Visa InterviewsResearch

Embassies and consulates · South Africa · Johannesburg

Visitor visas at Johannesburg

As of September 17, 2026, the State Department lists a 1 month wait for the next visitor visa appointment at Johannesburg, against a median of 1 month. 86 of 187 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

The same wait elsewhere in South Africa

Visitor (B-1/B-2), next available, from the same State Department table. Applicants can usually interview at any post in their country of residence.

Visitor visas issued at Johannesburg

Johannesburg issued 808 visitor visas in February 2026, 59% fewer than February 2025 (1,978). 14,107 over the past 12 months (sum of monthly reports, not an official total). The count covers B-1, B-2 and border crossing cards.

Nonimmigrant visas issued at Johannesburg each month, October 2022 to February 2026. The monthly figures are listed below the chart.01k2k3k4k2023202420252026
Monthly figures
MonthVisas issued
Feb 2026808
Jan 20261,196
Dec 20251,016
Nov 2025912
Oct 20251,415
Sep 20251,049
Aug 2025781
Jul 20251,081
Jun 20251,408
May 20251,632
Apr 20251,470
Mar 20251,339
Feb 20251,978
Jan 20251,793
Dec 20241,039
Nov 20241,608
Oct 20242,163
Sep 20242,310
Aug 20242,521
Jul 20243,051
Jun 20241,966
May 20241,862
Apr 20242,481
Mar 20241,596
Feb 20241,791
Jan 20242,104
Dec 20231,360
Nov 20232,061
Oct 20232,073
Sep 20232,423
Aug 20232,727
Jul 20232,523
Jun 20232,104
May 20232,134
Apr 20232,256
Mar 20232,255
Feb 20231,926
Jan 20231,924
Dec 20221,405
Nov 20223,095
Oct 20222,899
Visa classFeb 2026Feb 2025Past 12 monthsSum of monthly reports, not an official total
B1/B2Business and tourism visitor8041,97113,996
B1Business visitor4785
B2Tourist0026

Visitor visa refusal rate for South Africa nationals

The State Department publishes refusal rates by nationality, counting applicants at every post, not by post. A refusal is what applicants usually call a visa rejection. This is the rate for nationals of South Africa wherever they applied, not a rate for Johannesburg.

Adjusted B visa refusal rate, FY2025

11.66%

Ranks 161 of 199 nationalities, highest first.

How the rate is calculated →

Source: U.S. Department of State: Adjusted Refusal Rate, B-Visas by Nationality · Retrieved 2026-07-24 · Coverage FY2025

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Visitor (B-1/B-2), next available: 1 month now

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What B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa applicants report being asked

These figures come from 205 interview reports that applicants shared publicly, at every post rather than Johannesburg alone. They describe who chose to report, not every applicant.

59%

Travel purpose questions

In about 120 reports

28%

Current employment

In about 60 reports

25%

Purpose of visit

In about 50 reports

Source: Visa Interviews Research release 2026.07.18-us-v1 · Published 2026-07-18 · Coverage 2024-03 to 2026-07Every B-1/B-2 Visitor 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.