How much does it cost to study in the USA?

Roughly USD 10,000–30,000 a year in tuition at public universities for international students and USD 35,000–65,000 or more at private universities, plus USD 12,000–25,000 in living costs and compulsory health insurance. Community colleges are much cheaper and credits can often transfer.

What is the Form I-20 and how do I get it?

It is the certificate of eligibility issued by a SEVP-certified US school after you accept an offer and prove you can fund the first year. You cannot pay the SEVIS fee or attend the visa interview without it.

How much are the US student visa fees?

The SEVIS I-901 fee is USD 350 for F-1 students and the DS-160 visa application fee is USD 185 at the time of writing. Both are paid before the interview and are non-refundable if the visa is refused.

Can I work on an F-1 visa?

You may work on campus up to 20 hours a week during term. Off-campus work needs authorisation: CPT during study and OPT for up to 12 months after graduation, with a 24-month extension for eligible STEM graduates.

Why are F-1 visas refused under section 214(b)?

Because the officer was not satisfied that you can fund your studies or that you intend to return to South Africa afterwards. You can reapply with stronger financial evidence and clearer study plans.

Do I need the SAT to study in America?

Many universities are now test-optional, but some still require the SAT or ACT. Check each institution — and note that English proficiency evidence is usually a separate requirement.

Immigration & Visas

Studying in the USA as a South African: F-1 Visa, Costs & Steps

There is no central US application system. You apply to each university, receive a Form I-20 once accepted and funded, pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend an embassy interview for the F-1 visa.

Who needs this

South African matriculants and graduates applying to accredited US colleges and universities.

Featured guide

Studying in the USA as a South African

The United States has no central application system: you apply to each university separately, and the visa only becomes possible once a school accepts you and issues a Form I-20. Most South African students use the F-1 student visa; the M-1 covers vocational study and the J-1 covers exchange and scholarship programmes such as Fulbright.

Step-by-step

Shortlist accredited universities and check each one's international admissions page. Application fees are usually USD 50–100 per university, so choose deliberately.
Sit the required tests. Many undergraduate programmes are now test-optional, but some still ask for the SAT or ACT; postgraduate programmes may require the GRE or GMAT. English proficiency is usually shown with TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic or Duolingo, though some universities waive it for English-medium South African schooling.
Submit applications with your NSC results or degree transcript, essays, recommendation letters and financial documents. Deadlines for the September intake typically fall between November and February.
Compare offers and funding. Ask specifically about international scholarships, assistantships and need-based aid — this differs enormously between institutions.
Receive the Form I-20 after you accept an offer and prove you can pay the first year.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (currently USD 350 for F-1) and keep the receipt — you cannot attend the interview without it.
Complete the DS-160 online visa application, pay the visa application fee (USD 185 for F-1 at the time of writing), and book a visa interview at the US Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate in Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Attend the interview. Bring the I-20, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 confirmation, passport, academic records, test scores and financial evidence. Expect direct questions about funding and your intention to return.
Travel. F-1 students may enter the USA up to 30 days before the programme start date on the I-20.

Costs to budget

Approximate and highly variable by institution and state — always confirm on the university's own website.

Tuition: roughly USD 10,000–30,000 a year at public universities for out-of-state/international students and USD 35,000–65,000+ at private universities. Community colleges are considerably cheaper and can transfer credits into a degree.
Living costs: commonly USD 12,000–25,000 a year depending on the city.
Health insurance: usually compulsory, often USD 1,500–3,500 a year.
SEVIS I-901 fee: USD 350. DS-160 visa fee: USD 185.
Tests: SAT/ACT, GRE/GMAT and TOEFL fees, each typically USD 100–275, plus score-report fees per university.

Hidden costs: application fees across multiple universities, courier and certification of transcripts, credential evaluation services (WES or similar, often USD 100–250), travel to the embassy for the interview, compulsory campus fees and meal plans, textbooks, and the rand/dollar exchange rate on every payment.

Working while studying

F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week during term. Off-campus work requires authorisation: CPT (Curricular Practical Training) during study, and OPT (Optional Practical Training) for up to 12 months after graduation, extended by a further 24 months for eligible STEM graduates. Working without authorisation ends your status.

Important cautions

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa: you must show that you intend to return home after study. Talking about staying permanently in the interview is a common refusal reason.
Refusals under section 214(b) mean the officer was not satisfied about funding or ties to South Africa; you may reapply with better evidence.
Visa fees and interview availability change, and appointment waiting times in South Africa can be long — book as soon as you have the I-20.

Sources

US Department of State — Student visas (travel.state.gov)
US Embassy & Consulates in South Africa (za.usembassy.gov)
Study in the States, Department of Homeland Security (studyinthestates.dhs.gov)
SEVP / SEVIS I-901 fee (fmjfee.com)
EducationUSA — official advising network (educationusa.state.gov)

General information only, not immigration advice. US fees and visa rules change — verify on official US government websites before paying.

Download a printable checklist

A one-page PDF of everything you need to bring with you. Tick items off before you go.

What you need before you start

Admission to an accredited, SEVP-certified US institution
Form I-20 issued by that institution
Paid SEVIS I-901 fee and receipt
Completed DS-160 and paid visa application fee
Evidence of funds for the first year shown on the I-20
Test scores where required (SAT/ACT, GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS)
Valid passport and an interview appointment at a US mission in South Africa

Step-by-step process

1
Shortlist accredited universities
Check each one's international admissions page, deadlines and application fee (usually USD 50–100 per application).
2
Sit required tests
SAT or ACT for some undergraduate programmes, GRE or GMAT for some postgraduate ones, plus TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo unless waived.
3
Apply with transcripts, essays and references
Deadlines for the September intake usually fall between November and February.
4
Compare offers and funding
Ask directly about international scholarships, assistantships and need-based aid — practice varies hugely between institutions.
5
Accept and receive the Form I-20
The university issues it once you accept and show the first year's funding.
6
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and complete the DS-160
Keep both receipts; you cannot attend the interview without them.
7
Attend the visa interview
Book at the Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate in Johannesburg or Cape Town, and bring academic, financial and identity documents.
8
Travel
F-1 students may enter the USA up to 30 days before the start date shown on the I-20.

Where, how much, how long

Where to submit

Applications go directly to each US university (often via the Common App). The visa is applied for online through the DS-160 with an interview at the US Embassy in Pretoria or the consulates in Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Fees

Approximate: tuition roughly USD 10,000–30,000 a year at public universities for international students and USD 35,000–65,000+ at private ones; living costs USD 12,000–25,000 a year; compulsory health insurance USD 1,500–3,500; SEVIS I-901 fee USD 350; DS-160 visa fee USD 185; plus application fees, test fees and credential evaluation (USD 100–250).

Processing time

Admissions decisions typically arrive between December and April for a September intake. Visa interview waiting times in South Africa vary from days to months — book as soon as you have the I-20.

Common rejection reasons

Section 214(b) refusal — insufficient proof of funding or ties to South Africa
Inconsistent answers about your study plans at the interview
Funding documents that do not cover the amount shown on the I-20
SEVIS fee unpaid or paid under a different SEVIS ID
Errors on the DS-160 that contradict the I-20 or passport

Official sources

Always confirm the latest requirements and fees on the official website before submitting.

How this guide was checked

Our editorial team compared this guide with 5 official sources linked above and rewrote the process in plain English. We are independent and are not part of any government department.

Reviewed: 14 Sept 2026Updated: 14 Sept 2026

Fees, forms and processing times can change. Please confirm them with the responsible authority before applying. If you spot a change, tell us on the corrections page.