Thanks to an increasingly globalised and borderless world, a growing number of South Africans are opting to pursue teaching opportunities abroad, in countries such as China, Vietnam and South Korea. For those considering this career path, it’s very important to know about TEFL Certificate legalisation in South Africa, as once you have secured your dream TEFL job in China or South Korea, the next step will be to obtain the necessary documents for your working or student visa.
A TEFL certificate is the internationally recognised professional credential that proves a holder is qualified to teach English as a foreign language. A TEFL certificate is the key to a career teaching English to non-native speakers abroad. Legalisation is a process that officially confirms the authenticity of a TEFL certificate so you can work in a foreign country.
If you’re just starting out in TEFL and foreign employment, you’ll probably have to deal with a lot of overwhelming information, especially about visa requirements. You’ll probably come across terms like apostille, notarisation, TEFL Certificate legalisation at DIRCO and authentication. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive beginner’s guide to legalising your TEFL documents, covering everything from understanding TEFL Certificate legalisation in South Africa and why it’s important to choosing a reliable service provider and avoiding common mistakes.
The TEFL (stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate is a qualification which allows you to teach English as a foreign language abroad or online. It can be considered similar to a teaching degree, except that it is a short, intensive course. Regardless of which country you’d like to teach in, TEFL certification will either be required by law or preferred by employers in order to qualify for TEFL jobs.
In South Africa, TEFL certificates can be obtained in two ways: by attending in-class instruction or by using online services. On completion of the courses, a TEFL certificate will be issued to you in digital PDF format. This certificate can then be downloaded and printed. A quick internet search will provide a significant number of educational institutions and private companies offering their services. It is important to check whether the TEFL certificate can be used abroad before paying fees and taking the course.
A Simple Explanation of TEFL Certificate legalisation South Africa
Your TEFL certificate must undergo authentication before you can present it in support of a visa or work permit application. This process is known by various terms: legalisation, attestation, notarisation, apostille or verification. These terms vary from country to country, but all refer to the same concept: the purpose of legalisation is to verify the genuine nature of your documents.
In South Africa, the TEFL Certificate legalisation process involves several stages of notarisation and apostille from the relevant authorities. This is to ensure the officials in your destination country can easily verify the document’s validity, as they have seen the original government seals applied directly to it.
How is TEFL Certificate legalised in South Africa?
The certification process is comprised of two primary steps. Firstly, the legalisation process requires the hard-copy to be authenticated, so the TELF certificate must be printed and notarised by a Notary Public. Following this, the notarised document must be submitted to the High Court for apostille. Please note that this is a simplified overview of the fundamental steps of TEFL Certificate legalisation in South Africa, which must be completed in this specific order. It is essential to be aware of various considerations to ensure your document meets the criteria set by each office you interact with.
For instance, you will need to verify that your chosen notary is within the relevant jurisdiction and has their signature on their database. Otherwise, there will be a delay whilst this is obtained, verified, and then re-processed. You will also need to ensure that the certification contains all the correct information in order to be recognised and have the Apostille applied.
While it is possible to complete these steps independently, it is typically more efficient and cost-effective to use the services of an authentication and legalisation agency, which can efficiently handle the necessary steps and subsequently return the certificate to you.
Global Apostille, TEFL Certificate legalisation service in South Africa
For over a decade, our agency has specialised in the authentication and legalisation of South African documents for use in foreign countries. We are well-versed in the legalisation process for various teaching credentials, including TEFL certificates.
Our experienced staff at the Pretoria office can provide you with a comprehensive guide if you require a TEFL Certificate legalisation in South Africa. Our approach is distinct from that of our local competitors. Our primary objective is to deliver the most efficient, professional and convenient service. For more information on our services, please visit our website or contact us directly. Tel: 012 348 3134 | Mobile: 081 347 6060 | Email: info@apostillelegalisation.co.za
FAQs about TEFL Certificate legalisation South Africa
- How to apostille a TEFL certificate in South Africa?
The legalisation process requires a hard copy to be authenticated. Therefore, the TELF certificate must be printed and notarised by a notary public. The notarised document must then be submitted to the High Court for apostille.
- Does a TEFL certificate expire?
TEFL certificates are for life and they don’t expire You don’t have to renew them. While it’s a good idea to review your course materials from time to time, you won’t need to retake the training course.
- Can I teach without a TEFL certificate?
Yes and No. This question depends largely on the country you want to teach in and the company you’re hoping to get hired by. For example, in order to teach English in China, the government requires prospective teachers to have a four-year degree and a TEFL certification. Even companies that hire exclusively for online in China teaching generally require TEFL certification.
- Can I teach English abroad without any teaching experience?
Although some employers insist on prior experience, due to a high demand in many countries there is no shortage of positions for first time teachers. By completing a TEFL course before going overseas you will learn all the skills and knowledge you need to get started as an ESL teacher
- What is an Apostille certificate?
An Apostille certificate is an official document that authenticates or legalises documents in South Africa for use in foreign countries. It is issued by either the Legalisation Section at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the Registrar of the High Court of South Africa.
6. How long does it take to get TEFL certificates Apostilled?
It will take approximately 2–3 days to apostill your documents once we have received them.
