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AI Visa Officer is an interview practice tool. AV Guide is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, any embassy or consulate, and nothing here is legal or immigration advice.

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Back to J-1 Visa Countries
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J-1 Visa Approvals in Bulgaria

How many J-1 visa applications U.S. Embassies and Consulates in Bulgaria 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: Bulgaria

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.

01K2K4K5KVisas approvedFiscal yearFY2017: 4,921 approved5KFY17FY2018: 4,796 approved5KFY18FY2019: 4,947 approved5KFY19FY2020: 1,164 approved1KFY20FY2021: 845 approved845FY21FY2022: 2,400 approved2KFY22FY2023: 3,675 approved4KFY23FY2024: 4,179 approved4KFY24FY2025: 4,285 approved4KFY25

4,285

FY2025

4,947

Peak (FY2019)

+2.5%

vs FY2024

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How Bulgaria compares for J-1 visas

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

#24

of 198 countries

4,002

Approved in FY2025

1.4%

Of the world total

292,559

Issued worldwide

Fewest (198th)Most (1st)
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When J-1 visas are approved in Bulgaria

Average approvals per calendar month across 6 complete years. Busiest month is Apr, quietest is Oct.

21
165
936
1k
659
222
53
25
20
10
10
17
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-191718312482814
Feb-105390416223181288282
Mar1,2701,1921,93764334141,0879821,327
Apr2,0691,9841,423175291,1751,7821,511
May1,1289326932122819748637688
Jun12113171159031012011075
Jul70564853964535849
Aug36394221320211210
Sep2333282151961717
Oct151773121087-
Nov812721211116-
Dec112521-14111516-

Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas ApprovedChange on YearRelative to peak
FY20254,285▲2.5%
FY20244,179▲13.7%
FY20233,675▲53.1%
FY20222,400▲184.0%
FY2021845▼27.4%
FY20201,164▼76.5%
FY20194,947▲3.1%
FY20184,796▼2.5%
FY20174,921—

Consulate-Specific Data

Sofia
View detailed approval data →

J-1 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 J-1 as applicants in Bulgaria face it, answer out loud under follow-up pressure, and get a readiness score with feedback on every answer.

Practise your J-1 interviewFirst session free. No card required.

How do your own odds compare?

The figures above count everyone who was approved for a J-1 in Bulgaria. 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 J1 - Exchange Visitor Visa in Bulgaria.

Step 1 of 5

Questions 1–5 of 17

Are you proficient in English?
Have you previously participated in a J1 visa program?

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

View J-1 Visa Issuance Trends for Other Countries

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Afghanistan
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Albania
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Algeria
Flag of Andorra
Andorra
Flag of Angola
Angola
🏳️
Anguilla
🏳️
Antigua And Barbuda
Flag of Argentina
Argentina
Flag of Armenia
Armenia
Flag of Australia
Australia
Flag of Austria
Austria
Flag of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approval rate for J-1 visas in Bulgaria?
There is no published approval rate for J-1 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 Bulgaria.
How many J-1 visas does Bulgaria 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 J-1 visa approval in Bulgaria?
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 J-1 visa in Bulgaria?
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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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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