Do I need an agent, and what are the most common mistakes?

Short answer: No agent can get you a PhD place; selection is a public ranking. Universitaly, embassy appointments (Embassy of Italy Dhaka), the Declaration of Value for study in Dhaka, MAECI applications and the patronati help with the permit kit are all free. CIMEA works only with the holder (CIMEA).

Integrity matters even more at PhD level. Universities must report false academic documents to the authorities, the embassy and CIMEA (MUR circular). A copied research proposal is also easy to spot, and you will defend every line in the interview.

The ten most common PhD mistakes

1. Missing calls because you started looking in summer.
2. Writing one generic proposal for every call.
3. Accepting a position without a scholarship and no other funding.
4. Starting CIMEA only after the ranking.
5. Relying on an MOI letter for a Dhaka visa.
6. Assuming the scholarship letter alone satisfies the embassy without asking.
7. Missing the MAECI deadline in March.
8. Not opening an Italian bank account quickly, which delays scholarship payments.
9. Paying €700 for SSN in November for two months of cover.
10. Taking paid work without the doctoral committee's approval.

What an agency can and cannot do about the visa itself is V24.