The number of Nepalis receiving US exchange visitor visas in May 2024 was 54% less compared to May 2023. Applicants reported that many Nepali doctors’ J-1 visa applications were denied by the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu during May, contributing to the decline.
Data from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs shows that in May 2024, 91 Nepalis received J-1 visas, while 14 of their dependents received J-2 visas. In contrast, May 2023 saw 197 Nepalis receiving J-1 visas and 48 of their dependents getting J-2 visas. This represents a 53.8% reduction in J-1 visas compared to the previous year. The J-1 visa category includes various exchange visitors, not just medical residents.
In May 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu issued 67 J-1 visas and 11 J-2 visas, compared to 81 J-1 visas issued by various U.S. embassies in April 2024. This was an increase from April 2023, when only 32 Nepalis received J-1 visas from various embassies.
Similarly, 43 Nepalis received H-1B visas and 21 of their dependents received H-4 visas in May 2024, a 57.4% drop from May 2023, when 101 Nepalis were granted H-1B visas and 36 dependents received H-4 visas. H-1B visas are issued to various types of workers, not exclusively for physicians who have accepted residency/fellowship positions in the USA.
The situation worsened after the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program invalidated the scores of several Nepali doctors. Those whose scores remained valid faced difficulty securing residency matches. Additionally, a high number of visa denials by the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu led to a further decline in J-1 visa holders in May.
Some applicants had their previous visitor visas canceled, though a few successfully reapplied and obtained visas from US embassies in Nepal and other countries. Due to the residency programs typically starting in June or July, many affected applicants faced time constraints, leading to wasted efforts, expenses, and opportunities.