Apostille Services for Educational and Medical Documents in South Africa



When you need to use your South African qualifications or professional documents abroad, they must be authenticated and legalised through a process known as apostille certification. At Immigration Assist, we manage the entire process from start to finish, ensuring your documents are accepted by foreign authorities quickly and efficiently.

Apostille for Educational Documents

The process for legalising educational documents depends on the type of qualification.

Degree or Diploma Certificates
Before a degree or diploma can be apostilled by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), it must first be verified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). SAQA confirms the authenticity of the qualification directly with the issuing institution. Once verified, the document is submitted to DIRCO for apostille certification.

Matric Certificates
Matric certificates must be verified by either the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Umalusi, the national council responsible for school qualifications. After verification, the certificate is submitted to DIRCO for apostille.

These verification stages can take several weeks. DIRCO’s standard processing time for apostilles is up to two months. Immigration Assist offers a priority DIRCO service, completing this step in as little as one week.

For more information, visit our Apostilles and Legalisation of Documents page.

Apostille for Medical Documents

Medical professionals who intend to work abroad must have their registration or qualifications verified before apostille. In South Africa, this is done by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Once verified, the documents are submitted to DIRCO for apostille or authentication.

This process ensures that your medical qualifications are recognised by foreign authorities, whether you are applying for registration with a medical council or submitting credentials for employment.

Why Use Immigration Assist

Legalising educational or medical documents in South Africa can be time-consuming and complex. Each institution and government department has its own verification process, and delays are common. DIRCO alone can take up to eight weeks to issue an apostille.

Immigration Assist has established relationships with these authorities and offers a one-week DIRCO service. We manage every stage of the process, including verification by SAQA, Umalusi, the Department of Education, or HPCSA, and final submission to DIRCO.

We also assist with related services such as unabridged birth certificates, vault copies, and police clearances, which are often required alongside educational or medical documents for visa or immigration purposes.

Get Started

If you are emigrating, applying for overseas registration, or submitting your qualifications abroad, let Immigration Assist manage the entire process on your behalf.

Visit our contact page or email us at info@emigrationassist.co.za to begin your document legalisation today. You can also call or WhatsApp Dean directly at +27 82 973 0454.

Our team will ensure your paperwork is processed quickly, correctly, and with minimal effort on your part.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UK Visa Trends: What South Africans Moving to the UK Need to Know in 2025

If you're a South African planning to study, work, or reunite with family in the UK, it's crucial to understand the significant changes in visa policies that have taken effect in 2025. Here's a comprehensive overview tailored for our community: 📉 Overall Decline in UK Visa Applications UK visa applications have seen a substantial drop, with a 37% decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year. This decline is primarily due to stricter immigration rules implemented by the UK government, affecting various visa categories including skilled workers, students, and family reunification.   ---   🎓 Impact on International Students International students have been significantly affected by these policy change:   Dependants Restriction As of January 2024, most international students are no longer allowed to bring family members to the UK, except for those enrolled in postgraduate research programs or government-sponsored scholarship.   Decrease in Stu...
Read more

🎓 Why the UK Should Be Welcoming More International Students – And What It Means for South Africans

Image
If you’re a South African student thinking about studying in the UK—or a parent supporting one—you may have noticed that the immigration landscape is shifting. Recently, debates within the UK government have highlighted tensions around international student policies. Let’s break it down and explore why this matters to us in the South African community.   🇬🇧 The UK’s Internal Immigration Tug-of-War There’s a growing divide in the UK government about how to handle immigration, particularly when it comes to international students. Some politicians are pushing for tighter restrictions, especially on students bringing dependants. But others—including universities and economists—argue that these students are a vital asset to the UK.   Why? Because international students contribute billions to the UK economy each year. In fact, the higher education sector has become one of the country's strongest "exports." These students not only pay tuition but also rent homes, ...
Read more

Preparing for the Big Move: What South Africans Should Know Before Starting Life in the UK

Image
  A Guide for South Africans Moving to the UK: What to Expect and How to Prepare Moving to a new country is exciting but can be a terrifying experience, especially when it involves significant changes like relocating from South Africa to the United Kingdom. Based on the experiences of fellow South Africans who have made this transition, here are some key tips and advice to help with a smooth transition. 1. Get Your Documents in Order Before leaving South Africa, ensure that all your important documents are up to date: Driver’s License: Make sure your South African driver’s license is valid so you can exchange it for a UK one as soon as possible. This will make your life much easier when you need to drive in the UK. Police Clearance Certificate: Obtain a South African police clearance certificate before you leave. It’s much easier to get this done while you’re still in the country. Banking Matters: If you plan to keep your South Af...
Read more