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    Embassies and consulates · South Africa · Johannesburg

    Student and exchange visas at Johannesburg

    As of September 17, 2026, the State Department lists a 15 days wait for the next student and exchange visa appointment at Johannesburg, 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

    Johannesburg student wait over time

    Johannesburg has ranged same day to 3 months 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 – 3 monthsSep 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 Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg

    Johannesburg issued 44 student and exchange visas in February 2026, 79% fewer than February 2025 (208). 1,939 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 Johannesburg each month, October 2022 to February 2026. The monthly figures are listed below the chart.02004006002023202420252026
    Monthly figures
    MonthVisas issued
    Feb 202644
    Jan 202695
    Dec 2025133
    Nov 202574
    Oct 2025125
    Sep 2025103
    Aug 2025197
    Jul 2025230
    Jun 2025186
    May 2025285
    Apr 2025284
    Mar 2025183
    Feb 2025208
    Jan 2025236
    Dec 2024187
    Nov 2024197
    Oct 2024163
    Sep 2024158
    Aug 2024206
    Jul 2024457
    Jun 2024364
    May 2024354
    Apr 2024314
    Mar 2024187
    Feb 2024189
    Jan 2024280
    Dec 2023224
    Nov 2023252
    Oct 2023210
    Sep 2023163
    Aug 2023309
    Jul 2023359
    Jun 2023372
    May 2023465
    Apr 2023342
    Mar 2023198
    Feb 2023161
    Jan 2023199
    Dec 2022183
    Nov 2022253
    Oct 2022180
    Visa classFeb 2026Feb 2025Past 12 monthsSum of monthly reports, not an official total
    J1Exchange visitor371791,105
    F1Academic student712755
    J2Exchange visitor's spouse or child0643
    F2Academic student's spouse or child01018
    M1Vocational student0118

    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 Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg

    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.