USA Issuing Authorities ISSUING AUTHORITIES: American Consulate-General - Johannesburg 1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst 2091 P O Box 787197,SANDTON 2146 Tel: (011) 290 3000 Fax: (011) 884 0396 E-mail: consularjohannesburg@state.gov web: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-za/niv American Consulate General - Cape Town 2 Reddam Avenue,Westlake, 7945 Tel: (021) 702 7300 Fax: (021) 702 7493 (They only take calls between 1100-1200 every day) Visa info call centre number : 087 550 2160 (0800-2000 daily) E-mail: consularcapetown@state.gov Web:https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ZA/niv Fridays closed to the public American Consulate General - Durban Delta Towers 31st Floor 303 Dr Pixley KeSame Street, DURBAN 4001 Tel: (031) 305-7600 Fax: (031) 305-7691 E-mail: consulardurban@state.gov http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 10
Visa Requirements Visas are required by SA passport holders. All visa applicants between 14-79 years are to apply for their visa in person. All these applicants have to be fingerprinted. Please be aware that a specific type of LOCK is compulsory when traveling to the USA. See your local travel shop. These locks are also sold at all airports. Information for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants: Visa Interviews are by appointment only. Interviews are during weekdays only. Contact the VISC on 087 5502160 between 0800-2000 Mon-Fri or visit http://southafrica.usvisa-info.com STEP ONE: Complete the online visa application form (DS160) (per applicant) using the URL: http://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and print the application form bar-coded confirmation page to bring to your interview. The bar-coded number is required to schedule an appointment. Photo You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained on their website. STEP TWO: Pay and schedule your US Visa appointment on: http://www.usvisa-info.com You will be able to pay the MRV fee and schedule an appointment using either a credit card for immediate payment or you can download the deposit slip for cash payment. If payment is by credit card, contact the VISC or visit the website to make payment and schedule an appointment. If paying by cash, after completing the DS-160 form, go onto the call centre website where you will receive a unique deposit slip instruction sheet for your cash payment at an ABSA branch, which you will receive an email for yourself to print out. Take this deposit slip to the ABSA branch. Once the paymet has been cleared, revisit the website with the deposit receipt MRV number to schedule your appointment. For more info visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com Please note that STEP ONE and STEP TWO websites are not linked - so create the account on STEP 2 website. NOTE : Bring to Your Interview: A valid passport (valid minimum 6 months) which has unused visa pages (not amendment http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 10
pages).(minimum of 2 blank pages in the passport) Please bring all prior passports. The application confirmation page from the DS-160. The appointment confirmation page. A recent front-facing, 50 mm x 50 mm photograph of each applicant. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Photo You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements. Additional Documentation May Be Required Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of: The purpose of your trip; Your intent to depart the U.S. after your trip; and/or Your ability to pay all costs of the trip. Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip. Please Note: Plane Tickets: Applicants should obtain a visa BEFORE purchasing tickets or making irrevocable travel plans. VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME: PLEASE NOTE THAT SAA HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST OF CARRIERS PARTICIPATING IN THE U.S.VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME. CONSEQUENTLY, CITIZENS OF 34 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAMME (N.B. SOUTH AFRICA IS NOT AMONG THEM) NO LONGER NEED VISAS TO ENTER THE U.S. ON THE DIRECT SAA FLIGHTS TO NEW YORK and ATLANTA, PROVIDED THEY MEET ALL OF THE OTHER CONDITIONS. The visa waiver programme enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. See: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ for more information http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 10
Visa Processing Time 5-6 working days Please allow for delays during busy periods. It is advisable to apply for visas well in advance. Applicants are advised to apply for visas as soon as they know they are planning to travel to the USA in order to facilitate application process. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 10
Visa Cost Visa application fee is determined by the type of visa being applied for. Non-Immigrant visa applicants are to pay the Non-Immigrant visa application processing fee (MRV) prior to scheduling an appointment through this service (cash or credit card). Fee is non-refundable. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 10
SA Representative South African Embassy Web: http://www.saembassy.org http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 10
