The number of U.S. student visas issued to Japanese dropped by 40 percent in May compared to previous years, according to data released by the U.S. Department of State. 

Known as F-1 visas, the decline in student visas issued to Japanese nationals studying abroad in the United States appears to be connected to U.S. President Donald Trump's tightening of restrictions on foreign students.

While some are desperate to seek entry, others have given up on the United States and are choosing other destinations.

As many U.S. schools begin the academic year in September, the number of F-1 visas to be issued usually peaks between May and August.

The Asahi Shimbun compiled data on the number of visas issued by nationality using figures published monthly by the Department of State. It found that around 520 F-1 visas were granted to Japanese nationals in May.

Comparatively, in May of 2022, 2023 and 2024—when COVID-19 pandemic concerns dropped off—about 900 cases were issued, marking a 40 percent drop in those approved this year.

This was the lowest number of F-1 visas issued since 2017, when the data was first made public, and exempting the period from 2020 to 2021 when pandemic countermeasures were in full swing.

STUCK IN LIMBO

A 26-year-old man who lives in the Kyushu region said he now clicks a website “once every 30 minutes” to see if he can make an appointment for an interview at a U.S. embassy required for obtaining a visa.

He has been doing so every day since about a week when all the necessary documents were ready.

However, all that appears on the reservation site are the words, “No available slots.”

“I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it to my doctoral program at a graduate school in the United States that starts in August, but now I really have no choice but to wait," he said.

U.S. media reported at the end of May that the Trump administration ordered embassies and consulates around the world to temporarily suspend visa interview appointments. Around the same time, Japanese embassies also stopped taking appointments for interviews.

In mid-June, the Department of State announced that appointments would soon resume, but the reality is that many are still unable to make appointments, leaving them in a state of anxiety.

For the prospective Ph.D. student in Kyushu, changing where he pursues his degree is not simple—the United States is the only country where there are universities that would allow him to conduct his desired research across multiple disciplines.

He has also been guaranteed tuition and living support by the university and other entities.

“I just want to book an interview as soon as possible,” he said. “I want to try to deal with the situation calmly, but there’s still uncertainty about what will happen after I get to the United States.”

OVERALL TOTAL UNCHANGED

Looking at the Department of State's data as a whole, however, shows the approximately 45,000 F-1 visas issued in May maintained the standard of prior years' totals. 

What remains unexplained is the lower number of F-1 visas issued to Japanese nationals.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo's Minato Ward stated it could not answer The Asahi Shimbun's inquiry for the reason behind this, citing the protection of personal information and the closed-door nature of the embassy's internal operations.

NOT WORTH THE STRESS

Study abroad facilitator Ryugaku Journal Inc. noted that there has been widespread concern among Japanese over the Trump administration's policies and the protests against them since his inauguration in January.

The F-1 visas issued in May were for applications received before the Trump administration took steps such as suspending appointments for interviews. It is possible that the 40 percent decrease was not a direct result of the policy, but rather Japanese hopefuls tossing plans to study in the United States or deciding to pursue international education in other countries.

Furthermore, in mid-June the Department of State announced that it would soon resume interviews after conducting a comprehensive and thorough screening of prospective students, including what they post on social media.

A representative of Ryugaku Journal said that an increasing number of Japanese students are changing their destinations to Australia and Britain or are foregoing their desire to study abroad entirely.

“The situation remains unsettled. We will continue to monitor developments in the United States,” the representative said.

(This article was written by Amane Shimazaki, Shinya Maeda, Kayoko Sekiguchi and Roku Goda.)