Process for foreign pharmacists to register in South Africa (SAPC)

Pharmacy profession in South Africa is so in demand. There has been a scarcity of pharmacists in South Africa for a while, and govt. is taking adequate steps required to surmount this lacking. The pharmacy council is doing its best to spread awareness about the importance of medicines and hospitals in rural areas as most people in rural still go for the traditional medications which is solely because of the lack of knowledge and awareness. And by expanding the universities to these areas, it increases the pass out rate of pharmacists per annum. South Africa on other hand also allows pharmacists from foreign countries (who obtained their degrees from countries other than South Africa) to register with SAPC and work in South Africa.

If you are a qualified pharmacist outside South Africa and wailing to register as a pharmacist in South Africa, here is the procedure to follow. Before going into the details, let me introduce you to FWMP or FWM.

The Foreign Workforce Management (FWM) of South Africa

Foreign workforce management of South Africa is a govt. body that serves all foreigners who are willing to work in South Africa. All applications by Healthcare Professionals for employment in South Africa must first be sent to the National Department of Health.

The FWM division is managed by Mr.Hennie Groenewald who is the Director: Workforce Management. Application to the FWM is a mere presentation of your candidature for consideration and does not serve as an invitation to depart to South Africa, should you still be abroad.

Here are the steps to follow to get registered as a pharmacist in South Africa.

Before entering the Republic

1.    First obtain the qualification of B.pharmacy/ M.pharmacy, Pharma.D

2.    You need to Clear IELTS with a minimum band score of 6.0,  check this http://www.infosapharmacy.blogspot.com/2012/10/ielts-to-get-work-permit-to-south-africa.html

3.    You need to arrange the following documents.

·       Birth certificate

·       Passport

·       Grade 12 or any equivalent certificate’s marks lists

·       Marks lists of every semester of the B.pharmacy/ M.pharmacy, Pharma.D

·       Provisional certificate of the course completed

·       Convocation certificate of the course completed

·       IELTS report card

·       Filled application form downloaded from the site of fwmp, LINK: http://www.doh.gov.za/docs/misc/2011/fwmapplication.pdf

·       Certified copies of each and every document required.

·       A covering letter stating the subjects covered in your course and your project(if any) experience(if any)

4.    Scan the entire documents and mail them to the fwmp.

5.    Mail ids: ZelnoB@health.gov.za , MachaB@health.gov.za

6.    It takes a time of 45 days approximately to get the result from the fwmp.

7.    Meanwhile keep them reminding about your application through mails. And be patient.

8.    Receive the letter from the fwmp.

9.    With the letter you can apply for visa.

    

    Visa requirements:

·       Valid passport with at least 3 empty pages.

·       Letter from fwmp

·       Filled application form of South African visit permit

·       Valid Police clearance certificate(pcc)

·       Valid health certificates regarding your mental conditions and any diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis etc.,

·       Forms are downloaded from the site

·       Bank statements of the candidate/ If any sponsors are available to you in South Africa, id/work permit of the person.

·       His/her bank statements 6 months.

·       A letter certified from your sponsor stating that you are his/her responsibility during your visit in South Africa.

·       A certified letter about the sponsor residence.

·       Confirmed two ways flight ticket to the destination or a ticket held to certain dates.

Kindly take note:

Don’t depend on any agents. As there are many who got dumped in the middle of the process.

It’s always better to go in your own way. Do things by yourself. Just to motivate: you are a grown up adult, as you are about to enter next stage of your life, as an adult you should be able to do all these things by yourself. Going through an agency is risky and not always reliable.

Tips in embassy:

Convince the officer pleasingly explaining the purpose of visit and about the letter received by you.

Don’t be afraid of the questions asked, answer them with confidence.

Confidence plays a key role.

After entering the Republic

·       You need to acquire SAQA certificate (South African Qualification Authority) first.

·       You need to extend your visa as soon as possible, as you will be given one extension only, you should use it wisely. As it takes a bit of time for the extension process, it is advised to do your extension as soon as you enter the republic.

·       Apply for the council (SAPC) with all the documents including your SAQA and IELTS.

·       Keep on following up about the status of your application.

·       You should receive the approval in few days.

·       Now pay the examination fee and fix your examination venue.

·       Write your exam on the date fixed by SAPC and wait for your results.

·       Standard of the professional exams is pretty high and if you know your stuff, it is not difficult to pass. But, let me warn you, very few people made it on their first time, so please don’t take these exams easily. Mark my words, if you don’t study well you won’t make it first time.

All the best to one and all, thanks for visiting my site. Have you any doubts; please feel free to leave a comment, we are very happy to help.

I would like to thank my dear brother Ram Dilip Nuthalapti for this guest post.

THANK YOU