# South Africa Diaspora in US Explained

> 156,094 South Africans live in US, 0.3% of immigrants.
- Title: South Africa Diaspora in US Explained · The Rio Times
- Summary: 156,094 South Africans live in US, 0.3% of immigrants. 156,094 South African-born residents in US as of 2024, 0.3% of all immigrants.
- Keywords: south africa, diaspora, immigration, census, remittances, afrikaners, h-1b visa, refugee policy, news, world, politics, South
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/south-africa-diaspora-united-states-explained-2026
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-10-29T13:38:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: south africa, us, diaspora, immigration, census, remittances, afrikaners, h-1b visa, refugee policy, news, world, politics
## Key Facts
156,094 US residents born in South Africa in 2024, margin of error 9,945.
## Ancestry Count
110,308 US residents reported South African ancestry in 2024, margin of error 9,103.
## Where They Live
California, Texas and Florida hold 37% of South African-born residents, 57,423 people.
## Money Home
South Africa received US$1.0 billion in remittances in 2025, 0.24% of its economy.
## US Policy
US refugee ceiling for fiscal 2027 is 17,500, allocated primarily among Afrikaners from South Africa.
## How They Arrive
Most South Africans use work visas, family sponsorship, student visas or green cards to enter US.
## H-1B Fee
Department of Homeland Security proposed US$103,265 fee on H-1B petitions for fiscal 2027.
## Refugee Policy
President Donald Trump set refugee ceiling for fiscal 2027 at 17,500, primarily for Afrikaners.
## Diaspora Size
South Africans make up 0.3% of all US immigrants, 156,094 people in 2024.
## State Distribution
California has 24,001 South African-born residents, Texas 19,201, Florida 14,221.
## Remittances
South Africa received US$1.0 billion in remittances from all countries in 2:2025.
## Ancestry vs Birthplace
Birthplace counts 156,094 South Africans; ancestry counts 110,308 with South African roots.
## How Policy Touches
US refugee policy targets Afrikaners from South Africa for fiscal 2027.
## What It Means
US employers face same visa rules for South African workers as other immigrants.
## What's Unknown
Exact number of Afrikaner refugees admitted in fiscal 2027 is unknown.
## Key takeaway

156,094 South African-born residents in US as of 2024, 0.3% of all immigrants.