Apostille
A certificate under the 1961 Hague Convention. Bangladesh joined with effect from 30 March 2025, and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles online through MyGov.
Student visa guide · Documents
Bangladesh joined the Apostille Convention with effect from 30 March 2025, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles online through MyGov. Most countries accept that apostille. Finland and Greece objected to Bangladesh joining, so their rules differ, and some universities set attestation rules of their own.
Written and reviewed by Anisuzzaman Kiron, Founder & CEO · Updated
| Apostille since | 30 March 2025, when Bangladesh joined the Apostille Convention |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online on MyGov (mygov.bd); issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Academic services on MyGov | Academic certificate, provisional certificate, grade sheet and transcript |
| You need | An NID or online birth registration, and scans under 1 MB |
| Apostille not enough | Finland and Greece objected; Finland legalises at its New Delhi embassy |
| University rules | Helsinki: MOFA-attested copies with the seal on every page |
From HCCH, embassy, university and MyGov sources · Last verified
The basics
Both show that a Bangladeshi public document is genuine. An apostille is a standard certificate that countries in the Apostille Convention accept without their own embassy's legalisation; attestation is the Ministry's seal and signature on the document itself.
A certificate under the 1961 Hague Convention. Bangladesh joined with effect from 30 March 2025, and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles online through MyGov.
For a country that does not accept the apostille, its embassy legalises the document. Finland legalises Bangladeshi documents at its embassy in New Delhi, even if they carry an apostille.
Universities can ask for more. The University of Helsinki wants degree and transcript copies attested by the Ministry's Consular and Welfare Wing, with the original seal on every page.
Which documents? Often your academic certificates and transcripts, a birth certificate that links you to a sponsor, and the police clearance. Each country's visa page lists its own.
Sources: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table · BSS: MoFA e-apostille on MyGov, 13 Dec 2025 · Embassy of Finland, New Delhi · University of Helsinki: country-specific requirements. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
By country
Most countries that accept the apostille ask for it on a few key documents. Check the exact list on the country's visa page before you apply on MyGov.
| Country | Documents | How |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Relationship documents for a sponsor; your study certificate needs a CIMEA statement or a Declaration of Value | Apostille by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Hungary | Latest school certificates and the birth certificate in English | Attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Finland | Documents for the residence permit | Legalised at the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, even with an apostille |
| Greece | Police clearance, not older than 3 months | Apostille and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as GVC World Dhaka lists |
| Cyprus (University of Cyprus) | Bank statement, police certificate, medical results and passport copy | Apostille, for countries in the convention |
| Türkiye | Academic certificates; family and birth certificates in English | Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation where required (Sunrise counselling sheet) |
Denmark: the Embassy of Denmark in Dhaka does not legalise documents issued in Bangladesh; ask the Danish authority that requested the document.
Sources: Embassy of Italy in Dhaka · VFS Italy Dhaka checklist (checked 9 Nov 2026) · BLS Dhaka Hungary checklist · Embassy of Finland, New Delhi · GVC World Dhaka: Greece national visa (checked 10 Nov 2026) · University of Cyprus entry permit rules · Embassy of Denmark in Dhaka. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Apostille on MyGov
Apply online at mygov.bd. Each service page shows its documents, fee and processing time, and the apostilled document is ready to download from your dashboard.
An NID or an online birth registration certificate.
Before you startCreate a MyGov account with your mobile number or email, then verify it with your NID or birth registration.
Step 2For academic documents: academic certificate, provisional certificate, grade sheet or transcript.
Step 3JPEG, JPG or PNG, each under 1 MB. Keep the original at hand.
Step 4Pay the fee shown on the service page; you get a tracking number.
Step 5The document appears on your dashboard after the stated working days.
Step 6Use only the official site, mygov.bd. Fees and processing times are shown on each service page and can change.
Sources: BSS, 13 Dec 2025 · UNB: attesting certificates on MyGov, 17 Dec 2024 · Varendra University: apostille system. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Finland and Greece
Both objected to Bangladesh joining the Apostille Convention, so the apostille does not apply between Bangladesh and them.
The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi says all Bangladeshi documents must be legalised there, even if they have an apostille.
Plan it around your VFS New Delhi appointment, when you will already need an Indian visa.
GVC World in Dhaka takes the file and the Embassy of Greece in New Delhi decides. Follow GVC's checklist exactly: it lists the police clearance with an apostille and Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation.
Sources: HCCH: objections to Bangladesh's accession · Embassy of Finland, New Delhi · GVC World Dhaka (checked 10 Nov 2026). Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
University rules
Yes. A university can ask for attested copies even where the embassy accepts an apostille, so read its country-specific instructions.
Italian universities and the visa need your study certificate assessed: a CIMEA statement or a Declaration of Value. See our Italy student visa guide.
Sources: University of Helsinki: country-specific requirements · Embassy of Italy in Dhaka. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Translation
Documents not in English need an official translation for most countries. Get English versions where they exist, such as the birth certificate.
Sources: Embassy of Switzerland in Dhaka · BLS Dhaka Hungary checklist · University of Cyprus. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Step by step
Six steps, from the rules to a full set of copies.
The country's visa checklist and the university's instructions.
After admissionCertificates, transcripts, birth certificate and police clearance.
EarlyFor countries that accept the apostille.
Before the appointmentFinland at its New Delhi embassy; follow GVC's list for Greece.
Before the appointmentOfficial translations of documents not in English.
Before the appointmentOriginals plus copies of every page.
For the appointmentNot sure which stamp you need? A Sunrise counsellor checks your country's list in a free consultation in Banani or Sylhet, or on WhatsApp 01611878274. See all countries in our student visa guide.
Sources: the official sources above. Order: Sunrise guidance. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
FAQ
Ask a counsellor directly if your question is not here.
WhatsApp 01611878274Yes. Bangladesh joined the Apostille Convention with effect from 30 March 2025, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles online through MyGov.
Register on mygov.bd with your NID or online birth registration, choose the service for your document, upload scans under 1 MB, pay the fee and download the result from your dashboard.
No. Finland objected to Bangladesh joining the convention, so documents must be legalised at the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, even with an apostille.
An apostille is a standard certificate accepted by countries in the Apostille Convention. Attestation is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' seal and signature on the document, which some universities, such as the University of Helsinki, still ask for.
It depends on the country: often academic certificates and transcripts, a birth certificate that links you to a sponsor, and the police clearance. Check the country's checklist.
Not by every university. The University of Helsinki accepts documents only from the main university or a college with degree-awarding status.
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