The Letter of Endorsement is a letter issued by the Foreign Workforce Management Programme (FWMP) to foreign medical practitioners so that they are able to practice medicine in South Africa. In order to obtain the letter you need to apply for it, by filing the endorsement letter form accompanied by all the necessary documents needed. The Letter of Endorsement serves as an invitation letter to enter South Africa and register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) so that you are able to practice medicine in South Africa. Once your application for a Letter of Endorsement is approved and you are issued with it, the FWMP will also supervise your recruitment, employment, and migration and assist you with obtaining residency in South Africa. The following blog post will further discuss the Letter of Endorsement, how to get one, where to apply for it and stipulations by the FWMP on issuing Letters of Endorsement.
How to get the Letter of Endorsement and where to apply for it
In order for you to be issued with a Letter of Endorsement you must apply for it at the National Department of Health (NDOH) through the Foreign Workforce Management Programme (FWMP). You can send your application via post to Mr Shawn-Allan Smith or Mrs Rose Mdlalose, Foreign Workforce Management Program, c/o The Director-General, National Department of Health, Private Bag X828, PRETORIA, 0001. Or you can email your application to smiths@health.gov.za or pienal@health.qov.za. Remember your application must be accompanied by the application form, and your cover letter where you introduce yourself and state who you are. What you are applying for and what you want to do, in terms of your future plans and preferences and an estimate of when you can start working.
The FWMP gives preference in issuing the Letter of Endorsement to foreign healthcare professionals who are able to commit to more than a year or longer, up to three years. Once they know more about you through your application and you are what they are looking for, they will then issue you with a Letter of Endorsement and a firm job offer in writing.
Stipulations by the FWMP on issuing the Letter of Endorsement
- You’ll be offered a three-year temporary contract, which is non-renewable after three years, where you’ll be able to work in the public healthcare sector only.
- Applicants must register with HPCSA, as the FWMP’s support for employment is dependent upon the requirements set by the HPCSA for medical practitioners in South Africa. Once your registration with the HPCSA is approved you need to send the registration letter to the FWMP.
- Candidates must maintain the validity of their work permits and refugee status with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in order to be employed. In order to work in South Africa, refugees are not required to obtain a work permit. Refugees are encouraged to apply for an identity document.
- Letters of endorsement solely serve as a recommendation for clinical duties.
- Until both Provincial Heads of Health physically sign a transfer agreement (a letter of release and a letter of acceptance), the Department will not approve any requests for transfers to other provinces.
- Prior to receiving the Department’s support, applicants are not permitted to begin working at any other healthcare institution.
Spanish Translation Services
Spanish Translation will assist you with translating your travel documents, as well as your Letter of Endorsement, to ensure a smooth relocation process. We are qualified and experienced to offer comprehensive translation services. We are a recognised translation company in South Africa with locations in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. You can overcome language hurdles thanks to our certified native speakers who translate our content. Our translators will accurately and fully translate your documents while taking into mind every detail. We translate both from English to Spanish and vice versa. We notarize and certify your documents in addition to translations so that you can use them lawfully abroad.
Contact us at 081-347-6060 or 012-348-3134. You can reach us by email as well at info@spanishtranslation.co.za or by visiting our website at www.spanishtranslation.co.za for more information about our business and our document translation services. We would love to speak with you and answer any queries you may have.
