Source: U.S. Department of State. Figures are as published; refusal rates are not individual odds of refusal/approval. Wait times are estimated appointment waits, not real-time.

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South Africa

Country Overview

FY2025
11.66%
FY2024
10.65%
Change vs FY2024 (pp)
+1.01 pp
Rank
#160/198

Rank is based solely on the published Adjusted B Visa Refusal Rate for the selected fiscal year. It is a neutral ordering of official figures, not a judgment about any nationality or applicant.

Annual Refusal Rate

Data table (accessible alternative to chart)
Fiscal year Adjusted refusal rate Change vs prior FY YoY
FY2006 5.20% — —
FY2007 5.90% +0.70 pp +13.46%
FY2008 4.60% -1.30 pp -22.03%
FY2009 3.80% -0.80 pp -17.39%
FY2010 4.10% +0.30 pp +7.89%
FY2011 4.60% +0.50 pp +12.2%
FY2012 2.90% -1.70 pp -36.96%
FY2013 2.60% -0.30 pp -10.34%
FY2014 2.60% 0.00 pp 0%
FY2015 5.08% +2.48 pp +95.38%
FY2016 6.83% +1.75 pp +34.45%
FY2017 6.44% -0.39 pp -5.71%
FY2018 7.31% +0.87 pp +13.51%
FY2019 6.92% -0.39 pp -5.34%
FY2020 7.80% +0.88 pp +12.72%
FY2021 17.67% +9.87 pp +126.54%
FY2022 9.68% -7.99 pp -45.22%
FY2023 11.27% +1.59 pp +16.43%
FY2024 10.65% -0.62 pp -5.5%
FY2025 11.66% +1.01 pp +9.48%

Refusal rate trend

Data table (accessible alternative to chart) — Refusal rate trend
Fiscal year Adjusted refusal rate
FY2006 5.20%
FY2007 5.90%
FY2008 4.60%
FY2009 3.80%
FY2010 4.10%
FY2011 4.60%
FY2012 2.90%
FY2013 2.60%
FY2014 2.60%
FY2015 5.08%
FY2016 6.83%
FY2017 6.44%
FY2018 7.31%
FY2019 6.92%
FY2020 7.80%
FY2021 17.67%
FY2022 9.68%
FY2023 11.27%
FY2024 10.65%
FY2025 11.66%

Source: U.S. Department of State · View official source

Country facts

Population
64,747,319 (2025)
Source
Capital
Pretoria
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Currency
—
ISO code
ZA
Passport / nationality
South Africa

Last checked: Oct 2, 2026 · World Bank

Passport overview

Passport mobility summary is not yet available for this nationality.

Indicative summary only. Not a Passport Index mirror and not Timatic. Always verify entry rules with official government and airline sources before travel. This site is not a live policy authority.

U.S. visa processing posts in this country

Official data updated: Sep 17, 2026 · Last checked: Oct 2, 2026

City / Post B1/B2 Average Wait Time B1/B2 Next Available Appointment F,M,J Next Available H,L,O,P,Q Next Available
Cape Town Not published 1.5 months Less than half a month Less than half a month
Durban Not published Not published Not published Not published
Johannesburg Not published 1 month Less than half a month 1 month
Pretoria Not published Not published Not published Not published