“They Sent Me Back from the Embassy…”
A client once told us she’d waited three hours in a consulate queue, only to be told her documents were missing the apostille. Her job offer abroad was on the line—and the embassy couldn’t accept her South African birth certificate as it was. She had no idea what an apostille even was.
It’s a story we hear all the time.
At Global Visa Management, we believe no one should lose out on a job, visa, or study opportunity because of confusing paperwork. That’s why we make the apostille and attestation process straightforward, fast, and fully managed.
An apostille certificate is a special stamp or certificate attached to your South African document that makes it legally valid for use in other countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on your document is authentic—basically, it tells the receiving country, “This document is legit.”
The South African government issues apostilles through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the High Court, depending on the type of document.
If you’re moving overseas for work, study, marriage, or even just to live, chances are you’ll need to apostille your official documents. Here are the most commonly apostilled documents:
If you’re not sure what needs to be apostilled for your visa or immigration application, we can help you check based on your destination country’s requirements.
These two terms often confuse people—and we get it, because they sound similar but serve different purposes.
In simple terms: apostilles and attestations help your South African documents “speak the language” of foreign governments.
If you’re unsure which one you need, don’t stress—our team will assess your documents and the destination country, then guide you through the correct process.
Used when you're submitting South African documents to a country that is part of the Hague Convention of 1961. It simplifies legalisation by replacing the lengthy embassy verification process. Countries like France, Germany, Portugal, the UK, Australia, and many others accept apostilles.
Used when the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention (e.g., UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar). In this case, documents must go through a more complex process involving:
Processing time can vary depending on the document type and the legalisation route required.
We also offer priority services if you’re working with tight embassy or visa deadlines.
Update July 2025: DIRCO recently introduced an online tracking system to reduce delays, but backlogs still occur. We recommend applying well in advance—or using our fast-track service.
At Global Visa Management, we offer a start-to-finish apostille and attestation service. Here’s how it works:
Send us a scan or photo of your documents. We’ll check if they’re ready for apostille, or if you need certified copies, notarisation, or translations first.
Depending on your document type, we submit it to the relevant authority for apostille or authentication.
If your destination is a non-Hague country, we manage the entire attestation process—this often includes DIRCO, Notary, and Embassy/Consulate legalisation.
Once completed, we’ll send the finalised documents to you via secure courier, no matter where you are—South Africa or abroad.
Nadine, a teacher going to Spain, nearly lost her visa spot because her police clearance wasn’t apostilled. We handled it within 4 days and had it couriered directly to her embassy.
Rashid, heading to the UAE for engineering work, needed attestation on four academic documents. We managed notarisation, DIRCO, and embassy legalisation—all under one roof.
Thuli, applying for Portuguese residency, wasn’t sure if her marriage certificate needed an apostille. We reviewed it, submitted it to DIRCO, and returned it ready for her appointment in Lisbon.
A sworn translation is an official translation performed by a qualified translator who is certified or accredited to produce legally valid translations. These are required when you need to submit foreign documents to official institutions like embassies, courts, universities, or immigration authorities.
Someone brings us a document needing both apostille and sworn translation. They’re trying to apply for permanent residency in Portugal and didn’t realize that the document needs to be translated before it’s apostilled—and both steps must be completed in the correct order.
Our team walks you through it and handles both the sworn translation and apostille efficiently. No back-and-forth between agencies. No missed steps. Just smooth, efficient processing.
“We Almost Missed the Deadline Over One Word”
A client once told us how a single untranslated word in her marriage certificate almost derailed her visa application. It wasn’t even a complicated document—just a standard form issued in her home country. But because it wasn’t a sworn translation, the embassy wouldn’t accept it. The kicker? She was already packed for her flight.
Thankfully, she called us just in time. We got her sworn translation done, stamped, and delivered—saving her trip, her nerves, and her plans to start her new life abroad.
That’s why sworn translations aren’t just about language—they’re about getting your future approved.
Imagine you’re applying for a visa, registering for school abroad, or getting married in another country. If any of your documents—birth certificates, academic transcripts, police clearances—are in a language that differs from the one your receiving institution uses, they won’t just accept any translation. They’ll ask for a sworn translation.
Without it, your application could be delayed or rejected. In some cases, it could even be considered fraudulent to submit an unofficial translation. That’s why it’s vital to work with a reliable, experienced agency like Global Visa Management that understands the importance of getting it right the first time.
We’ve done this for hundreds of clients across South Africa and abroad, and we treat every case like it’s personal—because it is.
Sometimes apostilles are just part of the puzzle. We also offer:
Let us handle the whole process while you focus on preparing for your next chapter abroad.
If you’re applying for a visa, job, school, or residency abroad, don’t leave your paperwork to chance. Apostilles, attestations and sworn translations are small but crucial steps—and we make sure they’re done right, the first time.
Global Visa Management Group is an internal managing company that assists with supplying services to our brands.
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