THE SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

Evaluation of Foreign QualificationsYour Application

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General andFurther Education

& Training Qualifications

Sub-Framework

CONTENTS

Background: SAQA and DFQEAS

Applying for an evaluation

1 Prepare the application

2 Submit the application

Awaiting the outcome

3 Understand what happens next

4 Submit additional information, if required

5 Track progress

Receiving the results

6 Expect results

7 Take action if you disagree

8 Tell us about your experience

Flow diagrams

Prepare and submit your application

Understand what happens at SAQA while you wait

2

3

6

9

5

7

Dear Client

SAQA prepared this booklet:

• To support you in effectively preparing your application for the evaluation of

foreign qualifications, so there are no unnecessary delays; and

• To make clear what happens at SAQA once you have lodged an application

for the evaluation of foreign qualifications.

Your constructive feedback will motivate and help us to improve our service.

What is SAQA?

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is a public entity established through an Act of

Parliament and is based in Pretoria, South Africa. SAQA is the custodian of the South African

National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and is responsible for:

• overseeing the further development and implementation of the NQF;

• coordinating the sub-frameworks for higher education and training, general and further

education and training and occupational and trade education and training; and

• advancing the objectives of the NQF; one of which is to ensure access to, mobility and

progression within, education and training pathways and in work.

What is DFQEAS?

The NQF Act, 67 of 2008, gives SAQA the mandate to, “with respect to foreign qualifications,

provide an evaluation and advisory service consistent with this Act”.

SAQA fulfils this mandate through the Directorate of Foreign Qualifications Evaluations and

Advisory Services (DFQEAS).

The work of DFQEAS helps to clarify the meaning of foreign qualifications for local use and links

those qualifications to NQF levels so that the holders of foreign qualifications can take up work and

study opportunities in South Africa.

Our service promise to you is:

• Professional integrity

• Evaluation without prejudice

• A fair, transparent and efficient process

2

APPLYING FOR AN EVALUATION

You can either complete a paper application form, or complete the form on-line. The on-line

process saves you money, as it saves us administration.

1 Prepare the application

PAPER PROCESS

• Print / download the application form

• Read all the information

• Fill out all the relevant sections

• Ensure that you note the content of the

declaration

• Sign the form

• Request an application form from SAQA, or

download from :www.saqa.org.za

Make sure that handwritten applications are

readable and that contact information is

complete.

ON-LINE PROCESS

• Go to www.saqa.org.za and click on the link

below:

• Register yourself as an account holder

• Follow the process step by step

• Read all the information

• Fill in all relevant sections

• Print the form

• Submit the application on-line

• Ensure that you note the content of the

declaration and sign

You cannot scan and upload qualification

documents in an on-line application, as either

original documents and/or certified copies of

documents are required. A paper application

must still be delivered or posted to SAQA.

Evaluation

of Foreign

Qualifications

Application Form

Online application

for Evaluation of

Foreign

Qualifications

• Prepare the documentation and make the relevant payment in accordance with what you need.

Keep proof of the payment made. Ensure you comply with all the requirements and that your

application pack includes:

• an application form

• qualification documents as outlined

• a copy of the qualification holder's ID / passport

• proof of payment for the services you require

• mention of any special needs you may have

THE GOLDEN RULE IS TO PLAN WELL AND APPLY EARLY3

Breakdown of reasons why applications are found to be incomplete, and therefore

suspended:

Qualifications can often not be evaluated, because they are not national qualifications in a foreign

system, or issued by institutions that are not accredited, or of South African origin. South African

qualifications are only evaluated when the holders need to use them in other countries.

2 Submit the application

POST TO:

SAQA

Postnet Suite 248

Private Bag X06

Waterkloof, 0145

South Africa

Allow for time in the mail. This is not part

of the time that it takes SAQA to process

your application.

DELIVER TO:

SAQA House

1067 Arcadia Street

Hatfield

Pretoria

0083

You will get a receipt with a submission

number. You can also apply on-line at the

SAQA offices. This will save you both time

in the queue and money. Making payment

before coming to SAQA will also save you

time and effort. Current fees are always

available on the SAQA website.4

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

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ual a

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Paym

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itted

/insu

ffici

ent

Offi

cial

resu

lts n

ot subm

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Docu

men

ts in

orig

inal

languag

e not s

ubmitt

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Docu

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ervi

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ed

Scanned

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ubmitt

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Docu

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PREPARE AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Post / deliver to, or

hand in at SAQA

On-line

Paper

From outsideof SAQA

At SAQA

Decide how to apply

Register

Followsteps

Printconsolidated

form

Completefields

Submiton-line

Print /download

form

Readinformation

Completeform

manually

Note declaration& sign form

Followprogresson-line

Makepayment &keep proof

Put togetherqualificationdocuments

Copy IDdocument

Decide where to apply

Readinformation

5

AWAITING THE OUTCOME

Your application is now .

