Do I need a Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA for Italy's nomad visa?
Updated · Documents & nulla osta guide · Not legal advice
Yes, if you rely on a degree obtained outside the EU. Consulates ask for the degree with a Dichiarazione di Valore (issued by the Italian consulate covering where the degree was awarded) or, in its place, a CIMEA statement of comparability (attestato di comparabilità), which you can request online from CIMEA. Either lets the consulate confirm the degree meets the three-year tertiary rule.
| Item | Dichiarazione di Valore (DV) | CIMEA statement |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Italian consulate for the place the degree was awarded | CIMEA (Italian ENIC-NARIC centre) |
| How | Through the consulate's procedure | Online application |
| Accepted for the nomad visa | Yes | Yes, in place of the DV (per consulate sheets) |
| Cost and timing | Check the consulate | Check CIMEA's current price list |
Which one should Americans choose
If your US consulate's DV procedure is slow or needs a separate appointment, the CIMEA statement is often simpler because it is requested online. Check that your consulate accepts it: consulate sheets list it as an alternative to the DV.
Degree documents to prepare
- Diploma: notarised copy apostilled by the state where the university is.
- Transcript: often requested for the DV or CIMEA.
- Certified Italian translation of both.
Quick answers
- Is a US bachelor's degree enough?
- A 4-year US bachelor's meets the 3-year tertiary rule. You still need the DV or CIMEA statement.
- What if my degree is from another country?
- The DV comes from the Italian consulate for that country; CIMEA works for degrees from anywhere.
- Do I need this with the ICT or experience route?
- No. Those routes rely on experience evidence, not the degree.
What to do next
Start the free checker: it tells you which recognition document to order first.
Free eligibility check and checklist. Paid plans are one-time, flat fees for a human review of your full Italy visa file.
Sources
- CIMEA: statements of comparability for foreign qualifications
- Embassy of Italy in Zagreb: digital nomads requirements (EN/IT, PDF)
- Embassy of Italy in Chisinau: digital nomad and remote worker visas (IT, PDF)
- Embassy of Italy in Canberra: digital nomads / remote employees (IT, PDF, 2026)
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.