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    Embassies and consulates · South Africa · Cape Town

    Student and exchange visas at Cape Town

    As of September 17, 2026, the State Department lists a 15 days wait for the next student and exchange visa appointment at Cape Town, against a median of 15 days. 0 of 186 posts list a shorter wait.

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2026-09-17

    Cape Town student wait over time

    Cape Town has ranged same day to 1 month across 24 months on record, so treat today's figure as a snapshot rather than a guarantee. The median over that time was 15 days.

    Jul 24same day – 1 monthSep 26

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-09-17 · Coverage 2022-11/2026-09

    Check whether a Cape Town appointment fits your program start date →

    The same wait elsewhere in South Africa

    Student and exchange (F, M, J), from the same State Department table. Applicants can usually interview at any post in their country of residence.

    Student and exchange visas issued at Cape Town

    Cape Town issued 81 student and exchange visas in February 2026, 24% fewer than February 2025 (106). 1,578 over the past 12 months (sum of monthly reports, not an official total). The count covers F-1, M-1, J-1 and their dependants.

    Nonimmigrant visas issued at Cape Town each month, October 2022 to February 2026. The monthly figures are listed below the chart.01002003002023202420252026
    Monthly figures
    MonthVisas issued
    Feb 202681
    Jan 202698
    Dec 2025112
    Nov 2025150
    Oct 202581
    Sep 202546
    Aug 2025107
    Jul 2025176
    Jun 2025119
    May 2025241
    Apr 2025220
    Mar 2025147
    Feb 2025106
    Jan 2025171
    Dec 2024121
    Nov 2024153
    Oct 2024137
    Sep 202486
    Aug 2024133
    Jul 2024215
    Jun 2024172
    May 2024218
    Apr 2024226
    Mar 2024112
    Feb 202496
    Jan 202492
    Dec 2023100
    Nov 2023142
    Oct 2023151
    Sep 2023134
    Aug 2023127
    Jul 2023167
    Jun 2023146
    May 2023269
    Apr 202393
    Mar 202379
    Feb 202352
    Jan 202399
    Dec 202297
    Nov 2022102
    Oct 2022169
    Visa classFeb 2026Feb 2025Past 12 monthsSum of monthly reports, not an official total
    J1Exchange visitor68681,027
    F1Academic student1238509
    M1Vocational student1023
    J2Exchange visitor's spouse or child0012
    F2Academic student's spouse or child007

    Sources: U.S. Department of State: Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuances and U.S. Department of State: Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuances · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2022-10/2026-02

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    Student and exchange (F, M, J): 15 days now

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    What F-1 Student Visa applicants report being asked

    These figures come from 440 interview reports that applicants shared publicly, at every post rather than Cape Town alone. They describe who chose to report, not every applicant.

    53%

    Education questions

    In about 235 reports

    31%

    Financial questions

    In about 135 reports

    21%

    Employment questions

    In about 90 reports

    Source: Visa Interviews Research release 2026.07.18-us-v1 · Published 2026-07-18 · Coverage 2024-03 to 2026-07Every F-1 Student Visa finding →

    Other visas at Cape Town

    Where these figures come from

    The State Department publishes each of these separately, on its own schedule. We show each one with its own date and never add figures from one to another.