U.S. Department of State Seal
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

South Africa

South Africa
Republic of South Africa

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V Y
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 36 Months
A-2 None Multiple 36 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 36 Months
F-2 None Multiple 36 Months
G-1 None Multiple 36 Months
G-2 None Multiple 36 Months
G-3 None Multiple 36 Months
G-4 None Multiple 36 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 36 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 36 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 36 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 36 Months 3
H-2R $70.00 Multiple 36 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 36 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 36 Months 3
I None Multiple 36 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 36 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 36 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 36 Months
L-2 None Multiple 36 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 36 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 36 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 36 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 36 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 36 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 36 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 36 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 36 Months
R-2 None Multiple 36 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 60 Months
V-2 None Multiple 60 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 60 Months 8

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /
  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

All citizens and permanent residents of South Africa must have an identity document.

  • Applications for civil documents can be faster if you provide the applicant's ID Number.

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: The first Unabridged Birth Certificate issued is free.

  • Certified copies and replacements cost between R20.00 (Twenty Rand) to R70.00 (Seventy Rand)

Document Name: Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority: Department of Home Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 paper with the Department of Home Affairs logo in the upper left corner.  The border is green with an RSA watermark.

  • The Unabridged Birth Certificate is required.
  • Older documents are yellow and only show the Department of Home Affairs logo in the upper left corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Home Affairs

Registration Criteria: All children born in South Africa must be registered within 30 days of their birth (required by the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992).

  • If a birth is not registered within 30 days, it is considered a late birth registration. For late birth registrations, additional requirements apply.

How to Get a Birth Certificate: Applicants must:

  1. Complete Form BI-24 (Use black ink only).
  2. If you are in South Africa, submit it to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs
  3. If you are in another country, submit it to the embassy, mission or consulate.

Certified Copies: Certified true copy available from the Department of Home Affairs.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: The first Unabridged Death Certificate issued is free.

  • Certified copies and replacements cost between R20.00 (Twenty Rand) to R70.00 (Seventy Rand)

Document Name: Death Certificate

Issuing Authority: Department of Home Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 paper with the Department of Home Affairs logo in the upper left corner.  The border is green with an RSA watermark.

  • The Unabridged Birth Certificate is required.
  • Older documents are yellow and only show the Department of Home Affairs logo in the upper left corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Home Affairs

Registration Criteria: The Births and Deaths Registration Act requires that a person’s death must be reported to any one of these people or organizations:

  • Specific officers at the Department of Home Affairs
  • South African Police Service members, especially in areas where the Department of Home Affairs does not have offices
  • South African mission, embassy or consulate, if the death occurred in another country
  • Funeral undertakers who are appointed and recognized by the law

How to Get a Death Certificate: Complete Form BI-1663. These people must complete different sections of the form:

  1. The person reporting the death
  2. A medical practitioner.
    • In places where a medical practitioner is not available to complete the form (Rural areas for example) a traditional leader may complete it.
  3. A Home Affairs official
    • In places where an official from the Department of Home Affairs is not available, a member of the South African Police Services may complete it.
  4. A Death Report (Form BI-1680) will be issued after a death is registered.
    • This report can be issued only by someone authorized by the Department of Home Affairs. This  includes traditional leaders, members of the South African Police Services and authorized undertakers).
  5. These designated people may also issue burial orders. A burial cannot take place unless it is authorized by a burial order (Form BI-14).

Certified Copies: Certified true copies are available from the Department of Home Affairs.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: The first Unabridged Marriage Certificate issued is free.

  • Certified copies and replacements cost between R20.00 (Twenty Rand) to R70.00 (Seventy Rand)

Document Name: Marriage Certificate

Issuing Authority: Department of Home Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 paper with Department of Home Affairs logo in the upper left corner. Green border with an RSA watermark.

  • Older documents are yellow and only present the Department of Home Affairs logo in the upper left corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Home Affairs

Registration Criteria: There are three different laws that govern how a marriage may be formed in South Africa:

  1. The Marriage Act, 1961: Allows for the validity of a civil or religious marriage between a man and a woman
  2. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998: Allows for the registration of marriages under African customary law
  3. The Civil Union Act, 2006: Allows for the validity a civil or religious marriage or a civil partnership between two people regardless of their sex, thus making same-sex marriage legal in South Africa. The legal consequences of a marriage under the Civil Union Act are the same as those of a marriage under the Marriage Act.