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio The USA is a vast country to explore, with 50 states to choose from, each unique in so many ways. It is flanked by two oceans and covers an incredibly varied terrain. Expansive plains, snow-covered mountain ranges, forested rolling hills, deserts, strange rock formations, soaring skyscrapers, stunning coastlines, impressive national parks and a thriving cultural scene; the USA has it all, plus some. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan's unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger joints, the vast expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas. Capital: Currency: Language: Dialling code from SA: Washington, DC. (WAS) US Dollar (USD) English + 1 http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 10
Time Zones: UTC/GMT 10 to UTC/ GMT - 5 Hawaii Time Zone: UTC/GMT -10 hours (NO DST) (12 hours behind South Africa) Alaska Time Zone: UTC/GMT -9 hours (DST from Second Sunday March 1st Sunday November, UTC/ GMT -8 hours) (11 hours behind South Africa / DST: 10 hours behind South Africa) Pacific Time Zone: UTC/GMT -8 hours (DST from Second Sunday March 1st Sunday November, UTC/ GMT -7 hours) (10 hours behind South Africa / DST: 9 hours behind South Africa) Mountain Time Zone: UTC/GMT -7 hours (DST from Second Sunday March 1st Sunday November, UTC/ GMT -6 hours) (9 hours behind South Africa / DST: 8 hours behind South Africa) Central Time Zone: UTC/GMT -6 hours (DST from Second Sunday March 1st Sunday November, UTC/ GMT -5 hours) (8 hours behind South Africa / DST: 7 hours behind South Africa) Eastern Time Zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours (DST from Second Sunday March 1st Sunday November, UTC/ GMT -4 hours) (7 hours behind South Africa / DST: 6 hours behind South Africa) Public Holidays 2018: Side of the Road: Best time to go: Best For: Plugs: Jan 1, 15; Feb 19; May 28; Jul 4; Sep 3; Oct 8; Nov 11, 12, 23; Dec 25 (individual states may have additional holidays) Right Depends largely on which part of USA you would be visiting, As a general rule, spring (March May) and Autumn (September October) are the better months. June August are the summer months and temperatures can be very warm. Spring and Autumn are more comfortable. Summer is also a peak travel time. Broadway, Las Vegas, Disney World 120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 10
Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If on prescription medication, it is advised to bring sufficient medication for the entire trip with accompanying doctors certificate. Normal social courtesies. Smoking is illegal in most public places. Alcohol drinking age is 21. NOTE: due to increased security measures, passengers flying to USA should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of time. Duty Free: The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars. 1L of alcoholic beverage. Goods up to a value of US$800 (returning residents who have been out of the country for at least 48 hours; this limit is applicable once in a 30-day period and is reduced to US$200 for travellers who have already used the allowance or have been out of the USA for less than 48 hours). Travellers arriving from certain Caribbean and Latin American countries may import up to 2L of alcoholic beverages, as long as at least 1L was produced in one of the applicable countries. US residents returning from a US insular possession (American Samoa, Guam or US Virgin Islands) have a duty-free allowance of US$1,600, including up to 1,000 cigarettes (at least 800 of which must have been bought in the insular possession) and 5L of alcoholic beverages, one of which must be a product of the insular possession. Further information on US customs regulations is available online (www.cbp.gov). http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 9 of 10
Prohibited Imports: Prohibited Exports: The following are either banned or may only be imported under licence: Narcotics and dangerous drugs, unless for medicalpurposes (doctor's certificate required). Absinthe. Biological materials, some seeds, fruits and plants (including endangered species of plants and vegetables and their products). Firearms and ammunition (with some exceptions - consult the customs website). Meat and poultry products - fresh, dried or canned. Certain fish (unless certified as disease free). Dairy products and eggs. Wildlife and endangered species, including crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, game and hunting trophies and crafted articles of any part thereof. Dog and cat fur. Some art and artefacts. Haitian animal hide drums. Some automobiles. More than one article (limited to once every 30 days) displaying a counterfeit or confusingly similar logo to trademarked and copyrighted articles. Merchandise from embargoed countries: Cuba, Iran, Myanmar and most of Sudan; information materials (pamphlets, books, tapes, films and recordings) are permitted. Items of archaeological, historical religious or scientific importance that are illegally removed from specific locations in Iraq. Weapons and drugs. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2752-usa-country-guide&print=1 Page 10 of 10