Your application is now in progress.

Evaluators sometimes identify problems later in the process when doing a more in-depth

analysis. Therefore, there is a slight possibility that your file may still be suspended. Again, you

will be notified.

Your application is now complete.

3 Understand what happens next

3.1 SAQA records your application

• We capture your details onto our system and create a paper file.

• You will be notified of the registration via e-mail or SMS and given a reference number and

completion date.

• Use this reference number when you need information which is not already available to you on

our website, in our application material or through our electronic updates.

3.2 SAQA processes your application

• Your application is transferred to the Evaluation unit and screened for completeness and to

ensure that we can evaluate your qualification.

• If further action or information is needed from you or another source, your application will be

suspended (see step 4, page 8).

• If your application is in order, it is allocated to an evaluator for processing.

• After thorough research and analysis, a draft evaluation is created and proof-read.

• Once edited, a final Certificate of Evaluation is printed.

• The Certificate is signed off and prepared for posting or collection as per your need.

3.3 SAQA makes results available

• You will be notified via e-mail or SMS when your results are ready and due for postage /

collection.

• Results will be either in the mail, or available at our front desk, on the next business day after

completion.

• For posted certificates, a track and trace number is available a few days later (upon request

only).

• We need your reference number and ID document, passport or driver's licence when you, or

someone else (with written permission from you), collect your results.

active

6

UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS AT SAQA WHILE YOU WAIT

Are we nowable to

evaluate?

NO YES

Externalinformation

sources

You areinformed of

this outcome

Registration /reactivation

Receipt andacknowledgement,

if delivered Your

application- deliveredor posted

Quality checks & sign-off

You start theprocess here

Screening

Does your applicationmeet all the

requirements?

NO YES

Do we have all theinformation toevaluate yourqualification?

YES NO

Evaluation

Administration

Certificate ofEvaluation

- collected orposted

7

4 Submit additional information, if we find your application to be

incomplete

• If your application does not include the required payment, documents or information, it will be

suspended.

• You will be informed of the suspension via e-mail or SMS.

• You will also receive a letter explaining the reason for the suspension.

• Read the letter very carefully to find out what further action you need to take.

• Because of the additional administration, we charge a fee to reactivate a suspended file.

• When a suspended file is reactivated, the processing time that you requested at the outset

begins from day one.

5 Track progress

• If you applied electronically, you can sign on and follow the progress of your application on-

line.

• SAQA will also communicate via SMS and e-mail to inform you of important developments

regarding your application, as indicated elsewhere in this booklet.

Follow the instructions on the application form carefully to avoid delays, further costs and

frustration.

Sometimes an application has to be suspended because we need to get more information

about the institution or qualification. This delay is not your fault; nor is it ours. No reactivation fee

is required in this case, but SAQA has no control over time taken for a response from a third

party to reach us. We do, however, process the application as quickly as possible once we have

received a response.

Take care to read and understand the application materials. These should guide your

expectations.

8

RECEIVING THE RESULTS

Review of the evaluation relates to a difference of opinion regarding the outcome, not to a mistake.

If we made any mistake, we will naturally correct that at no extra charge.

6 Expect results as outlined in 3.3

7 Take action if you disagree

• The evaluation outcome is based on professional interpretation of the available information.

• If you disagree with the outcome, you may request a review within six months of receipt of your

certificate.

• Because of the additional work, we charge a fee to review the evaluation. If the review renders

an upgrade, your money will be refunded in full.

• Feedback on the outcome of the review is normally provided within 10 working days, but may

take longer due to consultation processes.

8 Tell us about your experience

• Were you happy with our service?

• How can we improve?

• Did the SAQA certificate help you to access study or work opportunities? Share the information

with us.

9

Help us to combat fraud

SAQA has a zero tolerance approach towards fraudulent

activity and corruption.

Please avoid behaviour aimed at compromising SAQA staff

or processes.

Please report irregular behaviour that you may be aware of

to SAQA on 086 010 3188 or SAQAinfo@saqa.org.za.

DFQEAS CONTACT DETAILS

SAQA | Postnet Suite 248 | Private Bag X06 | Waterkloof 0145SAQA House | 1067 Arcadia Street | Hatfield | 0083

012 4315070 | dfqeas@saqa.org.za

Office hours

Mondays to Wednesdays, and Fridays 8:30 – 16:30 | Thursdays 09:00 – 16:30

(Closed on weekends, official public holidays and between Christmas and New Year's day)

Visit the website for up to date information about the foreignqualifications evaluation and advisory service, as well as

to access our on-line application and tracking systemwww.saqa.org.za