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B1B2 Visa Approval Rates in South Africa

Below are the approval rates for B1B2 visas at U.S. Embassies/Consulates in South Africa. These statistics reflect recent trends in visa processing and can help you gauge your chances of approval.

South Africa: Historical Approval Rates

YearApprovalsRefusalsApproval RateRefusal Rate
202356,06417,50276.2%23.8%
202237,6989,75079.5%20.5%
202150510283.2%16.8%
202021,83810,12668.3%31.7%
201943,91918,96969.8%30.2%
201851,16024,51467.6%32.4%

Visa Applications by Year

South Africa - Visa Applications by Year

012K24K36K48K59K71K83K201820192020202120222023Number of ApplicationsYearYear: 2018 Approvals: 51,160 Approval Rate: 67.6% Total: 75,674Year: 2018 Refusals: 24,514 Refusal Rate: 32.4% Total: 75,67451K25KYear: 2019 Approvals: 43,919 Approval Rate: 69.8% Total: 62,888Year: 2019 Refusals: 18,969 Refusal Rate: 30.2% Total: 62,88844K19KYear: 2020 Approvals: 21,838 Approval Rate: 68.3% Total: 31,964Year: 2020 Refusals: 10,126 Refusal Rate: 31.7% Total: 31,96422K10KYear: 2021 Approvals: 505 Approval Rate: 83.2% Total: 607Year: 2021 Refusals: 102 Refusal Rate: 16.8% Total: 607Year: 2022 Approvals: 37,698 Approval Rate: 79.5% Total: 47,448Year: 2022 Refusals: 9,750 Refusal Rate: 20.5% Total: 47,44838K10KYear: 2023 Approvals: 56,064 Approval Rate: 76.2% Total: 73,566Year: 2023 Refusals: 17,502 Refusal Rate: 23.8% Total: 73,56656K18KApprovalsRefusals

Approval Rate Trends

Visa Approval/Refusal Rate Trends

0%25%50%75%100%201820192020202120222023Approval and Refusal Rates by YearYear: 2018 Approval Rate: 67.6% Approvals: 51,160Year: 2018 Refusal Rate: 32.4% Refusals: 24,514Year: 2019 Approval Rate: 69.8% Approvals: 43,919Year: 2019 Refusal Rate: 30.2% Refusals: 18,969Year: 2020 Approval Rate: 68.3% Approvals: 21,838Year: 2020 Refusal Rate: 31.7% Refusals: 10,126Year: 2021 Approval Rate: 83.2% Approvals: 505Year: 2021 Refusal Rate: 16.8% Refusals: 102Year: 2022 Approval Rate: 79.5% Approvals: 37,698Year: 2022 Refusal Rate: 20.5% Refusals: 9,750Year: 2023 Approval Rate: 76.2% Approvals: 56,064Year: 2023 Refusal Rate: 23.8% Refusals: 17,502Approval RateRefusal Rate

South Africa: Monthly Visa Issuance Data

Month20172018201920202021202220232024
Jan-321325404109100175640423755
Feb-36533700430245184841043691
Mar442443824703244159236645733402
Apr3666459046241066183240924546
May4004525243174165250346893788
Jun4363555738221779266343103620
Jul4400511938304079256844195038
Aug4309522537772279411651034334
Sep4352361141543496409243303665
Oct43324830532978174514338543852
Nov422537513948134147148403556-
Dec28031970235310512326022433-

South Africa: Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas Issued
FY20254,074
FY202446,222
FY202356,064
FY202237,698
FY2021505
FY202021,838
FY201943,919
FY201851,160
FY201728,961

Consulate-Specific Data

Capte Town Consulate
View detailed approval data
Durban Consulate
View detailed approval data
Johannesberg Consulate
View detailed approval data

View B1B2 Visa Approval Rates for Other Countries

BangladeshEthiopiaGhanaIndiaKenyaNepalNigeriaPakistanSrilanka

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approval rate for B1B2 visas in South Africa?
Approval rates can vary by year, consulate, and applicant profile. See the tables and charts above for the latest data. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to official U.S. Department of State sources and consult with visa experts if needed.
What factors affect B1B2 visa approval in South Africa?
Factors include the completeness and accuracy of your application, supporting documents, interview performance, and the specific consulate's workload and policies. Common reasons for refusal include missing documents, insufficient ties to home country, or unclear travel purpose.
How can I improve my chances of getting a B1B2 visa in South Africa?
Prepare thoroughly for your interview, provide honest and complete information, and ensure all documents are in order. Review common mistakes and tips provided above, and consider seeking professional guidance if you have a complex case.
Where does this visa approval data come from?
All data is sourced from the U.S. Department of State and official consulate reports. We regularly update our statistics to reflect the latest available information.
Can approval rates change over time?
Yes, approval and refusal rates can fluctuate due to policy changes, global events, or changes in application volume. Always check for the most recent data before applying.

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Data Source & Transparency

Data Source: All visa approval statistics are compiled from the official U.S. Department of State’s annual visa statistics reports. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the U.S. Department of State Visa Statistics.

Methodology: Approval rates are calculated as the percentage of issued visas out of total adjudicated applications (approvals + refusals) for each consulate and country. Data may not include cases under administrative processing or withdrawn applications. Numbers are updated regularly and may be subject to reporting delays or changes in U.S. visa policy.

Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with the U.S. government. All data is provided for informational purposes only. For official guidance, always refer to the U.S. Department of State or your local U.S. embassy/consulate.