Last checked: 24 October 2026
Avoiding scams
The referral process is free
- Access to USRAP is free, including the questionnaire. Referral partners do not charge fees [source].
- It is not necessary to have documents verified [source].
- Do not pay anyone who claims to expedite your case or guarantee approval. Only RSC Africa/CWS and Amerikaners are official referral and USRAP implementers in South Africa. Report fraud with the USRAP Tip Form on the Embassy pages [source, source].
- The 13 February 2025 Embassy notice also says access is free and that no one should pay a fee or a favour for access or for a faster case [source].
Pets are a common hook
The Embassy says neither the U.S. government nor USRAP partners fund or arrange pet transport, and Embassy Pretoria is not working with any group to move pets. Beware of anyone who claims they are coordinating with the government to move a pet or to speed up the case [source]. Details are on Bringing your pets.
After you arrive
- USCIS will never ask you to send money to a person, or to pay by Western Union, gift cards or similar [source].
- Notarios are not authorised to give immigration legal services. Only an attorney or an accredited representative of a DOJ-recognised organisation can [source].
- USCIS forms are free to download from uscis.gov [source].
- Government email addresses end in .gov [source].
Where to report
Suspect immigration fraud: the Federal Trade Commission or your state consumer protection office [source]. Suspicious USCIS-style email: USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov [source].