Overview
A SAQA apostille is needed when you must prove the level and standing of a South African qualification abroad. SAQA — the South African Qualifications Authority — issues a certificate of evaluation that benchmarks your qualification against the National Qualifications Framework. Once you hold that certificate, an apostille makes it valid in the 125+ member states of the Hague Apostille Convention.
SAQA evaluations are used for skilled-migration visas, professional registration, and recognition of South African qualifications by foreign universities and employers. The same evaluation route is also used in reverse — to recognise foreign qualifications inside South Africa — although for international use it is the SAQA certificate that gets apostilled.
Quick Facts
- Apostille Type: DIRCO (or High Court)
- Processing Time: ~1 week (apostille); add 4-8 weeks for SAQA
- Document Required: SAQA certificate of evaluation
- Evaluation Body: SAQA (higher-education qualifications)
Get Your SAQA Certificate Apostilled — From R1,650
DIRCO Apostille: R1,650 per document (~1 week). SAQA evaluation R2,950 if required. WhatsApp us for a free quote.
What is a SAQA Evaluation?
A SAQA evaluation, formally a certificate of evaluation, is SAQA's assessment of where a qualification sits on the South African National Qualifications Framework. It states the level and the comparable South African qualification, which gives foreign institutions a trusted benchmark for your degree, diploma or professional qualification.
When You Need a SAQA Evaluation
Whether you need a SAQA evaluation depends on the destination or employer. Some foreign universities, professional registration bodies and immigration authorities specifically request a SAQA certificate of evaluation. Others accept the qualification directly once it is apostilled. If you are unsure, send us your admission or visa checklist and we will confirm whether a SAQA evaluation is required before apostille.
SAQA vs Umalusi
SAQA evaluates higher-education qualifications — degrees and diplomas. Umalusi verifies school-leaving qualifications — the matric / National Senior Certificate. If you are apostilling a matric certificate instead, see our matric certificate apostille guide. For a university qualification, see our degree apostille guide.
The Process
Apply for a SAQA Evaluation
We apply for your SAQA evaluation / certificate of evaluation (R2,950). This step takes around 4-8 weeks.
Receive the SAQA Certificate
Once the evaluation is complete, you receive the SAQA certificate of evaluation, which is the document that gets apostilled.
Choose DIRCO or High Court
Apostille via DIRCO (R1,650, ~1 week) or the High Court (R1,650, 1-3 working days). Both carry identical legal validity.
Submit for Apostille
Your SAQA certificate is submitted to DIRCO in Pretoria, or to the High Court, for the apostille certificate to be attached.
Collection & Delivery
Once apostilled, we collect your document and courier it to you (R250 locally, R750-R1,100 internationally).
Common Uses
- Skilled-migration visas - Points-based immigration systems that benchmark your qualification level
- Professional registration - Foreign professional bodies confirming your qualification standing
- University admissions - Postgraduate entry where a SAQA benchmark is requested
- Employment abroad - Employers verifying the level of your South African qualification
- Recognition of foreign qualifications - The SAQA evaluation route also benchmarks overseas qualifications for use in South Africa
- Licensing and trades - Regulated occupations that require an evaluated, apostilled qualification
Complete Cost Breakdown
Understanding the full cost helps you budget for both the SAQA evaluation and the apostille. Here is a detailed breakdown of what to expect:
| Service | Cost (ZAR) | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAQA Evaluation | R2,950 | 4-8 weeks | Certificate of evaluation benchmarking your qualification |
| DIRCO Apostille | R1,650 per document | ~1 week | Standard processing via Department of International Relations |
| High Court Apostille | R1,650 per document | 1-3 working days | Option — same legal validity as DIRCO |
| Sworn Translation | R1,000 per page | Varies | Only for non-English-speaking destinations |
| Local Courier | R250 | 1-2 business days | Within South Africa |
| International Courier (Zones 1-4) | R750-R1,100 | 3-14 business days | Depending on destination zone |
Total Cost Estimate
A typical qualification that needs both a SAQA evaluation and a DIRCO apostille comes to approximately:
- SAQA evaluation + DIRCO apostille: R2,950 SAQA + R1,650 apostille = approximately R4,600 (plus courier)
- Apostille only (SAQA evaluation already held): R1,650 via DIRCO or the High Court (plus courier)
- Urgent route: Choose the High Court for the apostille step (1-3 working days) once your SAQA certificate is in hand
Our recommendation: The SAQA evaluation is the longest step at 4-8 weeks, so start it as early as possible. Confirm with your destination whether a SAQA evaluation is required before you begin. Contact us for a personalised quote based on your qualification and destination.
