U.S. issuance of nonimmigrant visas for S. Koreans falls by 8 pct

The U.S. has seen a nearly 8% decrease in the issuance of nonimmigrant visas for South Koreans in 2025, according to data analyzed by Rep. Hong Kee-won of the Democratic Party. The number of visas issued to South Koreans dropped from 74,015 in 2024 to 68,130 in 2025, affecting various categories including the B-1 business visa and the B-2 tourism visa.

This decline is attributed to the new U.S. administration's anti-immigration policies and is more pronounced compared to other major countries. However, there has been a slight increase in visa issuances since the detention of South Korean workers in Georgia in September, leading to the establishment of a visa support desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Despite this improvement, international student visa issuances for South Koreans have dropped significantly, from an average of 1,195 in 2024 to 965 in 2025 and 273 in January and February 2026. This situation could have considerable harm to students preparing to study in the U.S., highlighting the need for efforts to normalize visa issuances through diplomatic channels.

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