Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

SAQA has resumed the evaluation of foreign qualifications and prospective applicants can continue to lodge online applications at http://www.saqa.org.za > Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications > Apply for an evaluation. Qualification holders must apply for their own evaluations and not use third parties for this purpose.

Submission of application documents to SAQA

SAQA will continue the existing arrangement of receiving applications by e-mail beyond 31 May 2020. Applicants must follow the procedure below:

After submitting their applications online, put together the necessary documentation and e-mail this to foreignapplications@saqa.org.za. Note that this mailbox will be used exclusively for this purpose and no other communication received here will be entertained.
The documentation to be attached to an application e-mail must include all the following:
1. A printout of the system generated application form, signed by the qualification holder;
2. A printout of the consent form, completed in full and signed by the qualification holder;
3. A copy of the ID document of the qualification holder;
4. Proof of payment of the amount indicated on the application form, which is also a pro forma invoice, showing the online submission number (e.g. 202005135010) as payment reference; and
5. A complete set of qualification documents in line with the document “What must be submitted” that applicant can access on the online application system
No documents need to be certified as true copies of originals. However, if originals are available applicants must please scan those instead of copies, to enhance legibility.
Use the online submission number (e.g. 202005135010) as the subject line of the e-mail.

The above does not preclude applicants from sending application documents, as described under paragraph 2 above, to SAQA by mail/courier. The details in this regard are as follows:

Postal address:

Postnet Suite 248

Private Bag X06

Waterkloof

0145

Arrange courier services through Postnet:

Delivery address:

PostNet Brooklyn, Shop 4 Brooklyn Square, 309 Veale street, Brooklyn Pretoria, South Africa, 0181

Attention: SAQA

SAQAqueries@postnet.co.za

Telephone: +27 12 460 1347

Contact persons: Koketso Mbambo / Mandy Meiring

National: Postnet to Postnet delivery

SAQA will receive appeals only by courier.

Results

SAQA will forward all results by courier. All applicants, when lodging their online applications, must therefore choose the option “Results to be delivered by couriers” and pay the associated courier fee as outlined below:

South Africa:	R224-00
African continent:	R275-00
The Middle East, Europe, and UK:	R340-00
Canada, Mexico, USA:	R380-00
Other parts of the world:	R490-00

When results are ready, SAQA will also inform applicants of the electronic SAQA Certificate of Evaluation available to them.

The SAQA walk-in service will remain closed until further notice.

About evaluation of foreign qualifications

If you have foreign qualifications and wish to study or work in South Africa, you might have to apply to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)(link is external) to have your qualifications evaluated. When you apply for some work permits in South Africa, immigration policy requires you to submit a Saqa certificate of evaluation as part of your application.

If you wish to attend a South African educational institution, you will need the Saqa to evaluate your qualification if the institution you have applied to requires you to do so.

Professional bodies may also require you to get a Saqa evaluation of your foreign qualification before you are allowed to practice your profession.

The purpose of the Saqa evaluation is to determine the level of the National Qualifications Framework at which foreign qualifications should be recognised.

This service is offered by the Directorate of Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services (DFQEAS) at the SAQA.

Note: To apply for the evaluation of foreign qualifications, study the procedural guidelines and tariff structure contained in the application form.

What you should do

Obtain the application form from Saqa, or complete your application online(link is external) (recommended).
Complete all the sections of the application form.
Ensure that proof of the necessary payment (always to be made in ZAR currency) accompanies the application.
Provide legible and certified true copies of all documents required.
Provide a copy of a legitimate identification document (ID).

Certificates in foreign languages must be accompanied by sworn translations into English.

Note: The Saqa needs both the document in the original language and the sworn translation.

How long does it take

Normal application: 30 working days.
Urgent application: 20 working days.
Priority application: 10 working days.
Special application: 48 hours (send a notification to specialrequests@saqa.org.za(link sends e-mail)).

How much does it cost

The cost is available on the Saqa website(link is external).

Forms to complete

Evaluation of foreign qualifications form is available South African Qualifications Authority.

Who to contact

Saqa contacts(link is external)

National office
Tel	012 431 5070
Fax	012 431 5147
E-mail	verifications@saqa.co.za(link sends e-mail)
City/town	Pretoria
Province	Gauteng
Physical address	South African Qualifications Authority, Quality Assurance, and Development, Hatfield Forum West, 1067 Arcardia Street, Hatfield, Pretoria
Postal address	Postnet Suite 248, Private Bag X06, Waterkloof, 014
Website	https://www.saqa.org.za/(link is external)

Current Notices

Non-refundable evaluation fees - 1 October 2020

Lockdown application procedure for Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications

Why does SAQA evaluate foreign qualifications?

