As the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reopens its walk-in apostille service on Monday 11 March 2024, an important change is afoot: Ms Michelle Aspeling, a pillar of the DIRCO Legalisation Section who has been certifying South African documents for international recognition, is leaving the Legalisation Section. Michelle Aspeling’s signature has had a huge impact on the lives of many South Africans, influencing countless international endeavours such as enabling international trade, studying abroad and even navigating government procedures. The purpose of this art ..read more

Walk in services at the Legalisation Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have now resumed after almost two years of pandemic-related closures. From Monday 11 March 2024, individuals who wish to apply for an Apostille certificate for their documents issued by South Africa will be able to access the service directly at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at the OR Tambo Building, Pretoria. This is exciting news for those who need to get their documents apostilled. Walk-in access to apostille services at the Department of Int ..read more

When seeking a visa to Spain, South Africans must submit a number of documents and supporting materials for the visa application. One of these essential documents is the HPCSA Medical Certificate, which plays a crucial role in the Spain visa application process. This post will shed light on everything you need to know about the HPCSA medical certificate for Spain visa application in South Africa because regardless of the purpose of your stay, whether it’s for a visit, to study or to work and reside permanently in Spain, a good starting point is always to research the type of documents you’ll n ..read more

In recent years, Poland has emerged as an attractive destination for South African students seeking higher education opportunities. With its world-class universities, excellent living conditions and affordable education, Poland has much to offer aspiring South African students. However, as with any study abroad destination, a Polish student visa is one of several hurdles that South African students must overcome before embarking on their educational journey in Poland. In this article, we take a look at the latest Polish student visa requirements and provide you with a comprehensive Poland stud ..read more

This complete guide to getting a degree certificate apostille in South Africa will walk you through the steps of authenticating your degree certificate for international use, as legalising educational qualifications for international use is a crucial step for South Africans wishing to pursue a professional career overseas. Whether it’s a matric certificate, bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s honours degree, master’s degree, doctorate, or academic transcript, ensuring that your hard-earned qualifications are valid abroad is essential for your acceptance. Enter the apostille – a term you may not be ..read more

The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Poland is the diplomatic mission of South Africa in the Republic of Poland. The South African Embassy in Poland provides consular services such as visa and passport services, emergency assistance, cultural exchange programs, and business opportunities to South African individuals living in or visiting Poland. The South African diplomatic mission is headed by HE, Ms. N. J Mngomezulu, and as the official representation of the Republic of South Africa in Poland, the embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two coun ..read more

As a South African document legalisation and sworn translation service based in Pretoria, we receive one particular question on an almost daily basis: “Does an apostille need to be translated for Spanish visa?” as we assist individuals with various vital records and other documents for Spanish Visa Applications in Pretoria, Johannesburg or Cape Town, and the answer is almost always “yes, you do” – and here we explain why. In this article, we aim to address the common query: Does an apostille need to be translated for Spanish visa? It helps to better understand what the apostille certificate is ..read more

 In Summary Public documents with apostille certificates issued by a competent authority in the countries that are part of the Apostille Convention will be accepted by Canadian courts without the need for legalization. Private documents, such as powers of attorney from individuals or companies, still need to be notarized to become public documents. The apostille authority will verify the notary’s credentials, and then the document can be used in the destination country. Canadian diplomatic missions in the countries that are part of the Apostille Convention will no longer provide legaliza ..read more

Embarking on opportunities commences with trust. Consider possessing a key validating your hard-earned qualifications, unlocking doors to careers, education, and recognition. This powerful key is the SAQA verification Letter, affirming and elevating your educational achievements. However, if you ponder how this simple letter can transform into your passport to credibility and myriad opportunities in the qualifications realm, then this article aims to furnish comprehensive insights into what is the SAQA verification letter? This document delves into its purpose, importance, contents, and guidan ..read more

In South Africa’s educational realm, SAQA and NQF are two critical pillars, often mentioned interchangeably but serving distinct roles like two sides of a coin. SAQA, the South African Qualifications Authority, stands as the guiding hand, setting standards, ensuring quality, and regulating qualifications.  On the flip side, the NQF, or National Qualifications Framework, acts as the organised structure, classifying qualifications into levels and simplifying their comparison and recognition. Understanding the differences between SAQA and NQF unravels the distinct roles that each plays in sh ..read more