How Many O-1 Visas Are Issued Per Year? By Consulate

20,015 O-1 visas were issued by U.S. consulates in fiscal year 2025. See issuances by consulate, the top 25 posts, and what the State figures do not count.

Page reviewed October 8, 2026.

Quick answer. U.S. consulates issued 20,015 O-1 visas in fiscal year 2025, which ran from October 2024 to September 2025, across 182 posts. London issued the most, 3,594, which is 18% of the total. These figures count visas issued abroad in the O-1 class, which combines the O-1A and the O-1B. They do not count people who were already in the United States and changed status through USCIS, so the number of people who held O-1 status that year is higher.

O-1 visas issued by consulate, fiscal year 2025

The 25 posts with the most O-1 issuances. Together the top 10 issued 9,239 visas (46%) and the top 25 issued 13,543 (68%).

Rank	Consular post	O-1 visas issued	Share
1	London	3,594	18.0%
2	Paris	941	4.7%
3	Chennai	846	4.2%
4	Sao Paulo	620	3.1%
5	Madrid	581	2.9%
6	Beijing	576	2.9%
7	Mexico City	576	2.9%
8	Shanghai	561	2.8%
9	Seoul	532	2.7%
10	Tokyo	412	2.1%
11	Berlin	386	1.9%
12	Sydney	385	1.9%
13	Bogota	347	1.7%
14	Buenos Aires	336	1.7%
15	Tel Aviv	323	1.6%
16	Frankfurt	302	1.5%
17	Rio de Janeiro	277	1.4%
18	Munich	264	1.3%
19	Guangzhou	260	1.3%
20	Milan	253	1.3%
21	Stockholm	249	1.2%
22	Bern	244	1.2%
23	Mumbai	238	1.2%
24	Melbourne	222	1.1%
25	Rome	218	1.1%

What the numbers show

London issued the most O-1 visas by a wide margin, 3,594. The counts are by the post where the visa was issued, not by nationality.
Paris, Chennai, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Beijing, Mexico City, Shanghai and Seoul follow.
Canadian posts show low counts because most Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter for O-1 work.

What these figures do not count

Change of status. People already in the United States in another status, for example F-1 or H-1B, can change to O-1 through USCIS without a consular visa. They are not in these counts.
Approved petitions. USCIS approves O-1 petitions first. The consular numbers count visas that were then issued.
Nationality. The figures are by the post where the visa was issued, not by citizenship. Some people apply at a post outside their home country.
O-1A versus O-1B. The State Department reports the O-1 class as one number.
Dependents. O-2 and O-3 visas are separate classes and are not included.

About the data

The counts come from the U.S. Department of State's monthly nonimmigrant visa issuance statistics by post and visa class, summed for October 2024 through September 2025. Posts with no O-1 issuances in the year are not listed. Figures were checked in October 2026.

Common questions

How many O-1 visas are issued each year?

In fiscal year 2025, U.S. consulates issued 20,015 O-1 visas. That counts visas issued abroad only. People who changed to O-1 status inside the United States through USCIS are not in this number.

Which consulate issues the most O-1 visas?

London, with 3,594 in fiscal year 2025, about 18% of the total. Paris is second.

Does this include O-1A and O-1B?

Yes, together. The State Department reports the O-1 class as a single figure.

Is there a cap on O-1 visas?

No. The O-1 has no annual cap and no lottery.

Does this show the O-1 approval rate?

No. These are visas issued, not petitions filed or decided. USCIS decides every petition, and Lando does not promise an outcome.

Does Lando guarantee approval?

No. USCIS decides every petition, and Lando does not promise an outcome. Lando is not a law firm. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.

Sources

Checked October 2026.

Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.