Updated
GL-N-08
Glossary · Documents and legalization
Nostrification - recognition of a diploma, needed to work in your profession
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- Official recognition of foreign education in the destination country
- What it answers
- Whether your qualification matches the local one and whether you can work in your profession
- Who decides
- The competent authority or the relevant ministry of the country
- What may be required
- Additional subjects, examinations, practice — depending on the profession
- Not to be confused with
- From legalisation: that confirms authenticity, this confirms the substance of the qualification
02 / In plain words
What Nostrification means
Nostrification is the recognition of foreign education in the destination country. Unlike legalisation, which confirms only the authenticity of a document, here the substance is assessed: what you studied, for how many hours, and whether the programme meets local requirements for the field.
How complex the procedure is depends on the profession. For unregulated professions, formal recognition of the level of education is often enough. For regulated ones — medicine, law, engineering, teaching, pharmacy — the requirements are stricter: additional subjects, professional examinations, confirmation of practice and a certain level of language proficiency may be required.
For a family that is relocating, this is one of the most underestimated questions. Immigration status can be obtained relatively quickly, while the right to work in your profession is a process of months, sometimes longer. That is why the question of recognising qualifications is sensibly raised at the very start of planning, not after the move.
A case from practice
In one family the wife planned to work in a regulated profession. We raised the question of recognising her qualification when the country was being chosen — and it influenced the choice: in one jurisdiction the path took noticeably less time than in another.
When nostrification is needed
- Working in a regulated profession
- Employment in your field
- Continuing studies abroad
- Obtaining a professional licence
- Opening a practice or surgery
- Recognition of a spouse’s qualification
03 / What it covers
What the authority assesses
Education
- Level of the programme
- List of subjects
- Number of hours
Documents
- Diploma and transcript
- Legalisation and translation
- University certificates
Profession
- Regulated or not
- The ministry’s requirements
- Whether examinations are needed
In addition
- Language proficiency
- Practical experience
- Additional subjects
04 / How it works
How the process works
Find out the requirements for the profession
Whether the profession is regulated and what is required.
Legalise the educational documents
Apostille and translation of the diploma and transcript.
Apply for recognition
Filing with the authorised body.
Additional subjects or examinations if needed
Extra subjects, exams, language - if required.
Decision on recognition
The qualification is recognised; you can work.
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01What it is
Recognition of education
The country assesses whether your qualification matches the local one.
02Not to be confused
With legalisation
Legalisation confirms the diploma is genuine; nostrification assesses the qualification.
03Regulated professions
Stricter
Medicine, law, engineering, teaching, pharmacy: extra subjects, exams, practice, language.
04Timing
Months
Recognition runs separately from immigration and often takes longer.
Common mistakes
Leaving it until after the move
Raise recognition at the start of planning.
Thinking legalisation of the diploma is enough
Check whether nostrification is needed for your work.
Not checking whether the profession is regulated
Find out the requirements of the country's professional body.
Ignoring language requirements
Allow time for a language exam at the required level.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
The question is raised when choosing the country: requirements for the same profession differ noticeably between jurisdictions. Educational documents are legalised in advance, and language study starts before the move if the profession requires a confirmed level. A realistic timeline for starting work is built with a margin of several months.
What we do for you. When a family relocates, we always ask who plans to work and in what capacity. Recognition of qualifications can turn out to be a longer path than the immigration itself, and sometimes it is what determines the choice of country.
Darya MelnikFamily relocation, schools, residency for nomads and retirees
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
Official recognition of foreign education: it assesses whether your qualification meets local requirements for the field.
Legalisation confirms the authenticity of a document. Nostrification assesses the substance of the education and the right to work in the profession.
No. For unregulated professions, formal recognition of the level is often enough. Medicine, law, engineering and teaching have strict requirements.
Yes, regulated professions may require professional examinations, additional subjects and confirmation of practice.
Usually months. Longer for complex professions with examinations. The procedure runs separately from the immigration one.
When choosing the country. Requirements for the same profession differ between jurisdictions, and this may influence the choice.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
