For so many people around the world, applying for a US visa can be an overwhelming challenge. Most future visa applicants want to know how successful their application is, especially when it comes to denials from certain nationality groups. Until 2025, this overall analysis explores trends and insights using the latest data on US visa refusal rates by country.
Understanding US visa refusal rates
So, how do US visa refusal rates differ? They may vary widely from country to country based on factors such as economic, political relations, and indigenous diseases by the applicant. Visa numbers and US visa refusal rates are published annually by the US Department of State, so the public can see statistics on these figures.
Global Overview of the 2025 Visa Rejection Rate
Compared to other countries, there was a huge gap in the 2025 US visa refusal rate. Some countries showed very low rejection rates, strong diplomatic relations and strong economic situations. Others face a much higher proportion due to a variety of factors.
Low rejection rate (0-10%)
The low visa refusal rate correlates with certain characteristics of these countries, such as a stable economy, low incidence of visa violations by citizens, and strong diplomatic relations with the United States. These countries were categorized in that category in 2025:
Israel (3.30%): Historically strong bilateral relations with the US and high compliance rates among citizens lead to lower Israeli rejection rates.
United Arab Emirates (4.18%): Dubai’s investment and strategic relationship with the US is a significant contribution to the 2025 U.S. visa refusal rates in Dubai’s 2025.
Saudi Arabia (5.01%): Due to its relative economic stability and substantial business ties with the US, Saudi Arabia enjoys a favorable visa approval rate.
Japan (6.05%): Very good diplomatic relations and low overstay rates on the part of the citizens mean low rejection rates.
Czech Republic (8.05%): The Czech Republic, a member of the European Union with a stable economic situation, has a fairly low visa rejection rate.
Argentina (8.21%): The improvement in Argentina’s economy and its strong relationship with the US has made its rejection rate very low.
France (10.11%): France has important ties with the United States, and its citizens have always respected visa norms, which reflect a low rejection rate.
Mexico (10.57%): Mexico currently faces some of its biggest challenges, but strong economic cooperation with the US has kept the visa refusal rate relatively low.
Italy (10.62%): Tourism exchanges with the US and a rather stable economy will help keep rejection rates low.
Denmark (10.66%): Danes are loaned to a high visa refusal rate, maintaining high standards with the US and strong bilateral relations.
Germany (10.84%): Germany has a strong economy, extensive business ties with the US, and low visa rejection rates.
Indonesia (10.95%): Indonesia has achieved the most improved economic growth in the United States, showing it in visa statistics.
India (10.99%): The number of qualified applicants and the US strategic partnership with India led to a lower rejection rate.
Moderate rejection rate (10-20%)
Countries that deny moderately often have some challenges affecting visa approval statistics. In 2025, we saw moderate rejection rates for these countries per country.
Brazil (11.94%): Brazil’s rejection rate remains moderate due to concerns about economic fluctuations and visa tenure.
Vatican (14.29%): There are only a few candidates applying from the Vatican, so rejection rates can have a statistical habit.
Korea (14.44%): The South Korean government maintains strong ties with the US, but some visas are under higher scrutiny, contributing to the overall rejection rate.
UK (14.69%): Despite their close relationship, some visa categories and individual applicant variables led to a relatively gentle rejection rate in the UK.
Spain (15.66%): The Spanish visa refusal rate is also influenced by economic and applicant-specific factors.
Australia (16.75%): Australia as a country generally has fewer rejections, but some visas have been affected by an increase in rejections, adding to Australia’s overall rejection rate.
Norway (17.96%): There are several applicant and visa category-related factors that lead to ease of Norway’s rejection rate.
Higher rejection rate (20-30%)
Countries facing economic or political struggles tend to have a higher rejection rate as their visa applications are under additional scrutiny. Countries with a high rejection rate in 2025 include:
Ireland (19.41%): Ireland’s rejection rate is driven by economic reasons and fear of visa extensions.
Türkiye (20.59%): There is also a scrutiny of Turkish visa applicants as a result of the political instability and security concerns facing the country.
Sweden (20.68%): Although the balance is stable, certain visa categories are subject to increased rejection rates in Sweden.
Finland (22.82%): It has similar issues with their visa refusal rate. This is due to economic factors as well as individual issues related to the applicant.
Egypt (26.11%): Domestic political and economic pressures have arisen as high visa rejection rates.
China (26.63%): However, while it could maintain strong economic ties, concerns about visa compliance have increased the rejection rate.
Significant rejection rate (30-50%)
Countries with high US visa rejection rates may have economic, political disruption, or security concerns that encourage closer scrutiny of applicants. In countries with a significant portion of rejection in 2025,
Nigeria (29.23%): Nigeria is considered an economically unstable country with fear of these granted visas staying there.
Ukraine (34.29%): The growing political turmoil and security concerns mean that future applicants in Ukraine are facing close scrutiny.
Iraq (37.09%): Iraqi citizens face a prominent visa refusal rate due to security issues and instability at the political level.
Russia (39.49%): Russia’s high rejection rates are primarily due to geopolitical tensions and fear of non-compliance with visas.
Pakistan (most rejected 40.82%): Pakistan visa applications are subject to increased scrutiny due to economic challenges and security concerns.
Afghanistan (48.73%): The ongoing disputes and security issues have led to a high visa refusal rate for Afghanistan applicants.
High rejection rate (over 50%)
Countries with very high US visa refusal rates are usually plagued by important political, economic, or security issues that bring close scrutiny to applicants. In 2025, the rejection rate was particularly high in the next countries.
Canada (52.04%): The high rejection rate in 2025 is primarily due to stricter policies, increased scrutiny, and inadequate financial or travel documentation.
Iran (53.26%): Iranians have experienced high visa refusal rates due to political and security tensions.
Liberia (78.19%): Foreign economic instability and fear of non-compliance with visas have driven a very high rejection rate in Liberia.
North Korea (100%): All visa applications from North Korea are always denied because they do not meet US visa requirements due to the lack of potential diplomatic relations or security threats.
Factors that influence visa refusal rates
There are many factors in how you can avoid rejecting a US visa.
Economic considerations: Applicants in countries with disadvantaged economic situations may experience higher rejection rates.
Political relations in the US country: Visa approval can have a significant impact on US home countries relations. If the relationship is tense or tense; they are exposed to increased scrutiny and have a higher rejection rate.
Security risk: Applicants from countries with significant security concerns or terrorism links may face an increased rejection rate when undergoing a more rigorous review process.
Visa overstay fee: Past overstay data indicating that it is in a particular country has citizens that may result in the denial of visas for future new applicants from that country.
Conclusion
Therefore, the factors that understand and drive the refusal of visa refusal rates in the US are important information for applicants around the world. Preparation, transparency and adherence to guidelines form the foundation for a successful visa application process.
