US Visa Application Service for South Africans
A consultant prepares the application, assembles the documents and books your appointment. You get a written quote first, free and with no obligation.
South Africans need a visa for the United States. For tourism and business that is the B1/B2 visitor visa, which is typically issued for ten years and allows multiple entries.
Two things make the US different from most applications: the DS-160 form is unforgiving of inconsistency, and you sit a face-to-face interview at the embassy or consulate. The interview is short, and it is where the decision is made.
What the application involves
The DS-160 form
It is long, it covers your full travel and employment history, and it cannot be meaningfully corrected once submitted. Errors and contradictions surface at the interview, where you will be asked about them. We complete it with you and check it line by line.
Booking the interview
Interviews are held at the consulate in Johannesburg or Cape Town, and wait times move considerably through the year. We identify the earliest realistic slot and book it, and tell you honestly if your travel dates do not fit.
Interview preparation
The interview is brief and direct. You will be asked why you are going, who is paying, what you do, and what brings you back. We go through the questions actually asked and how to answer them clearly and consistently with your DS-160.
Evidence of ties to South Africa
US law starts from the presumption that visitor visa applicants intend to immigrate, and it is on you to overcome it. Employment, property, family and financial commitments here are the evidence that does that.
Why United States applications get refused
- Answers at the interview that contradict the DS-160
- No convincing evidence of employment, family or property ties to South Africa
- An unclear or inconsistent account of who is funding the trip
- Previous visa refusals or immigration issues not properly declared
- A trip purpose that does not match the visa category applied for
Every one of these is fixable before you submit, but only if someone catches it.
When to start
Interview waiting times are the constraint and they vary widely through the year. Start early: this is the destination where late applications most often mean a missed trip.
What we do
- An initial consultation covering your destination, your purpose of travel and your personal circumstances
- A document checklist tailored to your case, not a generic list off the internet
- Collation and review of every document before it goes anywhere
- Completion of the application forms, checked with you
- Your biometrics or appointment slot booked at the relevant visa centre
- Preparation for your appointment, and for the interview where one is required
- Support from a consultant who handles these applications daily, until a decision comes back
What we don't do
- Embassy, consulate and visa-centre fees. These are paid by you, directly to them, and are separate from our service fee.
- Travel insurance, flights and accommodation.
- Attending your appointment. You submit your own application in person and give your own biometrics. No agent may do this for you.
- A guaranteed outcome. The decision belongs to the consulate. What we change is how well prepared your application is when it reaches them.
What it costs
GetVisa is a paid professional service. Fees depend on the destination, the visa type and how many people are travelling, so we quote per application rather than publishing a single price. You get a written quote before any work starts. The quote itself is free and carries no obligation.
Questions about applying for United States
Yes. The interview is in person and nobody can attend on your behalf. What we do is prepare you thoroughly for it, so nothing asked is a surprise.
A B1/B2 visa for South Africans is commonly issued for ten years with multiple entries, though the length granted is at the consular officer’s discretion. How long you may stay on each visit is decided separately at the border.
Yes, always, and it must be declared on the DS-160. Undeclared refusals are discovered and cause far more damage than the original refusal. A reapplication should address what went wrong the first time.
We quote per application, since it depends on how many people are travelling and what is involved. The quote is free and there is no obligation. Embassy fees are separate and paid by you directly.
Just looking for the requirements? Our United States visa requirements page is free to read and has the entry rules, stay lengths and documents.
Get a quote for your United States application
Tell us about your trip and we will tell you what is involved, what it costs and whether your timing is realistic.