People can only be married under one of these laws at a time.

  • There is an exception for a couples in a monogamous (one-to-one) customary marriage. They can contract a marriage with each other under the Marriage Act.

How to Get a Marriage Certificate: 

To obtain a long-form marriage certificate, applicants must apply to the Department of Home Affairs: www.dha.gov.za, Private Bag X114, Pretoria 0001.

The request must state:

  1. That you are asking for a long-form marriage certificate in the English language.
  2. The full names of the parties
  3. The date of the marriage
  4. The place where the marriage took place(In other words, the name of the magisterial district where the church or registry office was located.
  5. The prior marital status of both parties.

Note: If the marriage certificate is not in English, the applicant must also submit an English translation.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Only unabridged long-form marriage certificates are acceptable.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: Fees can vary.

Document Name: The names of documents can be different.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of the High Court or at Regional divisions of the Magistrate's Courts

Registration Criteria: Vary

How to get a Divorce Certificate: The ways to get divorce certificate can be different.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Available

Fees: R70.00 (Seventy Rand)

Document Name: Amendment to Birth Registration  

Issuing Authority: Department of Home Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: See Birth, Death and Burial Certificates

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Home Affairs

Registration Criteria: Certified copy of the adoption order

How to Get an Adoption Certificate: 

  1. Complete Form BI-193
  2. Submit a written request to record the adoption to any domestic Department of Home Affairs office.
  3. Submit a certified copy of the adoption order.
  4. Pay the fee required to record an adoption.

Certified Copies: Certified true copies are available from the Department of Home Affairs.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Comments: Under section 25 of the Child Care Act, 1983 (Act No. 74 of 1983), the Department of Home Affairs must record the adoption of a child in the child’s birth register if requested by the adoptive parents.

  • Important: The Department of Home Affairs is only responsible for recording of the adoption of a child in the child’s birth register if requested by the adoptive parents.
  • Any other adoption matters are the duties of the Department of Social Development (Previously called the Welfare & Population Development).

Available

Fees: R140.00 (One hundred and forty Rand)

Document Name: Smart ID Card

Issuing Authority: Department of Home Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Republic of South Africa Flag. Mostly white with a fine line background design printed as a rainbow image. Landscape layout.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Home Affairs

Registration Criteria: 

  1. Form BI-9 (Complete it in black ink)
  2. Certified copy of Birth Certificate or
    • Reference book or
    • A copy of the old Transkei, Bophutatswana, Venda or Ciskei homelands identity or
    • Travel document
  3. Two identical color photographs
    • They are not needed at Smartcard offices because ID images are made digitally
    • However color photographs are still needed for temporary IDs
  4. Naturalized citizens and permanent residence permit holders:

You must attach these documents to your application form:

  • Your naturalization certificate and a copy, which will be certified by Home Affairs
  • Your permanent residency certificate and a copy, which will be certified by Home Affairs
  • Your exemption certificate and a copy, which will be certified by Home Affairs
  • Form BI-1620, which must be completed at a Home Affairs office
  • If the permanent residence permit or exemption certificate cannot be provided, you must complete Form BI-829 to get a duplicate.
  • If the naturalization certificate cannot be furnished, you must apply for a duplicate before you submit the ID book application.

How to Get an Identify Card: 

  1. You can apply for a Smart ID Card at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or any South African mission or consulate overseas.
  2. All applications are sent to the Department’s head office in Pretoria. There, your fingerprints will be matched with those already on record or entered into the National Population Register.
  3. Your application will be processed and when your Smart ID card is issued, it will be sent to the office where you made your application. You can collect it there.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Police Records

Available

Fees: R59.00 (Fifty-nine Rand)

Document Name: Clearance Certificate

Issuing Authority: South African Police Service

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White paper with a South African Police Service seal in the upper center of the page in blue/yellow.

  • It should read South African Police Service Clearance Certificate.
  • A date stamp should be placed in the lower right corner of the page.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: South African Police Service

Registration Criteria: Criminal records that have covered the entire Republic since 1901 are kept at the South African Police Headquarters, Pretoria.

  • The Commissioner of the South African Police issues certificates upon application
  • They state whether or not a criminal record exists, and, if so, particulars of the offense and any sentence passed.

