US Visa Issuance FY2023: 10.4 Million Visas by Type and Country
A complete breakdown of every non-immigrant visa issued by the United States in fiscal year 2023 — employment visas, tourist visas, student visas, and everything in between. Data sourced from the US Department of State.
The Big Picture
In fiscal year 2023, the United States issued 10,438,327 non-immigrant visas across all categories. This represents a significant recovery from pandemic-era lows and reflects strong global demand for US travel, employment, and education.
The breakdown is striking: tourism and business travel (B-1/B-2 visas) account for over three-quarters of all issuances. Employment-based visas make up about 18% — roughly 1.9 million visas. Student and exchange visitor visas (F, J, M categories) account for another 5%.
Visa Categories — Share of Total Issuances
Employment Visas: 1.9 Million Issued
Employment-based visas are the engine of the US labor market's connection to the global workforce. In FY2023, approximately 1,915,000 employment-related visas were issued — reflecting strong demand driven by labor shortages in agriculture, construction, technology, and professional services.
Top Employment Visa Types by Issuance
| Visa Type | Issued | Share | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-2A | 298,506 | 15.6% | Agricultural seasonal |
| H-1B | 188,400 | 9.8% | Specialty occupation |
| H-2B | 134,513 | 7.0% | Non-ag seasonal |
| H-4 | 107,276 | 5.6% | H-visa dependents |
| L-2 | 98,351 | 5.1% | L-visa dependents |
| L-1 | 77,805 | 4.1% | Intracompany transfer |
| E-2 | 39,586 | 2.1% | Treaty investor |
| TN | 25,775 | 1.3% | USMCA professional |
| P-1 | 24,952 | 1.3% | Athletes/entertainers |
| O-1 | 21,408 | 1.1% | Extraordinary ability |
Seasonal agricultural work (H-2A) leads all employment categories with nearly 300,000 visas — a direct reflection of US farming's dependence on foreign labor. The H-1B specialty occupation visa, popular among tech workers and engineers, came second at 188,400. Non-agricultural seasonal work (H-2B) rounded out the top three at 134,500.
Key Insight
The E-2 Treaty Investor visa — particularly relevant for entrepreneurs and business owners — accounted for 39,586 issuances (2.1%). While smaller in absolute numbers, E-2 holders tend to create jobs, invest capital, and establish permanent business operations in the US, making them disproportionately impactful.
Non-Employment Visas: Tourism Dominates
Outside of employment and student categories, approximately 7.97 million visas were issued — overwhelmingly for tourism and short-term business travel. The B-1/B-2 visa alone accounts for 85% of this category.
Non-Employment Visa Breakdown
Visa Issuance by Country: Top 10 Nations
Mexico and India together account for over 35% of all US non-immigrant visa issuances. Mexico leads with 2.3 million visas (22.3%), driven largely by tourism and agricultural labor. India follows at 1.4 million (13.3%), with a heavy concentration in employment categories — particularly H-1B.
Total Visa Issuances by Country (in thousands)
Values in thousands
| Country | Total Visas | % of Total | Employment | Emp. Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2,328,664 | 22.3% | 392,220 | 16.8% |
| India | 1,387,940 | 13.3% | 431,691 | 31.1% |
| Brazil | 1,067,287 | 10.2% | 19,510 | 1.8% |
| Colombia | 476,293 | 4.6% | 7,844 | 1.6% |
| China | 417,008 | 4.0% | 38,295 | 9.2% |
| Argentina | 291,892 | 2.8% | 4,575 | 1.6% |
| Philippines | 285,860 | 2.7% | 14,711 | 5.1% |
| Ecuador | 274,799 | 2.6% | 1,382 | 0.5% |
| Dom. Republic | 130,360 | 1.3% | 3,630 | 2.8% |
| Nigeria | 113,695 | 1.1% | 3,787 | 3.3% |
Employment Visa Concentration by Country
The share of employment visas within each country's total issuances reveals where labor demand is concentrated. India stands out: 31.1% of all Indian visas are employment-related — driven almost entirely by H-1B demand in the technology sector.
Employment Visa Share Within Each Country's Total
Niche Employment Visas: The Specialty Categories
Beyond the headline categories, the US visa system includes several niche employment visas for specific professions and circumstances. These are smaller in volume but highly relevant for certain nationalities and industries.
O-1 support staff (coaches, assistants)
Culturally unique artists/performers
Treaty traders (Japan, Germany, etc.)
Religious workers (ministers, monks)
Australian specialty workers
Cultural exchange participants
For Japanese Nationals
The E-1 Treaty Trader visa (5,806 issued) is especially popular among Japanese business owners operating trade between Japan and the US. Combined with the E-2 investor visa, these treaty-based options provide Japanese entrepreneurs with strong pathways to establish and operate businesses in the United States without employer sponsorship.
Key Takeaways
Data Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs — Report of the Visa Office, Fiscal Year 2023. Tables XV-B (Non-Immigrant Visa Issuances by Visa Class) and XVI (Non-Immigrant Visa Issuances by Nationality).
Need Help With Your US Visa?
Whether you are applying for an E-2 investor visa, exploring EB-5 options, or planning your US business entry — we can help you navigate the process.
Schedule a Free Consultation