United States of America visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting United States of America

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a American Visa.


  • An application form (DS 160 for non-immigrant visas or DS 260 for immigrant visas) completed and signed by you

  • A passport expiring at least six months after your planned stay in the US. Your passport must also have at least one blank page.

  • Two photographs that must have been taken in the last 6 months. The photo size must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with a plain white background.

  • Paid visa fee to be able to schedule an interview. Fees vary per visa type. See table of Visa Fees below.

  • If you have travelled to the United States before then you would be required to present your former visas.

  • Your travel itinerary showing your planned date of entry and exit in the US.

  • Proof of accommodation either at a hotel, rented house, friend’s house or relative’s house e.t.c.

  • You must also provide proof of strong ties to your home country such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return once your visa has expired.

  • Sponsorship documents are required if you are planning to go to the US sponsored by another person who is a resident in the country.

  • Fingerprints are mandatory for anyone applying for a US visa, except they belong to one of the following categories; children under 14, elders over 79, or fall within & NATO applicants. People who physically are not able of giving their fingerprints are also exempt from giving their fingerprints.

United States Of America Visa for South Africans

Facts about United States Of America


The United States of America is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. You cannot truly see all the country has to offer in one trip. If you have exhausted the things to see in a particular location, the next location brings up a fresh array of things to see. The country has beautiful scenery, entertainment options, magnificent architecture, great tourist sites and so much more. No matter what you are interested in doing, you are sure to get it in the United States of America. National Parks, casinos, beaches, historical sites, movie theatres, trade fairs, shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife are just some of the things you can do in the country. Make sure you enjoy the rollercoaster of fun during your time here.
 
Tourism in the USA is a large industry that contributes greatly to the American economy. The United States of America is the country that attracts the third-largest number of tourists behind France and Spain and this may be attributed to the fact that tourists stay longer in the United States more than they do in France and Spain. The country plays host to about 78 million tourists yearly. Since Donald Trump got elected, the number of tourist visits in the United States has dropped by 4% and has led to the loss of about 40,000 jobs.
 
Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caymans, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, etc can gain entry to the United States of America visa-free for a certain period of time.


Drug use is illegal in the country and carries lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. Foreign nationals from Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen are not eligible to travel to the United States.

Types of United States Of America Visa


Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 5 - 15 days 90 days
Student visa 5 - 15 days 90 days
Work visa 5 - 15 days 90 days
Transit visa 5 - 15 days 24 hours
Official visa 5 - 15 days 90 days

General Requirements for United States Of America Visa


  • An application form (DS 160 for non-immigrant visas or DS 260 for immigrant visas) completed and signed by you

  • A passport expiring at least six months after your planned stay in the US. Your passport must also have at least one blank page.

  • Two photographs that must have been taken in the last 6 months. The photo size must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with a plain white background.

  • Paid visa fee to be able to schedule an interview. Fees vary per visa type. See table of Visa Fees below.

  • If you have travelled to the United States before then you would be required to present your former visas.

  • Your travel itinerary showing your planned date of entry and exit in the US.

  • Proof of accommodation either at a hotel, rented house, friend’s house or relative’s house e.t.c.

  • You must also provide proof of strong ties to your home country such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return once your visa has expired.

  • Sponsorship documents are required if you are planning to go to the US sponsored by another person who is a resident in the country.

  • Fingerprints are mandatory for anyone applying for a US visa, except they belong to one of the following categories; children under 14, elders over 79, or fall within & NATO applicants. People who physically are not able of giving their fingerprints are also exempt from giving their fingerprints.

United States Of America Visa Fees


Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

B-2 (Visitor & Medical Purposes) Visa

B-1 (Business visa)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

J-1 (Research Scholars Visa)

M-1 (Vocational and Non-academic Visa)

F-1 (Academic Institution and Language Training Courses Visa)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

Work visa

H-1B (Foreign Workers Visa)

H-2B (Temporary Foreign Workers Visa)

L-1 (Intracompany Transfers Visa)

O (Extraordinary Ability Visa)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

Transit visa

160.00 (USD)

Official visa

A-1 (Diplomats and Foreign Government Official Visa)

A-2 (Employees assigned by the Government Visa)

(USD)

(USD)

United States Of America Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa


Location

Address

Pretoria

877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, 0083 Pretoria.

https://www.za.usembassy.gov

+27 12 431 4000

Cape Town

2 Reddam Avenue, Westlake, 7945, Cape Town.

https://www.za.usembassy.gov

consularcapetown@state.gov

+27 21 702 7300

Johannesburg

1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst, 2196, Johannesburg.

https://www.za.usembassy.gov

consularjohannesburg@state.gov

+27 11 290 3000

Durban

303 Dr Pixley Kaseme Street, Durban Central, 4001

https://www.za.usembassy.gov

consulardurban@state.gov

+27 31 305 7600

Frequently Asked Questions


What do I need to work in the USA?

A work permit will be needed. It is commonly called EAD (Employment Authorization Document).


How do I get a B-2 visa?

You can get a B-2 visa by visiting visa application centers near you.


Is it difficult to get a US visa?

It is not difficult to get a US visa. It depends on the applicant’s presentation before consulate officers during visa interview.


How long does it take to get US visa after interview?

Visas are usually issued within 2 - 3 working days after interview.


How many days will it take to get US visa?

The visa will be processed between 3 – 15 days.


I am working in South Africa but am a citizen of Zimbabwe. I have managed to secure a job in America. Can I process my visa from South Africa. What is required. The job needs urgency.?