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Back to H-1B Visa Countries
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H-1B Visa Approvals in Japan

How many H-1B visa applications U.S. Embassies and Consulates in Japan approved, by fiscal year and by post. Every visa issued is an approved application.

The State Department publishes issuance counts for this visa class but not refusals, so there is no approval rate to report and none is shown. Figures run from March 2017 to September 2025.

Visas approved per year: Japan

Totals by U.S. fiscal year, which runs October to September, so FY2025 covers October 2024 to September 2025. Refusals are not published for this visa class, so an approval rate cannot be shown.

03476941K1KVisas approvedFiscal yearFY2017: 452 approved452FY17FY2018: 856 approved856FY18FY2019: 868 approved868FY19FY2020: 443 approved443FY20FY2021: 302 approved302FY21FY2022: 759 approved759FY22FY2023: 1,129 approved1KFY23FY2024: 1,230 approved1KFY24FY2025: 1,388 approved1KFY25

1,388

FY2025

1,388

Peak (FY2025)

+12.8%

vs FY2024

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How Japan compares for H-1B visas

Against every country that received a H-1B visa in FY2025.

#19

of 181 countries

647

Approved in FY2025

0.3%

Of the world total

214,301

Issued worldwide

Fewest (181th)Most (1st)
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Which consulate in Japan approves the most

H-1B visas issued at each post in FY2025, as a share of the 1,388 issued across Japan.

  • Tokyo1,18485.3%
  • Osaka/Kobe19113.8%
  • Naha130.9%

How each Japan consulate has changed

H-1B visas approved per fiscal year, by post. The share chart shows who is largest today; this shows who is rising.

TokyoOsaka/KobeNaha
02965928881KVisas approvedFiscal yearTokyo, FY2017: 339 approvedTokyo, FY2018: 644 approvedTokyo, FY2019: 671 approvedTokyo, FY2020: 338 approvedTokyo, FY2021: 249 approvedTokyo, FY2022: 599 approvedTokyo, FY2023: 934 approvedTokyo, FY2024: 1,019 approvedTokyo, FY2025: 1,184 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2017: 109 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2018: 208 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2019: 185 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2020: 104 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2021: 52 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2022: 157 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2023: 190 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2024: 207 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2025: 191 approvedNaha, FY2017: 4 approvedNaha, FY2018: 4 approvedNaha, FY2019: 12 approvedNaha, FY2020: 1 approvedNaha, FY2021: 1 approvedNaha, FY2022: 3 approvedNaha, FY2023: 5 approvedNaha, FY2024: 4 approvedNaha, FY2025: 13 approvedFY17FY18FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
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When H-1B visas are approved in Japan

Average approvals per calendar month across 4 complete years. Busiest month is Dec, quietest is Feb.

53
27
39
34
47
67
77
60
48
53
59
98
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Calendar months, not fiscal. A busy month means more applications competing for the same interview slots, not a better chance of approval.

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Monthly Visa Issuance Data

Month201720182019202020212022202320242025
Jan-7045418-455169
Feb-332616516242619
Mar49373516635463629
Apr37353723045343136
May6651532-62463841
Jun58745693298776163
Jul688178-3692717763
Aug59675855691595455
Sep675959-2853294542
Oct585155523564264-
Nov7562561425625464-
Dec9695969-12098102-

Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas ApprovedChange on YearRelative to peak
FY20251,388▲12.8%
FY20241,230▲8.9%
FY20231,129▲48.7%
FY2022759▲151.3%
FY2021302▼31.8%
FY2020443▼49.0%
FY2019868▲1.4%
FY2018856▲89.4%
FY2017452—

Consulate-Specific Data

Naha
View detailed approval data →
Osaka/Kobe
View detailed approval data →
Tokyo
View detailed approval data →

H-1B interview prep

The numbers are history. Your interview is not.

Nothing on this page changes your odds. What happens in the two minutes at the window does. Face a live AI visa officer for the H-1B as applicants in Japan face it, answer out loud under follow-up pressure, and get a readiness score with feedback on every answer.

Practise your H-1B interviewFirst session free. No card required.

How do your own odds compare?

The figures above count everyone who was approved for a H-1B in Japan. They say nothing about your case. Answer a few questions and get an assessment of your own profile, the areas most likely to cost you the interview, and what to do about each one.

US Visa Approval Calculator

Answer the questions below to get a read on your profile, grouped into short steps.

Your result opens after a free Google sign-in at the end. We ask so your evaluation is saved and you can compare it after you have made changes.

Evaluating for H1B - Specialty Occupation Worker in Japan.

Step 1 of 5

Questions 1–5 of 16

Prefer to practise instead of measure? Face a live AI visa officer. The first interview is free.

View H-1B Visa Issuance Trends for Other Countries

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approval rate for H-1B visas in Japan?
There is no published approval rate for H-1B visas. The State Department reports how many visas it issued but not how many it refused, and a rate needs both. This page shows the issuance counts that genuinely exist for Japan.
How many H-1B visas does Japan get?
The tables and charts above show issuances by U.S. fiscal year, which runs October to September, and where the data allows, by individual consulate. These counts come directly from the State Department's monthly issuance tables.
What factors affect H-1B visa approval in Japan?
Factors include the completeness and accuracy of your application, supporting documents, interview performance, and the specific consulate's workload and policies. Common reasons for refusal include missing documents, insufficient ties to home country, or unclear travel purpose.
How can I improve my chances of getting a H-1B visa in Japan?
Prepare thoroughly for your interview, provide honest and complete information, and ensure all documents are in order. Review common mistakes and tips provided above, and consider seeking professional guidance if you have a complex case.
Where does this visa data come from?
All figures are sourced from published U.S. Department of State statistics. We update them as new monthly and annual tables are released.

Related Services

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  • Visa Approval Calculator – Estimate your approval chances with our AI-powered tool.
  • Visa Interview Wait Times – Check current wait times for US consulates worldwide.
  • Visa Interview Tips & Guides – Read expert advice and articles.
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Data Source & Transparency

Data Source: All visa approval statistics are compiled from the official U.S. Department of State’s annual visa statistics reports. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the U.S. Department of State Visa Statistics.

Methodology: These are counts of visas issued, taken from the State Department’s monthly issuance tables. No approval rate is shown because refusals are not published per country or per post, and a rate cannot be calculated without them. Figures exclude cases under administrative processing and are subject to reporting delays.

Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with the U.S. government. All data is provided for informational purposes only. For official guidance, always refer to the U.S. Department of State or your local U.S. embassy/consulate.

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