Quick Answer: SAQA Evaluation Requirements for Visa
Foreign qualifications used in a South African visa application normally have to be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority, which assesses what the qualification compares to within the South African framework.
This is a separate process with its own timeline, and on work routes it is commonly a prerequisite rather than a supporting document. Start it before you need it, not once an application is under way. Requirements.co.za is an independent information website. It is not SAQA, a professional council, a government department or an immigration practitioner, and nothing here is immigration or legal advice.
Who This Requirement Applies To
This guide is for applicants relying on qualifications obtained outside South Africa, principally on work and residence routes.
For the routes themselves, see Work Visa Requirements South Africa.
Eligibility Requirements
The evaluation assesses the qualification, so its quality and completeness matter.
Applicant type
- Recognised awarding institution. The qualification must come from an institution recognised in its own country.
- Complete documentation. Certificates and full transcripts, not summaries.
- Verification with the issuing institution. Which is normally part of the process and is where delays arise.
- Translation. Certified translation where documents are not in an accepted language.
- Which qualifications. Normally those relied on for the application, rather than everything you hold.
Documents You May Need
Incomplete submissions are the main cause of delay, since verification cannot start without them.
Required proof
- Certified copies of qualification certificates.
- Full academic transcripts or records.
- Identity document or passport.
- Certified translations where required.
- Completed application and proof of payment.
Steps to Apply or Prepare
Apply as early as possible, since verification with a foreign institution is outside anyone local control and can take months.
Submit complete documentation, including transcripts rather than certificates alone.
Keep the evaluation certificate once issued, and check whether the receiving authority requires it to be recent.
Costs, Processing Times and Validity
SAQA charges a fee, and translation carries its own cost. Timelines depend heavily on how quickly the awarding institution responds to verification, which can extend the process considerably beyond any published estimate.
Common Mistakes and Delays
Common mistake
- Starting evaluation only after receiving a job offer.
- Submitting certificates without transcripts.
- Assuming an apostille or notarisation substitutes for evaluation.
- Not allowing for verification delays at the foreign institution.
- Evaluating a qualification other than the one the application relies on.
Where to Confirm Official Requirements
Confirm the current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs, and confirm evaluation or registration requirements with SAQA and the relevant professional body. The Official Requirements Sources South Africa page links to the responsible bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need SAQA evaluation for a visa?
Foreign qualifications relied on for work and residence routes normally require evaluation. Confirm whether it applies to your route.
How long does it take?
It depends substantially on how quickly the awarding institution responds to verification. Treat it as months rather than weeks and start early.
Is legalisation the same as evaluation?
No. Legalisation confirms a document provenance. Evaluation assesses what the qualification compares to in South Africa. Both may be required.
Which qualifications should I evaluate?
Normally those the application relies on. Evaluating unnecessary qualifications adds cost and time.
Where can I confirm the requirement?
Confirm with SAQA and with the Department of Home Affairs.