Documents to study abroad: apostille and certificate recognition
Where an apostille is enough, where consular legalisation is required and what separate recognition step each destination asks for.
Most failed applications are lost on paperwork, not on grades or money. Apostille, translation and recognition take anywhere from two weeks to three months — and in some countries they cannot be done after you arrive.
One rule matters more than the rest: the translation is made from the legalised document. Change the order and you pay twice.
The basic pack
- A passport valid well beyond the end of your programme.
- School certificate and transcript; for a master's — degree and transcript.
- Certified translation into the local language or into English.
- An English test certificate, if the programme requires one.
- Photos to local specification, health insurance, proof of funds.
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Apostille or consular legalisation
- Türkiye — apostille at home, notarised translation into Turkish, then Denklik at the Ministry of Education.
- UAE — an apostille is not accepted: you need consular legalisation through a notary, your country's MFA, the UAE embassy and MoFA, plus separate equivalency at the MoE.
- Spain — apostille, sworn translation and homologación.
- Italy — apostille, translation, recognition via CIMEA or Dichiarazione di valore, and pre-enrolment on Universitaly.
- Georgia — apostille, translation and recognition at NCEQE.
- Malaysia — not a party to the Hague Convention, so an apostille alone does nothing: follow the university and EMGS requirements.
- North Cyprus — get the apostille at home: it cannot be issued inside the TRNC.
The order to prepare documents in
Apostille, translation and recognition take from two weeks to three months
At home, before you leave
Apostille or legalisation
In several countries it can only be obtained in person or by proxy, and it cannot be issued inside the TRNC.
After legalisation
Certified translation
The translation is made from the legalised document — change the order and you pay twice.
Before paying the deposit
Recognition check
Denklik, homologación, CIMEA or NCEQE — check recognition first: deposits are almost always non-refundable.
Documents and legalisation: a checklist for nine destinations
Where an apostille is enough, where consular legalisation is required, and what separate recognition step each destination asks for — with the order of steps and timings.
- The basic document pack needed everywhere
- Apostille or consular legalisation — a table by destination
- Denklik, homologación, CIMEA, NCEQE: what they are and how long they take
- Three mistakes that cost applicants a year
Three mistakes that cost a year
- Translating before legalising. The translation must be made from the legalised document.
- Leaving home without an apostille. In several countries it can only be obtained in person or by proxy.
- Paying the deposit before checking recognition. Deposits are almost always non-refundable.
Find your programme in 2 minutes
Send us your school certificate and the countries you are considering — we will tell you what is needed, in what order and by when. The first consultation is free. AcademGo office: Warsaw, ul. Złota 7/28.