Documents, sworn translations and legalisation
This is the stage where most files fall behind, rarely for missing documents and almost always because they were handled in the wrong order. This guide gives the document list, the order of operations and the most frequent grounds for rejection.
Documents to gather
The exact list depends on the university and programme, but the core is consistent across institutions.
- Valid passport, with remaining validity comfortably covering the planned stay
- Baccalaureate certificate and transcripts for the last three years
- Birth certificate
- Medical certificates required for the student visa, including the HIV test
- Identity photos in the format requested by the university
- The university application form, completed and signed
The translation and legalisation chain, in the right order
Order matters here: a document translated before being legalised often has to be redone entirely.
- 1. Obtain the final original from the relevant Tunisian authority
- 2. Have that original certified or legalised in the required form — apostille or consular legalisation, to be confirmed with the consulate and the university
- 3. Have it translated into Russian by a sworn translator, translating the already-legalised document
- 4. Have the translation itself certified when the university requires it
What gets a file rejected
- A name spelled differently across documents, or differently from the passport
- A translation by a non-sworn translator, even if it is accurate
- A medical certificate expired by the time the file is reviewed: these have short validity
- A photocopy submitted where an original was required
- A diploma not yet issued, replaced by a provisional certificate the institution does not accept
How much time to plan for
Allow several weeks for the whole chain, factoring in Tunisian administrative timelines and public holidays. Medical certificates come last, so they stay valid when the file is reviewed.
A simple rule: anything without an expiry date can start immediately, even before the university is finally chosen.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start before choosing my university?
Yes, and it is recommended. Legalising your diplomas and civil records does not depend on the institution: starting early saves several weeks.
Should documents be translated into Russian or English?
Into Russian in the vast majority of cases, including for English-taught programmes. Some universities accept English for part of the file: check before paying for a translation.
Do medical certificates have a deadline?
Yes, their validity is short. Do them last, once the rest of the file is ready, to avoid having to redo them.