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F1 Visa Approval Rates in South Africa

Below are the approval rates for F1 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
20231,64693663.7%36.3%
20223,0821,65465.1%34.9%
20211,72042580.2%19.8%
202057025868.8%31.2%
20191,26342974.6%25.4%
20181,18163565.0%35.0%

Visa Applications by Year

South Africa - Visa Applications by Year

05K5K201820192020202120222023Number of ApplicationsYearYear: 2018 Approvals: 1,181 Approval Rate: 65.0% Total: 1,816Year: 2018 Refusals: 635 Refusal Rate: 35.0% Total: 1,8161K635Year: 2019 Approvals: 1,263 Approval Rate: 74.6% Total: 1,692Year: 2019 Refusals: 429 Refusal Rate: 25.4% Total: 1,6921K429Year: 2020 Approvals: 570 Approval Rate: 68.8% Total: 828Year: 2020 Refusals: 258 Refusal Rate: 31.2% Total: 828570Year: 2021 Approvals: 1,720 Approval Rate: 80.2% Total: 2,145Year: 2021 Refusals: 425 Refusal Rate: 19.8% Total: 2,1452K425Year: 2022 Approvals: 3,082 Approval Rate: 65.1% Total: 4,736Year: 2022 Refusals: 1,654 Refusal Rate: 34.9% Total: 4,7363K2KYear: 2023 Approvals: 1,646 Approval Rate: 63.7% Total: 2,582Year: 2023 Refusals: 936 Refusal Rate: 36.3% Total: 2,5822K936ApprovalsRefusals

Approval Rate Trends

Visa Approval/Refusal Rate Trends

0%25%50%75%100%201820192020202120222023Approval and Refusal Rates by YearYear: 2018 Approval Rate: 65.0% Approvals: 1,181Year: 2018 Refusal Rate: 35.0% Refusals: 635Year: 2019 Approval Rate: 74.6% Approvals: 1,263Year: 2019 Refusal Rate: 25.4% Refusals: 429Year: 2020 Approval Rate: 68.8% Approvals: 570Year: 2020 Refusal Rate: 31.2% Refusals: 258Year: 2021 Approval Rate: 80.2% Approvals: 1,720Year: 2021 Refusal Rate: 19.8% Refusals: 425Year: 2022 Approval Rate: 65.1% Approvals: 3,082Year: 2022 Refusal Rate: 34.9% Refusals: 1,654Year: 2023 Approval Rate: 63.7% Approvals: 1,646Year: 2023 Refusal Rate: 36.3% Refusals: 936Approval RateRefusal Rate

South Africa: Monthly Visa Issuance Data

Month20172018201920202021202220232024
Jan-738585761447283
Feb-2120194251525
Mar231728113583142
Apr264230-25575108
May911051153167178216173
Jun1651692322284245245252
Jul2522302556401390245312
Aug16119119114918820912487
Sep5130398161483933
Oct2824349537304834
Nov44334189796961-
Dec1098810211314108122-

South Africa: Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas Issued
FY202585
FY20242,041
FY20231,646
FY20223,082
FY20211,720
FY2020570
FY20191,263
FY20181,181
FY2017853

Consulate-Specific Data

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

View F1 Visa Approval Rates for Other Countries

BangladeshEthiopiaGhanaIndiaNepalNigeriaPakistanPhilippinesSrilanka

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approval rate for F1 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 F1 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 F1 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.