South Africa passport → United States

Do South African citizens need a visa for the United States?

Visa required in advance

South African passport holders need a visa for the United States, applied for in advance at an embassy, consulate or visa application centre.

What this means for your trip

Book an appointment with the embassy, consulate or its visa centre early. Waits can be long in peak season.
Typical documents: application form, photos, bank statements, ITR, employment letter, bookings and travel insurance.
If you already hold certain other visas, a simpler route may apply. Check the section below.

Get trip-ready for the United States

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United States at a glance

Capital: Washington D.C.
Currency: United States dollar (USD)
Languages: English
Calling code: +1
Region: Northern America

Read the United States travel guide →

Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World.

US38.0°N · 97.0°WPhoto: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

National parks, big cities and road trips between themGrand Canyon · New York City · Yosemite National Park

United States for other passports

South AfricaVisa required
IndiaVisa required
United KingdomeTA90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa required
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeeTA90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaVisa-free180 days

Nearby in Northern America for South African passport holders

CanadaVisa required

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for the United States?

South African passport holders need a visa for the United States, applied for in advance at an embassy, consulate or visa application centre.

How long can South African citizens stay in the United States?

The allowed stay depends on the visa you are granted. Check the decision letter or entry stamp.

Can South African citizens get a visa on arrival in the United States?

Not under the standard rules.

How many countries can South African citizens visit without a visa?

93 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The South Africa passport ranks #47 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.