Nearly one in four South Korean US visitor visa applications refused

South Korean nationals applying for US visitor visas faced a markedly higher chance of rejection in the 2025 fiscal year, with the adjusted refusal rate reaching 24.73 percent, according to South Korean Foreign Ministry data. The figure covers applications made between October 2024 and September 2025 and was released to lawmaker Kim Dai-sik of the opposition People Power Party on Monday.

Key facts

• Refusal rate: 24.73 percent for South Korean B visitor visa applicants, up 9.76 percentage points from the previous fiscal year
• Period covered: October 2024 to September 2025
• Visas issued: fell 21.2 percent, from 15,508 to 12,226
• Who is counted: B visa applicants only; South Koreans travelling visa-free under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization are excluded
• Comparison rates: United Kingdom 20.44 percent, Japan 5.68 percent, France 9.67 percent, Germany 12.22 percent

What do the B visas cover?

The B-1 visa is for temporary business visits. The B-2 visa covers tourism, medical treatment and visits to family or friends.

The figures do not include South Koreans who travel to the United States visa-free through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The ministry data noted that differences in who is required to apply for a visa limit direct comparisons with countries outside the visa waiver programme.

How does this compare with other countries?

South Korea's refusal rate was higher than those of several other visa waiver participants. The United Kingdom recorded 20.44 percent, while Japan, France and Germany stood at 5.68 percent, 9.67 percent and 12.22 percent respectively.

The rates for the UK and France also increased, but by much smaller margins of 2.41 and 1.17 percentage points. China's refusal rate fell from 25.37 percent to 20.21 percent, while India and Vietnam recorded 22.05 percent and 22.08 percent; none of those three takes part in the visa waiver programme.

Why are refusals rising?

A Foreign Ministry official told Kim that exact reasons for visa refusals are difficult to determine, as the US does not disclose them, adding: "I suspect that immigration becoming a contentious domestic political issue in the US has led to tighter visa screening policies."

Kim questioned whether bilateral relations had also played a role, and called for an examination of whether South Korea's diplomatic and defence policies toward the US contributed to the refusals. The source notes, however, that recent political developments — including parliamentary remarks by Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha on 12 October and a postponed US visit by ruling party leader Kim Min-seok — occurred more than a year after the period covered by the visa data.

What this means for travellers

South Koreans who need a B-1 or B-2 visa for business, tourism, medical treatment or family visits should be aware that refusal rates rose sharply in the 2025 fiscal year. The source does not state any changes to the application process, fees or processing times.

The source gives no indication of whether the refusal rate has changed since September 2025, or of any forthcoming policy announcements.