The police authorities require applicants to present:

  1. Verification of identity, such as a Book of Life, or valid passport
  2. Payment of R59.00 (fifty-nine rand) in cash, or by cheque or postal order, made payable to the South African police.

How to Get Police Records: 

To get a certificate issued in single copy only, fingerprints must be taken by the local police in the applicant's place of residence.

  • The South African police forward the completed fingerprint chart and the fee to the head office in Pretoria for issuance of the police clearance certificate.

Applicants living in the in the United States must forward:

  1. A bank draft in the amount of R59.00 and
  2. A completed fingerprint chart that has an official signature and stamp of the local police station. Send the bank draft and fingerprints to:

    South African Police Service
    Criminal Record Centre
    Private Bang X308
    Pretoria 0001, South Africa

  3. Alternatively, applicants can authorize a friend or relative in South Africa to submit the application for them.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

 

Court Records

Available

Fees: Unavailable

Document Name: Can vary

Issuing Authority: Can vary

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seal(s) or color/formats.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of the High Court or at Regional divisions of the Magistrate's Courts

Registration Criteria: Vary

How to Get a Court Record: 

  • Address requests to the magistrate's court in the magisterial district where the trial took place.
  • The applicant’s full name and the date of the trial are required.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

 

Prison Records

Available

Fees: Unavailable

Document Name: Prison Record

Issuing Authority: Department of Correctional Services

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seal(s), color or formats.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services

Registration Criteria: Vary

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to the provincial office of the Department of Correctional Service.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Military Records

Available

Fees: Unavailable

Document Name: Varies

Issuing Authority: Unavailable

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formats.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Unavailable

Registration Criteria: Unavailable

How to Get Military Records:

People who have served in the armed forces after World War II:

Write to the regiment you were attached to. Give your:

  1. Full name
  2. Date of birth
  3. Military number

People who served in World War II:

Non-officers received discharge certificates on Discharge Form D.D.342, size 6-1/4 x 8-3/4, written in English on both sides. They include a description of the final discharge signed by the appropriate military official.

Officers received release certificates on Release Form D.D.201, titled Release Certificate (Officer), size 8" x 6-1/2", written in English on one side, Afrikaans on the other. They include the dispersal office date stamp in the lower left-hand corner and were signed by the O.C., Dispersal Depot.

  1. Applications must be made to the Chief of Staff, Personnel (War Records), P/B X281, Pretoria 0001. They must include:
  2. Your full name
  3. Date of birth
  4. S.A. identity number
  5. Military number

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Available

Types Available:

  1. Passports:
    • Regular
    • Diplomatic
    • Official
  2. Emergency Travel Certificate

Fees: 

  • Passports: R600.00 (Six hundred Rand)
  • Emergency Travel Certificates: R140.00 (One hundred and forty Rand)

Document Name: Passport or Emergency Travel Certificate

Issuing Government Authority: Department of Home Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular passports are Green, Official navy blue, and Diplomatic passports are maroon.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Home Affairs

Registration Criteria: Applicants must have a South African identity number.

How to Get a Passport or Emergency Travel Certificate: 

  • File an application
  • Pay the fee
  • File supporting documents (expired passport).

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available.

Not applicable.

Post Title:  U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg

Address: 1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst

Phone Number: +27 (11) 290-3000

Visa Services: All visa categories (including all Follow-to-Join Refugees and Asylees)

 

Post Title: U.S. Consulate General Cape Town

Address: 2 Reddam Ave, Westlake

Phone Number: +27 (11) 702-7300

Visa Services: Nonimmigrant visas only

 

Post Title: U.S. Consulate General Durban

Address: 303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street, 31st Floor, Delta Towers

Phone Number: +27 (31) 310-3300

Visa Services: Nonimmigrant visas only

Johannesburg provides all immigrant visas.

Nonimmigrant visas are provided according to this list:

Location

  1. Johannesburg

    Areas Served
    • Gauteng Province
    • Free State
    • Mpumalanga Province
    • Northern Province
    • Northwestern Province
       
  2. Cape Town

    Areas Served
    • Eastern Cape Province
    • Northern Cape Province
    • Western Cape Province
    • St. Helena and Dependencies
       
  3. Durban

    Area Served
    • Kwazulu-Natal Province

 

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.