Degree, Certificates and Translations: Preparing Your Documents for an Italian Work Visa

In our experience the longest part of a Blue Card case is rarely the authorities. It is the documents: a degree certificate from a university that takes weeks to answer, a marriage certificate in the wrong format, a translation that is not certified. Start this track first, and the rest of the case moves faster.

What you will need  

For the work permit and visa:

• passport, with enough validity and blank pages for your consulate’s rules;
• degree certificate and transcripts, or proof of a higher professional qualification;
• experience letters, if you qualify through experience, describing tasks, level and dates;
• professional recognition, for regulated professions;
• proof of accommodation in Italy, such as a lease, a hotel booking or a hosting declaration;
• the nulla osta issued to your employer.

For the family file:

• marriage certificate;
• birth certificates of children;
• proof of dependency for parents.

Legalisation and apostille  

Documents issued outside the EU usually have to be authenticated before Italian authorities accept them. Depending on the issuing country, that is done through an apostille or through legalisation by the Italian consulate. The Embassy of Italy in Beijing, for example, asks for a certified copy, an apostille and a certified Italian translation for non-EU documents.

The process depends on the country that issued the document, not on your nationality. A degree from a UK university held by an Indian citizen follows the UK process.

Certified translation  

Italian authorities want documents in Italian. Translations must usually be certified: either made or confirmed by the consulate, or sworn in Italy. A translation by a friend, or by an unlisted agency, is not enough.

Translate after the apostille, not before, so the apostille is translated too.

CIMEA statement for degrees  

The declaration of value (dichiarazione di valore) issued by the Italian consulate used to be the standard way to describe a foreign degree. According to the Embassy in Beijing checklist, a CIMEA comparability certificate can replace it for higher education qualifications. CIMEA is the Italian centre for academic recognition and mobility, and it can issue statements online. Ask us which option is faster for your country.

Experience letters that work  

If your Blue Card relies on experience rather than a degree, the letters carry the case. Each should state:

• the employer, on letterhead, with contact details;
• your role and level;
• the main tasks, in a few lines;
• start and end dates, full-time or part-time;
• signature and date.

Dates alone are not enough. Ask former employers early.

Names and spellings  

Check that your name is spelled identically on the passport, the degree, the marriage certificate and the tax code. Transliterated names cause the most problems. If there is a difference, get an official document explaining it before you apply.

A timeline  

Our part  

As your Employer of Record we tell you exactly which documents your route needs, check scans before filing, and keep them consistent across the permit, the contract and payroll. See visa routes or the guide for your country .

The questions that come up  

How long does an apostille take? It depends on the issuing country and office. Ask for it as soon as you have the original.

Are digital diplomas accepted? Rules vary. Many consulates still want certified paper originals. Check your consulate’s checklist.

Do I need my high school diploma? Usually not for a Blue Card based on a degree. It may be needed for some recognition procedures.

Can I translate documents myself? No. Translations must be certified, either by the consulate or by a sworn translator in Italy.

Should I bring originals to Italy? Yes. Bring originals with apostille and translation. Offices in Italy may ask to see them again, and family files reuse many of the same documents.

What about documents in English? Even English documents usually need an Italian translation for Italian authorities. Some offices accept English for certain items; do not count on it.