30 Min Strategic Advice
R590
Proof of funds evaluation, Form I-20 review and sponsor document checks for your US visa.
Book Strategic AdviceExpect to pay about R7,200 in government fees: the $185 MRV interview fee (~R3,000) plus the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee (~R4,200) for designated categories. The DS-160 form is free. You must also show proof of funds, about R33,000 - R80,000 in liquid savings for a short B1/B2 trip.
Get your costs, bank statements and sponsor documents checked before the embassy does.
R590
Proof of funds evaluation, Form I-20 review and sponsor document checks for your US visa.
Book Strategic AdviceQuick videos on this topic from the Visa Planner Online YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
The 2026 cost breakdown of a US visa application from South Africa, so there are no surprise fees.
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For parents funding an F1 degree: the documentation needed to pass the proof of funds check.
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What proof of funds to show when visiting the USA, and why there is no single fixed amount.
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The government fees below are what you pay before the interview. Rand amounts are estimates and move with the exchange rate on the day you pay.
Free to complete online.
$185 USD (about R3,000).
$250 USD (about R4,200) for designated categories.
$435 USD, about R7,200 per applicant for designated categories.
The fees are only part of the real cost. Consular officers also check that you can afford the trip or studies without sudden, unverified deposits.
Consular officers at the US Embassy in Johannesburg and the Consulate in Cape Town check whether your declared trip costs match your bank statements. They are looking for steady, explainable money, not sudden lump-sum deposits (a “bank seasoning” red flag).
Your total trip budget should be a reasonable fraction of your liquid savings. If your trip costs R30,000, your bank statement should comfortably show more than that.
Provide 3 to 6 months of stamped bank statements showing steady salary or business earnings, not large deposits made right before your appointment.
For parents and sponsors, the Form I-20 sets the standard you are measured against.
The Form I-20 issued by the US institution sets your minimum financial requirement, combining tuition, living expenses and health insurance.
If you are using a financial institution loan, present the official, signed loan approval letter at the embassy window.
Parents acting as financial sponsors must provide official salary slips, employment confirmation letters and SARS tax returns.
Avoid costly refusals caused by unclear bank records or mismatched DS-160 entries. In a 30 Min Strategic Advice session we go through your bank statements line by line, review your Form I-20 and check your sponsor documents before you walk into the interview.
Related reading: US visa rejected: how to reapply and prepare for the interview, social media vetting and US visa rejection, our blog on proof of funds for a US visa, and the complete South Africa US Visa Guidance Hub.