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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%
5.0%
0.0%
Aca
demic
tran
scrip
t not s
ubmitt
ed
Act
ual a
war
d not s
ubmitt
ed
Paym
ent n
ot subm
itted
/insu
ffici
ent
Offi
cial
resu
lts n
ot subm
itted
Docu
men
ts in
orig
inal
languag
e not s
ubmitt
ed
Docu
men
tatio
n inco
mple
te a
ltoget
her
Dat
e of b
irth n
ot pro
vided
Req
uired s
ervi
ces/
product
not i
ndicat
ed
Scanned
/faxe
d docu
men
ts s
ubmitt
ed
Docu
men
ts il
legib
le
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 [email protected].
DFQEAS CONTACT DETAILS
SAQA | Postnet Suite 248 | Private Bag X06 | Waterkloof 0145SAQA House | 1067 Arcadia Street | Hatfield | 0083
012 4315070 | [email protected]
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