SAQA MBChB Evaluation Process

1. Gather original academic documents in Cuba

a. Request your medical degree & transcripts

Documents needed: official medical degree certificate; academic transcripts showing all subjects, credits and outcomes (most crucial for SAQA evaluation).
How to get them: contact your Cuban medical university’s registrar / academic office. You may need to provide a written request, ID copy, student number, and possibly pay a local administrative fee. Ensure transcripts are detailed (not just a graduation letter but the full course history). Alternatively you may request the help of the Health attaché at the South African Embassy in Cuba.
Time: often 2–6 weeks depending on university processing and postal time.

b. Legalisation / apostille (if required)

SAQA may require legalised or apostilled documents from Cuban authorities or the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Check whether your university provides documents that are already internationally recognised (some Cuban universities include certification for international use; confirm with SAQA). If not, plan for legalisation steps, which may add a few extra weeks.

2. Translation of documents (Spanish → English)

a. Why translation is needed

SAQA requires sworn / official translations of all foreign language documents submitted with your evaluation application. Both the original and the sworn translation must be submitted.

b. Choose a sworn translator

In South Africa, translations must ideally be done by a sworn translator (accredited to provide certified translations).
You can locate accredited translators through South African sworn translator directories (High Court accredited), or local language service firms in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.

c. Estimated translation costs

Typical sworn translator costs run approximately R700 – R1 500 per page for official academic documents. Some services start around R500–R700 per short official document, and international online certified translations can start from ~R450–R600 per page (if accepted by SAQA). Straker (see links below) is accepted in most countries including RSA.
Costs vary with translator experience, urgency, and length of transcripts.

d. Time for translation

Standard turnaround is 1–5 business days per document once received by the translator, depending on length and schedule.

3. Apply for SAQA foreign qualification evaluation

a. Create SAQA profile and online application

Register on the SAQA portal as the Qualification Holder (QH) — SAQA requires applications under your own contact details.
Complete and submit the Foreign Qualifications Evaluation Application Form online with uploaded copies of: ID / passport, original certificate(s), sworn English translation(s), academic transcript(s) with transcript legends, and proof of payment.

b. SAQA fees

Effective from 1 April 2026 (tariffs may change each financial year):

Service	Approx. fee (ZAR)
Evaluation — 1st qualification	~R2 361
Each additional qualification	~R988 (if relevant)
Verification of Foreign Qualification Only	~R1 038 (if used)
Appeal, if needed	~R2 558 – R3 838+
Verification of SAQA certificate later	~R110

Note: most applicants will pay the evaluation fee for the primary medical degree.

c. SAQA processing time

Standard processing: up to 90 calendar days (≈ 3 months) after receiving a compliant application.
SAQA may contact your Cuban university for verification, which can prolong the process. Before applying to SAQA you may consider submitting your documents for verification by ECFMG through EPIC, an international body that verifies documents with your university anywhere in the world. Those verified documents can be sent to any country, including South Africa, and may be useful later if you decide to work abroad.

d. Result

You’ll receive an e-SAQA evaluation certificate (electronically) showing how your foreign degree maps onto the South African NQF.

4. Submit SAQA evaluation to HPCSA (for professional registration)

a. Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

The HPCSA handles medical practitioner registration in South Africa.
Submit your SAQA evaluation certificate, original documents, translations, and any HPCSA-specific requirements (e.g. internship documentation, board exam results).
Requirements vary and include professional exams and potentially supervised practice before full registration.

Estimated additional time: varies widely — professional exams and council processing may take several months.

Summary estimated timeline & costs

Request transcripts & certificates (Cuba): 2–6 weeks, variable university fees.
Sworn translation (Spanish → English): 1–5 days per document, ~R700–R1 500 per page.
SAQA evaluation processing: ~8–12 weeks, ~R2 361.
HPCSA professional registration: variable (months), application + exam fees.

These timelines assume all documentation is complete and no additional verification delays occur.

Documents

Resources

Our mission is to foster a strong network of alumni, support current members, and contribute to healthcare advancements in South Africa. As part of support to alumni, the following may be beneficial for some of our members.

Study Guides

The adaptation process from the Cuban community-based curriculum to the South African primarily hospital-based curriculum is one of the major challenges faced by students upon their return to South Africa to complete their studies. CAASA is currently in the process of preparing study aids prepared by Cuban-trained South African specialists in order to mitigate this challenge.

Internal Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Psychiatry
Anaesthetics
Family Medicine
Paediatrics
Orthopaedics
General Surgery