U.S. Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visas for South Koreans Falls by 8%

The issuance of nonimmigrant visas for South Koreans by the United States has seen a notable decline of nearly 8% in the past year. According to data analyzed by the office of Rep. Hong Kee-won from the ruling Democratic Party, 68,130 nonimmigrant visas were issued to South Koreans in 2025, down from 74,015 in 2024. This decrease is attributed to various factors, including changes in U.S. immigration policies under the new administration.

The decline was observed across most visa categories, including B-1 business and B-2 tourism visas. The situation has raised concerns about the potential impact on travel and business exchanges between South Korea and the U.S. Following incidents such as the detention of South Korean workers in Georgia, there were temporary increases in visa issuances, but overall trends remain concerning.

Efforts have been made to ease the visa application process, including the establishment of a visa support desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. However, the significant drop in F-1 international student visas, from an average of 1,195 in 2024 to just 273 in early 2026, highlights ongoing challenges for students wishing to study in the U.S. Rep. Hong emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to normalize visa issuances and mitigate the adverse effects on students and businesses alike.