Laws and regulations in each country govern the recognition and registration of qualifications. Here, you will find guidance on applying to SAQA for evaluation of foreign qualifications. A qualification’s registration or review cycle should not be confused with an expiry date for the qualification a person has already earned.
How long is the waiting period to verify SAQA qualifications?
The waiting period depends on the service, the completeness of your application and verification with the issuing institution. Follow SAQA’s current service guidance and check your application status rather than relying on one fixed turnaround for every application.
Introduction:
If you are a new applicant for evaluation of foreign qualifications, register on SAQA’s current online application system using your own contact details. New applications use the system introduced on 4 February 2025. Follow its current instructions and fee conditions before submitting.
Online application procedure
Visit the official SAQA application system for evaluation of foreign qualifications. The qualification holder must lodge the application; this is not a service to be submitted through an unrelated third-party account.
- Register or log in using your own contact details.
- Select the relevant foreign qualification evaluation application.
- Complete the fields requested by the current system.
- Upload the documents requested for your qualifications and country.
- Complete the required declarations and consent.
- Review the information and submit using the portal’s instructions.
Keep your application reference and payment confirmation safe. Use the reference and payment instructions shown in your application; starting an application is not itself proof that you have paid.
- Use the application reference supplied by the current system.
- Read the applicable tariff and payment conditions before paying.
- Follow the payment options shown in your application and keep your payment confirmation.
SAQA checks whether an application meets its requirements and verifies the qualifications with the relevant sources. Submit the documents and consent requested by the current system. Incomplete or non-compliant applications must be corrected within the time allowed; do not assume that fees will be refunded.
- The application information requested by the online system.
- The payment confirmation and correct reference.
- The qualification documents on the current checklist.
- The identity documents requested for the qualification holder.
- The required consent and declarations.
Complete the current online submission process and check your account for outstanding requirements or messages from SAQA. Do not assume that every online application must also be posted as a paper application.
SAQA requirements:
The following are the requirements for SAQA
- Application details: complete the fields requested by SAQA’s current system.
- Identity: provide the valid identity documents requested in the checklist.
- Payment: use the current service tariff and the application’s payment reference.
- Consent: complete the declarations and consent required from the qualification holder.
- Qualification documents: use the current checklist for the issuing country and qualification. Follow any request to correct non-compliance within the allowed period; do not rely on old blanket paper-submission or refund instructions.
Please note that SAQA does not need the following:
The qualifications obtained outside of particular countries systems of education
South African Qualifications
Professional designations or membership
Certificates based on short courses. Applicants should note that the seminars or workshops, in-service training does not form part of the requirements to obtain a qualification. Therefore, they are not necessary as stipulated.
SAQA fees
Fees depend on the service and the number of qualifications submitted. SAQA’s 2026/27 tariff lists R2,361 for evaluating the first foreign qualification and R988 for each additional qualification submitted with it. Other services have separate charges. Use the tariff for your application period and read the non-refundable-fee conditions before paying.
Contact details:
Applicants can use the contact details below regarding the enquiries of the application process.
Tel: 012 431 5070
Fax: 012 431 5146
Email address: dfqeas@saqa.org.za
Additional contacts:
Telephone number: 0860 111673
Email address: customercare@saqa.org.za
Postal address: Postnet Suite 248
Private bag X06
Waterkloof, 0083
Physical Address: SAQA House
1067 Arcadia Street
Hatfield, 0083