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IR1 Visa Approvals in Japan

How many IR1 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.

02875748611KVisas approvedFiscal yearFY2017: 365 approved365FY17FY2018: 593 approved593FY18FY2019: 510 approved510FY19FY2020: 543 approved543FY20FY2021: 955 approved955FY21FY2022: 894 approved894FY22FY2023: 1,039 approved1KFY23FY2024: 1,148 approved1KFY24FY2025: 940 approved940FY25

940

FY2025

1,148

Peak (FY2024)

-18.1%

vs FY2024

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How Japan compares for IR1 visas

Against every country that received a IR1 visa in FY2025.

#28

of 195 countries

694

Approved in FY2025

0.7%

Of the world total

98,671

Issued worldwide

Fewest (195th)Most (1st)
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Which consulate in Japan approves the most

IR1 visas issued at each post in FY2025, as a share of the 940 issued across Japan.

  • Tokyo80986.1%
  • Naha13113.9%

How each Japan consulate has changed

IR1 visas approved per fiscal year, by post. The share chart shows who is largest today; this shows who is rising.

TokyoNaha
02525047561KVisas approvedFiscal yearTokyo, FY2017: 291 approvedTokyo, FY2018: 472 approvedTokyo, FY2019: 386 approvedTokyo, FY2020: 450 approvedTokyo, FY2021: 817 approvedTokyo, FY2022: 781 approvedTokyo, FY2023: 916 approvedTokyo, FY2024: 1,008 approvedTokyo, FY2025: 809 approvedNaha, FY2017: 74 approvedNaha, FY2018: 121 approvedNaha, FY2019: 124 approvedNaha, FY2020: 93 approvedNaha, FY2021: 138 approvedNaha, FY2022: 113 approvedNaha, FY2023: 123 approvedNaha, FY2024: 140 approvedNaha, FY2025: 131 approvedFY17FY18FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
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When IR1 visas are approved in Japan

Average approvals per calendar month across 5 complete years. Busiest month is Jun, quietest is Jan.

39
43
50
60
46
62
47
56
62
53
47
51
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-3212425238595646
Feb-2239344940516265
Mar-3730287067546157
Apr334140117059738772
May43463511-48455554
Jun415040307368737753
Jul474630-4849644444
Aug464730925264766351
Sep315131-3287657580
Oct42382611639646572-
Nov3442228844567341-
Dec41314466-625959-

Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas ApprovedChange on YearRelative to peak
FY2025940▼18.1%
FY20241,148▲10.5%
FY20231,039▲16.2%
FY2022894▼6.4%
FY2021955▲75.9%
FY2020543▲6.5%
FY2019510▼14.0%
FY2018593▲62.5%
FY2017365—

Consulate-Specific Data

Naha
View detailed approval data →
Tokyo
View detailed approval data →

IR1 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 IR1 as applicants in Japan face it, answer out loud under follow-up pressure, and get a readiness score with feedback on every answer.

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View IR1 Visa Issuance Trends for Other Countries

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Afghanistan
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Algeria
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Anguilla
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Antigua And Barbuda
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Argentina
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Armenia
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Aruba
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Australia
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Austria
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approval rate for IR1 visas in Japan?
There is no published approval rate for IR1 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 IR1 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 IR1 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 IR1 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.

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  • 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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