The South African Council for Educators (SACE) is responsible for registering qualified educators in South Africa. If you’re looking to pursue a teaching career or maintain your professional standing as an educator in the country, registering with SACE is mandatory. But how long does it take to apply for SACE? In this guide, we’ll break down the timeline and requirements for both South African and foreign educators to help you better understand the process.
How Long Does the SACE Application Process Take?
The time it takes to apply for SACE depends on whether you are a South African or a foreign educator.
- For South African Educators: The entire process, from submitting your application to receiving your registration certificate, typically takes six weeks. This timeframe includes postage to and from the SACE office.
- For Foreign Educators: The process is slightly longer and may take up to three months. This extended timeline is due to additional verification requirements for foreign qualifications.
Step-by-Step SACE Application Process
Gather Your Documents
For South African Educators:
Certified copies of your ID or passport.
Certified copies of your qualifications.
Proof of payment of the registration fee (R200.00).
Completed application form.
For Foreign Educators:
Certified copies of your passport.
Certified copies of your foreign qualifications.
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation of your qualifications.
Proof of payment of the registration fee (R400.00).
Completed application form.
Submit Your Application
Applications can be submitted either in person at a SACE office or via post. If you opt for postal submission, make sure to account for the time it takes for your documents to reach the SACE office and for your registration certificate to be mailed back to you.
Pay the Registration Fee
The registration fee is R200.00 for South African educators and R400.00 for foreign educators. Proof of payment must be included in your application.
Wait for Processing
For South African educators, expect the process to take six weeks from the time of submission.
For foreign educators, the process may take up to three months, due to the additional requirement of verifying international qualifications with SAQA.
Receive Your SACE Registration Certificate
Once your application is processed, you will receive your registration certificate via post, allowing you to legally practice as an educator in South Africa.