The difference
| Declaration of Value (DoV) | CIMEA Statement of Comparability | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Italian Embassy, Dhaka | CIMEA (Italy's recognition body) |
| What it says | What your degree is worth in Bangladesh | Where it sits in the European framework |
| Where you apply | At the embassy, by appointment | Entirely online |
| Cost | Embassy fee | Paid service |
| Time | Variable, often long | Usually about a month |
| Prerequisite | Full attestation of documents | Digital copies (attestation rules differ) |
Put simply: the DoV is the embassy's statement; CIMEA is a recognised evaluator's statement. Italian universities increasingly lean toward CIMEA because it is online and its timing is predictable.
Which one do you need?
It is programme-specific, and the only reliable source is the university's own "international applicants" page, which normally states which is accepted.
A practical rule:
- Short on time → CIMEA (predictable timing), and lodge the DoV application in parallel so you hold the receipt
- The university has named the DoV → DoV, and start today
- Not sure → email them: *"For a Bangladeshi Bachelor's degree, do you accept a CIMEA Statement of Comparability in place of the Declaration of Value?"*
Preparing for a DoV
A DoV requires your educational documents to be attested in Bangladesh first — education board or university, then Ministry of Education, then Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That chain alone takes weeks; the steps are in the attestation guide.
Typically required:
- 1Original certificates and transcripts (in English), attested
- 2Passport copy
- 3Admission or offer documents where applicable
- 4The embassy's form and fee
The embassy's own instructions are final. Lists and fees change. Read the Italian Embassy Dhaka page on Declarations of Value before applying and build a checklist from it — a single missing paper wastes the whole appointment.
Preparing for CIMEA
CIMEA runs entirely online:
- 1Create an account on the CIMEA portal
- 2Upload clear digital copies of your degree and transcript, in English
- 3Pay the fee
- 4Wait — usually about a month
- 5Receive a digital statement usable with universities and on Universitaly
⚠️ Scan quality matters. Blurred or cropped scans get applications returned, and the clock restarts. Use a proper scanner at 300 dpi, full page, straight — not a phone photo.
Timeline for a September intake
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Nov–Dec (previous year) | Collect transcripts and certificates; begin attestation |
| Jan–Feb | Finish attestation; apply for CIMEA or DoV |
| Feb–May | Apply to universities |
| May–Jul | Universitaly pre-enrolment plus university confirmation |
| Jul–Nov | VFS appointment and visa file |
Looking at that order makes the point: the equivalence step sits near the front of the chain, so a delay there pushes everything else back.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Should I get a DoV or a CIMEA statement?+
Whichever the university asks for — it is programme-specific and stated on their international applicants page. If time is short, CIMEA is convenient because it is online with predictable timing. If you are unsure, email the university and ask directly.
How long does CIMEA take?+
Usually about a month from application. It is a paid service and entirely online. Poor scan quality causes returns and restarts the clock, so scan at 300 dpi, full page and straight.
What do I need before applying for a DoV?+
Your educational documents attested in Bangladesh first — education board or university, then Ministry of Education, then Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That chain takes weeks, so start it before anything else.
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