Document Authentification

The actual application of the working permit is done in China. You will need to supply the following documents: 

 

1. Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

2. Degree certificate

3. TEFL (or the equivalents) certificate

 

All of the above documents have to be legalized first. The following is an in-depth guide on the document legalization process.

 

 

Police Clearance Certificate

 

A PCC is a document showing that you have a clean criminal record. You apply for the Police Clearance Certificate at your local police station where you must fill in forms and have your fingerprint taken.

 

You can use the SAPS postal service or any other courier service. It is advised that you use an external courier service. If you stay in Gauteng, it is better to drop off your PCC at the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management Centre (CRC) at:

 

Bothongo Plaza West
CRC Client Service Centre
1st Floor, Room 14
271 Francis Baard Street
PRETORIA

 

 

Degree Certificate

 

Note that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) no longer verifies South African issued tertiary qualifications since 29 November 2019. The verification process is taken over by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The address of SAQA is:

 

SAQA House
1067 Arcadia Street, Hatfield
Pretoria

 

You need to get a stamped copy of your degree and a confirmation letter from SAQA.

 

 

TEFL Certificate

 

Bring the original and a copy of your TEFL Certificate to any public notary or a local police station to get it notarized. After that, you bring the notarized copy to the High Court to be verified.

 

 

Department of International Relations and Cooperation

 

Once you have all the above documents done, bring them to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation ("DIRCO") for authentication.

 

The address of DIRCO is at OR Tambo Building, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, Pretoria.

 

 

Chinese Embassy

 

Bring all the authenticated documents from DIRCO to the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria for their final legalization. It is advised to download and fill out this form before you go.

 

The address of the Chinese Embassy is 972 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.

 

 

Depending on which province in China your school is located in, you may or may not have to mail your original legalized documents to your school. We will advise accordingly.

 

If you are staying outside of Gauteng, it might be better to appoint an apostille agent to handle the document authentification process. It will cost significantly more but are generally very efficient.

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