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M1 Visa Approvals in Japan

How many M1 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.

0121242363484Visas approvedFiscal yearFY2017: 406 approved406FY17FY2018: 484 approved484FY18FY2019: 484 approved484FY19FY2020: 252 approved252FY20FY2021: 309 approved309FY21FY2022: 401 approved401FY22FY2023: 405 approved405FY23FY2024: 367 approved367FY24FY2025: 329 approved329FY25

329

FY2025

484

Peak (FY2018)

-10.4%

vs FY2024

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How Japan compares for M1 visas

Against every country that received a M1 visa in FY2025.

#4

of 147 countries

378

Approved in FY2025

6.3%

Of the world total

6,008

Issued worldwide

Fewest (147th)Most (1st)
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Which consulate in Japan approves the most

M1 visas issued at each post in FY2025, as a share of the 329 issued across Japan.

  • Tokyo21766.0%
  • Osaka/Kobe8826.7%
  • Naha247.3%

How each Japan consulate has changed

M1 visas approved per fiscal year, by post. The share chart shows who is largest today; this shows who is rising.

TokyoOsaka/KobeNaha
096192287383Visas approvedFiscal yearTokyo, FY2017: 312 approvedTokyo, FY2018: 377 approvedTokyo, FY2019: 383 approvedTokyo, FY2020: 213 approvedTokyo, FY2021: 245 approvedTokyo, FY2022: 343 approvedTokyo, FY2023: 321 approvedTokyo, FY2024: 304 approvedTokyo, FY2025: 217 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2017: 92 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2018: 105 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2019: 93 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2020: 37 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2021: 63 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2022: 57 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2023: 81 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2024: 61 approvedOsaka/Kobe, FY2025: 88 approvedNaha, FY2017: 2 approvedNaha, FY2018: 2 approvedNaha, FY2019: 8 approvedNaha, FY2020: 2 approvedNaha, FY2021: 1 approvedNaha, FY2022: 1 approvedNaha, FY2023: 3 approvedNaha, FY2024: 2 approvedNaha, FY2025: 24 approvedFY17FY18FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
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When M1 visas are approved in Japan

Average approvals per calendar month across 4 complete years. Busiest month is Jul, quietest is Oct.

49
30
60
22
33
32
79
54
25
17
23
31
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-32486520-763976
Feb-3222352945224223
Mar10210176233227332926
Apr3514361426261024
May454037--35242934
Jun46263214415452626
Jul65699093953748118
Aug799339416544354959
Sep402331-1731103625
Oct121423122021823-
Nov40422829199714-
Dec21282829-213930-

Fiscal Year Visa Issuance

Fiscal YearVisas ApprovedChange on YearRelative to peak
FY2025329▼10.4%
FY2024367▼9.4%
FY2023405▲1.0%
FY2022401▲29.8%
FY2021309▲22.6%
FY2020252▼47.9%
FY2019484=0.0%
FY2018484▲19.2%
FY2017406—

Consulate-Specific Data

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

M1 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 M1 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 M1 interviewFirst session free. No card required.

View M1 Visa Issuance Trends for Other Countries

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

What is the approval rate for M1 visas in Japan?
There is no published approval rate for M1 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 M1 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 M1 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 M1 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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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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