equivalent to the Italian education system.
In this guide, we will explain everything about the Declaration of Value for Italy, including its purpose, required documents, application process, timelines, and tips to ensure smooth approval.
What is a Declaration of Value (DOV)?
The Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) is a document issued by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the student completed their education.
This document confirms:
- The authenticity of the student’s academic qualifications
- The duration of the educational program
- The institution that issued the qualification
- The equivalency of the qualification within the Italian education system
Italian universities require the DOV to verify that international students meet the minimum educational requirements for university admission.
For students applying for MBBS in Italy through IMAT, the DOV confirms that the 12 years of schooling (10+2 education) is valid for entry into a medical program in Italy.
Why is the Declaration of Value Important?
The DOV is an essential part of the Italian admission and visa process.
1. Academic Qualification Verification
Italian universities must confirm that international students have completed an education system equivalent to the Italian secondary school diploma.
2. University Enrollment Requirement
Many universities request the Declaration of Value during the final enrollment stage.
3. Student Visa Processing
The DOV is often required during the student visa application process at the Italian embassy.
Without this document, students may face delays in admission or visa approval.
Who Needs a Declaration of Value?
International students applying to Italian universities usually need the Declaration of Value.
This includes students applying for:
- MBBS / Medicine and Surgery programs
- Engineering courses
- Bachelor’s degree programs
- Master’s degree programs
Students applying for MBBS in Italy through the IMAT exam must obtain a DOV for their 12th-grade academic qualification.
Documents Required for Declaration of Value
To apply for the Declaration of Value, students must submit several academic and identification documents.
Academic Documents
Students usually need to provide:
- 10th grade certificate
- 12th grade certificate
- Mark sheets or transcripts
- School leaving certificate
These documents prove that the student has completed the required level of education.
Personal Identification Documents
Students must also submit:
- Passport copy
- Passport-size photographs
- Admission letter (if available)
- Application forms required by the embassy
Translation Requirements
In most cases, academic documents must be translated into Italian by an authorized translator.
The translated documents must then be notarized and certified before submission.
Apostille or Attestation
Students may also need to obtain an apostille or legalization for their academic documents before applying for the Declaration of Value.
This step verifies that the documents are legally recognized by international authorities.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Declaration of Value
The process for obtaining a Declaration of Value typically involves several steps.
Step 1: Prepare Academic Documents
Students must collect their academic certificates and transcripts from their school or educational board.
Step 2: Translate Documents into Italian
The academic documents must be translated into Italian by an official translator.
Step 3: Notarization and Apostille
After translation, documents must be notarized and apostilled according to the requirements of the Italian embassy.
Step 4: Submit Application to the Italian Embassy
Students must submit the documents to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
Some embassies allow online applications through their official platforms.
Step 5: Verification by the Embassy
The embassy verifies the documents and confirms the equivalence of the student’s educational qualification.
Step 6: Receive the Declaration of Value
Once approved, the embassy issues the Declaration of Value document, which can be used for university enrollment and visa processing.
Processing Time for Declaration of Value
The processing time for a Declaration of Value varies depending on the embassy and the volume of applications.
In most cases, it takes around:
2 to 4 weeks
However, during peak admission seasons, processing may take longer. Students are advised to apply as early as possible.
Declaration of Value vs CIMEA Certificate
Some Italian universities accept an alternative document called the CIMEA Statement of Comparability.
Both documents confirm the equivalence of foreign educational qualifications.
Differences
Declaration of Value
- Issued by the Italian embassy
- Used mainly for visa and university admission
- Traditional verification method
CIMEA Certificate
- Issued by the Italian academic recognition center
- Can be applied online
- Faster processing in some cases
Students should check which document their university requires.