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Back to H2B Visa Countries
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H2B Visa Approvals in South Africa

How many H2B visa applications U.S. Embassies and Consulates in South Africa approved, by fiscal year and by post. Every visa issued is an approved application.

The State Department publishes issuance counts for this visa class but not refusals, so there is no approval rate to report and none is shown. Figures run from March 2017 to September 2025.

Visas approved per year: South Africa

Totals by U.S. fiscal year, which runs October to September, so FY2025 covers October 2024 to September 2025. Refusals are not published for this visa class, so an approval rate cannot be shown.

05601K2K2KVisas approvedFiscal yearFY2017: 571 approved571FY17FY2018: 1,647 approved2KFY18FY2019: 1,804 approved2KFY19FY2020: 1,350 approved1KFY20FY2021: 447 approved447FY21FY2022: 1,870 approved2KFY22FY2023: 1,675 approved2KFY23FY2024: 2,241 approved2KFY24FY2025: 2,205 approved2KFY25

2,205

FY2025

2,241

Peak (FY2024)

-1.6%

vs FY2024

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How South Africa compares for H2B visas

Against every country that received a H2B visa in FY2025.

#7

of 85 countries

2,265

Approved in FY2025

1.6%

Of the world total

139,714

Issued worldwide

Fewest (85th)Most (1st)
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Which consulate in South Africa approves the most

H2B visas issued at each post in FY2025, as a share of the 2,205 issued across South Africa.

  • Cape Town95243.2%
  • Johannesburg85538.8%
  • Durban39818.0%

How each South Africa consulate has changed

H2B visas approved per fiscal year, by post. The share chart shows who is largest today; this shows who is rising.

Cape TownJohannesburgDurban
02755508251KVisas approvedFiscal yearCape Town, FY2017: 196 approvedCape Town, FY2018: 786 approvedCape Town, FY2019: 813 approvedCape Town, FY2020: 612 approvedCape Town, FY2021: 289 approvedCape Town, FY2022: 1,100 approvedCape Town, FY2023: 698 approvedCape Town, FY2024: 1,023 approvedCape Town, FY2025: 952 approvedJohannesburg, FY2017: 335 approvedJohannesburg, FY2018: 739 approvedJohannesburg, FY2019: 709 approvedJohannesburg, FY2020: 619 approvedJohannesburg, FY2021: 69 approvedJohannesburg, FY2022: 531 approvedJohannesburg, FY2023: 581 approvedJohannesburg, FY2024: 824 approvedJohannesburg, FY2025: 855 approvedDurban, FY2017: 40 approvedDurban, FY2018: 122 approvedDurban, FY2019: 282 approvedDurban, FY2020: 119 approvedDurban, FY2021: 89 approvedDurban, FY2022: 239 approvedDurban, FY2023: 396 approvedDurban, FY2024: 394 approvedDurban, FY2025: 398 approvedFY17FY18FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
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When H2B visas are approved in South Africa

Average approvals per calendar month across 4 complete years. Busiest month is Oct, quietest is Aug.

193
125
192
182
72
56
46
30
416
484
42
70
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Calendar months, not fiscal. A busy month means more applications competing for the same interview slots, not a better chance of approval.

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Monthly Visa Issuance Data

Month201720182019202020212022202320242025
Jan-245185101191-134208270
Feb-150981981127113140220
Mar99110220222-211163276275
Apr89113167--124219227259
May2531777-87948498
Jun15401041328374138
Jul411145-134101919
Aug307431-335147133
Sep1445691--592667849698
Oct654706724-7244274230-
Nov696338147460514124-
Dec584355101-2581101-

Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas ApprovedChange on YearRelative to peak
FY20252,205▼1.6%
FY20242,241▲33.8%
FY20231,675▼10.4%
FY20221,870▲318.3%
FY2021447▼66.9%
FY20201,350▼25.2%
FY20191,804▲9.5%
FY20181,647▲188.4%
FY2017571—

Consulate-Specific Data

Cape Town
View detailed approval data →
Durban
View detailed approval data →
Johannesburg
View detailed approval data →

H2B interview prep

The numbers are history. Your interview is not.

Nothing on this page changes your odds. What happens in the two minutes at the window does. Face a live AI visa officer for the H2B as applicants in South Africa face it, answer out loud under follow-up pressure, and get a readiness score with feedback on every answer.

Practise your H2B interviewFirst session free. No card required.

View H2B Visa Issuance Trends for Other Countries

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Albania
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Algeria
🏳️
Antigua And Barbuda
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Argentina
Flag of Armenia
Armenia
Flag of Australia
Australia
Flag of Austria
Austria
Flag of Bahamas
Bahamas
Flag of Bahrain
Bahrain
Flag of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Flag of Barbados
Barbados
Flag of Belarus
Belarus
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approval rate for H2B visas in South Africa?
There is no published approval rate for H2B visas. The State Department reports how many visas it issued but not how many it refused, and a rate needs both. This page shows the issuance counts that genuinely exist for South Africa.
How many H2B visas does South Africa get?
The tables and charts above show issuances by U.S. fiscal year, which runs October to September, and where the data allows, by individual consulate. These counts come directly from the State Department's monthly issuance tables.
What factors affect H2B 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 H2B 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 data come from?
All figures are sourced from published U.S. Department of State statistics. We update them as new monthly and annual tables are released.

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  • Visa Interview Wait Times – Check current wait times for US consulates worldwide.
  • Visa Interview Tips & Guides – Read expert advice and articles.
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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: These are counts of visas issued, taken from the State Department’s monthly issuance tables. No approval rate is shown because refusals are not published per country or per post, and a rate cannot be calculated without them. Figures exclude cases under administrative processing and are subject to reporting delays.

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.

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