Letters of Good Standing Apostille

South African healthcare professionals emigrating, locuming, or moving to a foreign country need a Letter of Good Standing from their specific regulatory council:

• HPCSA — doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, audiologists, speech therapists, psychologists, and other allied health professionals
• SAPC — pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
• SANC — nurses, midwives, and nursing auxiliaries

How it works (every council, same shape)

1. Application to your council — you request the Letter of Good Standing directly from HPCSA, SAPC or SANC. We can guide you through the application form and required documents.
2. Council issues the original letter — typical turnaround 5–15 working days depending on the council and time of year.
3. DIRCO Apostille — for Hague Convention destinations (UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany etc.) — R1,650, ~1 week
4. OR Embassy Attestation — for non-Hague destinations (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait) — R3,150 full chain
5. Translation if required — sworn translation if your destination regulator requires it (typical for UAE, Saudi, Qatar)
6. Courier delivery — to your destination council or your home address

Where the letter is most commonly required

• UK NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) — requires SANC Letter of Good Standing, apostilled
• UK GMC (General Medical Council) — requires HPCSA Letter of Good Standing, apostilled
• Australia AHPRA — requires HPCSA, SAPC or SANC letter (depending on profession), apostilled
• Canada provincial regulatory colleges (CMA, CNO etc.) — apostilled letter
• Saudi Arabia SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialities) — embassy attestation route
• UAE DHA, MOH and HAAD — embassy attestation route
• Qatar QCHP — embassy attestation route
• New Zealand regulatory boards — apostilled letter

Pricing for Letters of Good Standing Apostille

Where these letters are required

We've handled Letters of Good Standing for: NHS Trust nurses, Australian state-hospital doctors, Saudi Aramco-linked specialists, UAE private hospital pharmacists, and Canadian provincial-college nursing applicants.

Related services

• Letters of Good Standing — overview
• HPCSA Letter of Good Standing
• SAPC Letter of Good Standing
• SANC Letter of Good Standing
• All apostille services
• DIRCO Apostille
• Embassy Attestation (UAE, Saudi, Qatar)
• Police Clearance Certificate Apostille
• Degree Apostille

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Letter of Good Standing?

An official letter issued by your South African professional council (HPCSA, SAPC, or SANC) confirming you are currently registered, that your registration is in good standing, and that there are no pending or finalised disciplinary findings against you. Required by foreign regulators before they will register you.

Which council issues my Letter of Good Standing?

HPCSA for doctors and most allied health professionals. SAPC for pharmacists. SANC for nurses and midwives. If you're not sure which council you're registered with, check your registration certificate or contact the relevant council.

How long does the whole process take?

5-15 working days for the council to issue the original letter, plus ~1 week for DIRCO apostille (Hague countries) or 2-4 weeks for embassy attestation (non-Hague). Total: 3-8 weeks depending on destination.

How much does Letter of Good Standing apostille cost?

DIRCO Apostille: R1,650 (Hague Convention countries — UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, EU member states). Embassy Attestation: R3,150 (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, etc.).

Can you apply to HPCSA / SAPC / SANC on my behalf?

Yes — on a per-case basis. The council ultimately requires you to provide your registration details, but we can help with the form, required attachments and submission. Contact us via WhatsApp for council application support.