USA
About
| The USA is a vast country to explore, with 50 states to choose from, each unique in so many ways. It is flanked by two oceans and covers an incredibly varied terrain. Expansive plains, snow-covered mountain ranges, forested rolling hills, deserts, strange rock formations, soaring skyscrapers, stunning coastlines, impressive national parks and a thriving cultural scene; the USA has it all, plus some. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan's unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger joints, the vast expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas. |
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| Capital: | Washington, DC. (WAS) |
| Currency: | US Dollar (USD) |
| Language: | English |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 1 |
| Time Zones: |
UTC/GMT – 10 to UTC/ GMT - 5 |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best time to go: | Depends largely on which part of USA you would be visiting, As a general rule, spring (March – May) and Autumn (September – October) are the better months. June – August are the summer months and temperatures can be very warm. Spring and Autumn are more comfortable. Summer is also a peak travel time. |
| Best For: | Broadway, Las Vegas, Disney World |
| Plugs: | 120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If on prescription medication, it is advised to bring sufficient medication for the entire trip with accompanying doctors certificate. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. |
| Local Offences / Laws: |
Smoking is illegal in most public places. Alcohol drinking age is 21. NOTE: due to increased security measures, passengers flying to USA should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of time. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars. • 1L of alcoholic beverage. • Goods up to a value of US$800 (returning residents who have been out of the country for at least 48 hours; this limit is applicable once in a 30-day period and is reduced to US$200 for travellers who have already used the allowance or have been out of the USA for less than 48 hours). Travellers arriving from certain Caribbean and Latin American countries may import up to 2L of alcoholic beverages, as long as at least 1L was produced in one of the applicable countries. US residents returning from a US insular possession (American Samoa, Guam or US Virgin Islands) have a duty-free allowance of US$1,600, including up to 1,000 cigarettes (at least 800 of which must have been bought in the insular possession) and 5L of alcoholic beverages, one of which must be a product of the insular possession. Further information on US customs regulations is available online (www.cbp.gov). |
| Prohibited Imports: | The following are either banned or may only be imported under licence: • Narcotics and dangerous drugs, unless for medical purposes (doctor's certificate required). • Absinthe. • Biological materials, some seeds, fruits and plants (including endangered species of plants and vegetables and their products). • Firearms and ammunition (with some exceptions - consult the customs website). • Meat and poultry products - fresh, dried or canned. • Certain fish (unless certified as disease free). • Dairy products and eggs. • Wildlife and endangered species, including crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, game and hunting trophies and crafted articles of any part thereof. • Dog and cat fur. • Some art and artefacts. • Haitian animal hide drums. • Some automobiles. • More than one article (limited to once every 30 days) displaying a counterfeit or confusingly similar logo to trademarked and copyrighted articles. • Merchandise from embargoed countries: Cuba, Iran, Myanmar and most of Sudan; information materials (pamphlets, books, tapes, films and recordings) are permitted. Items of archaeological, historical religious or scientific importance that are illegally removed from specific locations in Iraq. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Weapons and drugs. |
Travel Alerts
- For non-U.S. citizens seeking information about current travel restrictions affecting travel to the United States, please see https://za.usembassy.gov/visas/
- For updates on the trial program related to visa bonds, please visit: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html
This Information is intended as a Guideline.
Issuing Authorities
US Embassy in South Africa
877 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012 431 4000
Web: za.usembassy.gov
US Consulate-General - Johannesburg
1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst 2091
Tel: 011 290 3000
Web: za.usembassy.gov/johannesburg-u-s-consulate/
US Consulate General - Cape Town
2 Reddam Avenue,Westlake, 7945
Tel: 021 702 7300
Web: za.usembassy.gov/cape-town-u-s-consulate/
US Consulate General - Durban
Delta Towers 31st Floor, 303 Dr Pixley KeSame Street, DURBAN 4001
Tel: 031 305 7600
Web: za.usembassy.gov/durban-u-s-consulate/
Visas:
Tel: 087 550-2160
Email: ConsularSouthAfrica@state.gov
Web: za.usembassy.gov/visas/
The Consulate in Johannesburg:
Non-Immigrant Visa services for Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North-West Provinces
Immigrant Visa services for all provinces, and for applicants from Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
The Consulate in Cape Town:
Non-Immigrant visas only for Eastern, Northern & Western Cape Provinces, and St. Helena & Dependencies
The Consulate in Durban:
Non-Immigrant visas only for Kwazulu-Natal Province
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 20; Feb 17; May 26; Jun 19; Jul 4; Sep 1; Oct 13; Nov 11, 27; Dec 25 (Individual states may have additional holidays)
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 19; Feb 16; May 25; Jun 19; Jul 3-4; Sep 7; Oct 13; Nov 11, 26; Dec 25 (Individual states may have additional holidays)
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
- All visa applicants between 14 - 79 years are to apply for their visa in person for an interview.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The U.S. visa application process in South Africa is two-fold:
STEP 1: Each applicant must complete the online visa application form (DS160) at ceac.state.gov/genniv. The confirmation page with barcode must be printed and taken to your interview.
Non-immigrant visa types:
(B) Visitor (Business, Tourism, Medical)
(C) Transit
(D) Crew Member
STEP 2: Pay and schedule your U.S. visa appointment at ais.usvisa-info.com
INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS FOR DS160
Note
- The application form takes approximately 90 minutes to complete
- Write down the Application ID displayed on the top right hand corner of the page. If you close your browser window, you will need your ID to access your application again.
- Save your application frequently. The system will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity, and you will lose all unsaved information
- Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation screen with barcode. This page should be printed and taken to your interview.
- You can create a family / group application at the end of the first application. This will pre-populate some of the fields. Each individual must have their own application.
- You electronically sign your DS-160 by clicking the “Sign Application” button at the end of the form
Documents Required
- Passport (valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States)
- Travel itinerary, if you have already made travel arrangements.
- Photo - digital, colour, taken within last 6 months. Refer to the requirements on the website.
- Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States, if you have previously travelled to the United States. You may also be asked for your international travel history for the past five years.
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae - You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history.
- Other Information - Some applicants, depending on the intended purpose of travel, will be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
Visa Interviews are by appointment only. Interviews are during weekdays only.
- Current Passport valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond departure date from US.
- Passport containing the most recently issued U.S. visa (if applicable)
- All visa applicants must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number (starting with AA) that matches the one used to make their appointment online.
- Confirmation and Instructions page printed from ais.usvisa-info.com
- One 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) color photo taken within the last 6 months.
- If you are attending an appointment in person, you must bring original documents
Additional supporting documents showing evidence of:
- The purpose of your trip (eg, travel itinerary)
- Your intent to depart the United States after your trip (Evidence of your employment and/or family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country)
- Your ability to pay all the costs of your trip (If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all of the costs for your trip)
Collections:
- Document collection can be arranged via courier or third party.
Visa Cost
Visa Type B, C, D: US$ 185
Visa Fees may be paid via cash or credit card. If paying cash, follow the instructions on ais.usvisa-info.com.
All visa fees are non-refundable and are valid for 365 days. If an appointment is not made within 365 days, the visa fee will expire.
SA Representative
South African Embassy, Washington
3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: +1 (240) 937 5760
Email: info.saembassydc@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.saembassy.org
South African Consulate General in Los Angeles
6300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel: +1 (323) 651 0902
Email: consular.la@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.southafrica-usa.net/losangeles
South African Consulate-General in New York
845 Third Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022
Tel: +1 (212) 692 2401
Email: Consular.NY@dirco.gov.za
Web: southafrica-usa.net
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
