US Visa Approvals and Refusals Statistics by Visa Category
The US Department of State issues US visas for foreign nationals planning to enter America. They issued about 9.7 million US visas in FY 2017 under immigrant and non-immigrant categories. Understanding past approvals and refusals helps you prepare. Our goal at VisaGrader is to educate you with official data and metrics.
* "Visa Refusals" are also called "Visa Rejections" by many. The US Dept. of State officially uses Visa Refusal, so we use that term.
Click on any US Visa type below to view detailed statistics on approvals and refusals by year worldwide and by country in chart and table format.
A1 Visa
Diplomats and Govt. Officials
A2 Visa
Govt. Officials and Employees
B1 Visa
Temporary visitor for business meetings, negotiate contracts, attend conferences
B1/B2 Visa
Temporary visitor for business and pleasure
B2 Visa
Temporary visitor for pleasure, medical treatment, other purposes.
BCC & B1/B2 Visa
Border Crossing Card and B1/B2 Visitor Visa (BBBCC)
BCV & B1/B2 Visa
Border Crossing Visa and B1/B2 Visitor Visa (BBBCV)
C1 Visa
Transit Visa for USA
C1/D Visa
Crewmember & Transit Visa
D Visa
Crewmember Visa for flights & ships crew
E1 Visa
Treaty Trader Visa
E2 Visa
Treaty Investor Visa
E3 Visa
Australian in Specialty Occupation
E3D Visa
E-3 Visa Dependents(spouse, children)
E3R Visa
Returning E-3 Visa
F1 Visa
Student Visa
F2 Visa
Dependents of F1 Visa
H1B Visa
Temporary worker of distinguished merit and ability performing services other than as a registered nurse
H1B1 Visa
Free Trade Agreement Professional
H2A Visa
Temporary worker performing agricultural services
H2B Visa
Temporary worker performing other services
H4 Visa
Spouse or child of H1B/B1/C, H2A/B, or H3
J1 Visa
Exchange visitor
J2 Visa
Spouse or child of exchange visitor - J1
K1 Visa
Fiance(e) of U.S. citizen
K2 Visa
Child of K1
K3 Visa
Certain spouse of U.S. citizen
L1 Visa
Intra-company transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation)
L2 Visa
Spouse or child of intra-company transferee - L1
O1 Visa
Person with extraordinary ability in the sciences, art,education, business, or athletics
O2 Visa
Person accompanying and assisting in the artistic or athletic performance by O1
O3 Visa
Spouse or child of O1 or O2
P1 Visa
Athlete - Individual or Team, Entertainment Group member
P2 Visa
Entertainer or Artist(Group, Individual) - Exchange Program
P3 Visa
Entertainer or Artist(Group, Individual)
Data source: All US visa approvals and refusals data on VisaGrader.com is from the official US Visa Statistics from the US Department of State.