The demand for U.S. nonimmigrant visas has surged recently, driven by increased interest in study and employment opportunities. While the number of visas issued has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, the heightened demand has led to more rigorous screening and higher rates of visa denials.
As per the State Department’s “Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance Statistics” released on August 10, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul issued a total of 3,629 student visas (F-1) in June. This figure surpassed the number issued in June 2019 (3,158), the last year before the pandemic struck. On average, there are 2,000 to 4,000 F-1 visas issued per month, varying with the time of year. However, in April 2020, immediately after the pandemic’s onset, only 23 F-1 visas were issued.
J-1 visas, intended for exchange visitors and trainees, experienced a similar trend. The number of these visas issued per month, which had dropped to 12 in the aftermath of the pandemic, climbed to 1,555 in June. This surpassed the count for June 2019 (1,279).
Additionally, the E2 Visa for investors and employees, which saw a rate of 28 per month right after the pandemic, jumped to 591 in June 2023. Notably, the issuance of other visas, such as intra-company transfer U.S. visas (L-1, 193) and tourist/visitor visas (B1/B2, 681), has also returned to pre-pandemic levels.
David Kim, an attorney at immigration consulting firm Namu Immigration, said, “Many Koreans who had postponed their plans to enter the U.S. are now eager to do so this year, given the surge in demand and the extension of the student-J-1 visa interview waiver until the end of 2023. The suspension of Zoom classes by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) in May this year due to COVID-19 also played a role.”
However, a critical issue has emerged where the number of non-immigrant visas issued has not been able to keep up with the soaring demand. Jenny Lee, COO of ICN Group, a global career consulting firm, highlighted, “Last year, even people in their 40s were approved for J-1 visas, but lately, a 34-year-old single individual was denied a visa. The rising denial rate and the lag in visa issuance relative to demand have led to complaints from J-1 sponsor companies directed at the U.S. Embassy.”
Although student visas generally exempt applicants from interviews, the influx of applicants this summer has led to a change. Many now find themselves required to attend interviews. A case in point is that of a Korean student who had graduated from a South Korean liberal arts college and invested two years in preparation to pursue her aspirations.
Despite being accepted with a scholarship into an undergraduate program at a prestigious U.S. university, she was denied a visa during her interview. The rejection was based on having a different major and work experience.
Upon a second attempt, she faced rejection again and ultimately relinquished her acceptance letter. “The instances of rejection notices being issued during interviews have surged. Even undergraduate student visas, which were relatively easy to obtain in the past, are facing rejections these days,” said Kim.
BY EUNBYUL KIM [support@koreadaily.com]