Why Use a Professional Apostille Service
You can apply to SAQA and submit to DIRCO or the High Court yourself, but the SAQA evaluation is detail-heavy and a rejected application can cost you weeks. Here is why most clients use us:
Complete SAQA Applications
SAQA applications need the right supporting documents in the right format. We prepare and submit the application correctly so it is not returned for missing or incorrectly certified documents.
One Point of Contact
We deal with SAQA, DIRCO or the High Court, the courier, and any sworn translator on your behalf, so you are not coordinating several offices while planning a move.
Track Record and Accountability
Easy Services Group has processed over 1,000 documents with a 99.8% first-time acceptance rate, serving clients in 120+ countries from our Johannesburg base.
Ready to get started? Get a free quote for your SAQA apostille, or WhatsApp us for immediate assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SAQA evaluation?
SAQA is the South African Qualifications Authority. A SAQA evaluation, also called a certificate of evaluation, benchmarks a qualification against the South African National Qualifications Framework. It is used to confirm the level and standing of a South African qualification abroad, or of a foreign qualification in South Africa. A SAQA evaluation costs R2,950 and takes 4-8 weeks.
How much does it cost to apostille a SAQA certificate in South Africa?
An apostille on a SAQA certificate of evaluation costs R1,650 per document via DIRCO (~1 week) or R1,650 via the High Court (1-3 working days). The SAQA evaluation itself, if you do not already have one, costs R2,950 and takes 4-8 weeks. Courier is R250 locally or R750-R1,100 internationally. See our full apostille cost guide.
Do I need a SAQA evaluation for my degree?
It depends on the destination or employer. Some foreign universities, professional bodies and immigration authorities ask for a SAQA evaluation to benchmark your South African qualification, while others accept the degree directly with an apostille. Send us your requirement checklist and we will confirm whether a SAQA evaluation is needed before apostille.
How long does the SAQA process take?
A SAQA evaluation typically takes 4-8 weeks. After you receive the SAQA certificate, the apostille step takes about 1 week via DIRCO or 1-3 working days via the High Court. End to end, allow roughly 6-10 weeks for a SAQA evaluation plus apostille.
What is the difference between SAQA and Umalusi?
SAQA, the South African Qualifications Authority, evaluates higher-education qualifications such as degrees and diplomas. Umalusi verifies school-leaving qualifications such as the matric / National Senior Certificate. For a university qualification you use SAQA (R2,950); for a matric certificate you use Umalusi (R1,500).
Will a SAQA apostille be accepted in every country?
An apostille is valid in the 125+ member states of the Hague Apostille Convention, including the UK, USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, and recent members such as China, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. For the few non-Hague countries such as the UAE and Qatar, you need embassy attestation instead, which we also handle.
Do I need a sworn translation of my SAQA certificate?
Only if your destination country does not accept English documents. Non-English-speaking countries usually require a sworn translation of an apostilled SAQA certificate, which costs R1,000 per page. We can arrange accredited sworn translations alongside the apostille.
Do you offer nationwide SAQA apostille service?
Yes! While we're based in Johannesburg, we serve clients throughout South Africa. You can submit your qualifications to us, and we handle the entire process, including the SAQA evaluation and apostille, then courier the documents back to you.