The purpose of the evaluation function is the recognition of foreign qualifications in terms of the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF). SAQA derives this mandate from the NQF Act, 67 of 2008 (as amended) and performs the function according to the Policy and Criteria for Evaluating Foreign Qualifications within the South African NQF (as amended, 2017).

The function is an integral part of a national recognition value chain, as explained in the above Policy and Criteria. The focus of SAQA's role is on the location of foreign qualifications within the NQF. For admission to study; professional licensing; and employment the specific internal criteria and requirements of other relevant institutions must be met.

Evaluation is a two-phased process by SAQA to:

1. Verify foreign qualifications by ensuring the following

Issuing bodies are accredited/recognized in the national systems they operate in
Qualifications are legitimately issued by those issuing bodies and part of the national qualifications of that country
Qualifications documents are in order and awards claimed by individuals are genuine

2. Compare foreign qualifications with South African qualifications, considering the structure and outcomes of the foreign qualifications, to locate them within the South African NQF.

What are foreign qualifications?

Foreign qualification is issued by a nationally recognized institution and forms part of the national education and training system of a country other than South Africa.

According to SAQA, a foreign qualification is not:

Professional membership or a professional designation.
A certificate based on a short course; or in-service training, a workshop or seminar, or workplace integrated learning does not form part of the requirements to obtain a qualification.
A South African qualification.
None of the above should be submitted as a foreign qualification to be evaluated by SAQA

Who may apply for evaluation?

Only qualification holders (QHs) may apply for the evaluation of their foreign qualifications.

The above is to ensure that QHs are the prima facie owners of their applications and the outcomes thereof, including the protection of their private details and improved communication between them and SAQA. For this reason, SAQA will interact directly with QHs, and involve third parties only when they are the parents or legal guardians of the affected QHs.

QHs must register applications using their own, unique contact details.

SAQA is not responsible for third party administrative or financial assistance to QHs and does not regard such assistance as a part of its process. SAQA makes evaluation results available to third parties only when QHs authorize such collection in writing.

How to apply

Click on Apply for an evaluation, register as a user, and lodge an online application. Always check for possible updated information under Notices above.

The Online Application System contains all the relevant information, including:

A Notice Section where SAQA will always post important alerts;
The current tariffs as approved by the SAQA Board;
Payment per qualification submitted for evaluation;
How payment can be made;
How to compile and submit documents After your online application
What happens with results
Processing time and delay; and
Recognition decisions and the right to appeal.

Applicants also need to take note of the Guidelines for refunds and cancellation.

The SAQA Certificate of Evaluation

The SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (SCoE) indicates the recognition decision taken by SAQA in respect of foreign qualification and the comparability of that qualification with a South African qualification registered on the NQF.

SAQA holds the copyright to the SCoE and it remains the property of SAQA.
SAQA reserves the right to revoke the SCoE if any evidence comes to light that compromises its integrity and validity. The revocation takes place in accordance with the SAQA Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services Revocation Policy.

The SCoE has several security features, as specified below. Therefore, it is important to always insist on seeing the original SCoE and to look for the following:

SAQA also issues an electronic SCoE under certain conditions. Eligible applicants will be informed of this at the time of issue.

Recognition decisions: appeal and revocation

SAQA has a mandate to evaluate foreign qualifications in terms of Section 13(1)(m) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 67 of 2008. The evaluation process includes two phases:

(1) Verification (authenticate the status of institutions and the qualifications offered by them; and investigate the authenticity of qualification documents and the awards made to individuals); and

(2) Comparison of foreign qualifications with South African qualifications, considering the structure and outcomes of the foreign qualifications, to locate them within the South African NQF.

The evaluation process is concluded by one of two decisions; each of which is reached after the verification phase:

Decision A, to recognize a qualification. This decision leads to the comparison phase, which results in the issuing of a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (SCoE ) indicating how the qualification is recognized in terms of a comparable South African qualification registered on the NQF.

Please note that :

° SAQA holds the copyright to the SCoE, which remains the property of SAQA.

° It is illegal to misrepresent a SCoE.

° SAQA reserves the right to revoke the SCoE if any evidence comes to light that compromises its integrity and validity. The revocation takes place in accordance with the SAQA Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services Revocation Policy (2016).

Decision B, to not recognize a qualification. This decision is communicated to the applicant in a letter and the reasons for the decision provided.

Qualification holders can appeal against either Decision A , or Decision B. A two-stage appeal process is in place to resolve appeals. This process is based on the SAQA Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services Appeal Policy (2016), which also outlines the steps to be followed by appellants.

A fee is charged for appeal. This fee is refunded when an appeal is upheld. The current fee is indicated in the Appeal Registration Form

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

04 Jan 2019