South Africa · Africa
South African Degree Attestation
Full attestation of university degrees and diplomas including institutional verification, SAQA evaluation coordination, notarization, DIRCO authentication, and UAE embassy legalization.
Complete attestation of South African university degrees and diplomas for UAE employment and professional licensing. We coordinate SAQA verification, DIRCO authentication, and MOFA attestation.
South African degree attestation for the UAE requires verification by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), followed by DIRCO authentication, UAE Embassy legalisation, and MOFA attestation. This multi-authority chain ensures your qualification is recognised by UAE employers, licensing bodies, and government agencies.
Green Apple Attest manages this process from start to finish. We work with SAQA to obtain the evaluation certificate that confirms your qualification is legitimate and accredited. We then route your degree through each subsequent stage without gaps or delays, keeping you informed at every step.
Whether you hold a degree from Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, UNISA, or any other South African institution, our team knows the specific requirements for each university format. We also handle diplomas from Universities of Technology and professional qualifications from bodies such as SAICA, ECSA, and HPCSA.
Documents required
- 01 Original degree certificate or diploma
- 02 SAQA evaluation certificate (or we can arrange this for you)
- 03 Academic transcript from the issuing university
- 04 Clear colour copy of your South African ID or passport
- 05 Clear colour copy of UAE visa or Emirates ID (if applicable)
- 06 Letter from UAE employer or licensing body stating the purpose of attestation (recommended)
Special requirements
- § SAQA evaluation certificate is required for most UAE professional licensing applications.
- § Professional qualifications may require additional verification from the relevant South African professional body.
How it works
- 01 Submit your degree and supporting documents for review and verification.
- 02 We obtain or verify your SAQA evaluation certificate to confirm qualification accreditation.
- 03 The degree is notarised and submitted to DIRCO for authentication in Pretoria.
- 04 UAE Embassy legalisation is completed in South Africa.
- 05 Final MOFA attestation is processed in the UAE, and documents are delivered to you.
Insider tips
Frequently asked questions
Many UAE employers and licensing bodies require a SAQA evaluation to confirm your qualification is from an accredited institution. Even when not strictly required for attestation, we recommend it as it strengthens your application. We can arrange the SAQA evaluation as part of our service.
Yes. UNISA degrees are fully recognised and can be attested through the standard DIRCO process. The key requirement is that UNISA is accredited by SAQA, which it is. The same applies to qualifications from other accredited distance learning institutions.
If you already have your SAQA evaluation, the attestation chain takes approximately 15 to 20 working days. If SAQA evaluation is also needed, add 15 to 20 working days for that step. We recommend starting at least six weeks before your UAE deadline.
Attestation confirms the document is genuine. Recognition of the qualification itself depends on the specific UAE licensing body. For example, the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) and HAAD maintain their own lists of recognised institutions. We can advise on likely acceptance based on your institution and field.
Other South Africa services
DIRCO Full Authentication
Complete processing through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, including prior notarization and High Court verification, for all personal and educational documents.
DHA Certificate Authentication
End-to-end authentication of Department of Home Affairs certificates (birth, marriage, death) including request for unabridged versions, notarization, DIRCO processing, and UAE attestation.
SAPS Clearance Express
Priority processing of South African Police Service clearance certificates through the complete authentication chain with expedited DIRCO submission to preserve validity for UAE visa applications.
CIPC Corporate Document Service
Authentication of Companies and Intellectual Property Commission documents including company registration certificates, memoranda of incorporation, and director resolutions for UAE business setup.
Tell us what you're working toward. We'll map every stamp.
Visa, job, university, company formation — share the objective and we'll return a full attestation plan with timelines and fees within one business day.