The US Embassy in Kathmandu has prioritized diversity visas (DV) for Nepali immigrants, followed by visas for Nepali parents of US citizens. During the first nine months of the current fiscal year, Nepali parents of US citizens received the highest number of immigrant visas after diversity visas from the US Embassy in Kathmandu and other US embassies worldwide. However, most of those visas were issued from the US Embassy in Kathmandu. From October to May, 1,786 parents received immigrant visas, contributing to a total exceeding 2,000 for the fiscal year 2024.
Monthly statistics from the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs reveal the following distribution of visas issued to parents of American citizens: 331 in October, 166 in November, 263 in December, 263 in January, 110 in February, 260 in March, 283 in April, and 373 in May. These figures do not account for individuals who adjust their status within the US.
The family-based green card, also known as the IR5 category visa, allows foreign parents of US citizens aged at least 21 to become permanent residents. Following this category, US citizens and their Nepali spouses or green card holders received immigrant visas under the IR1 and CR1 categories. IR1 visas are granted for a 10-year green card, while CR1 visas are for a 2-year conditional green card, generally issued to couples married for less than two years.
From October to May, 873 Nepalis received CR1 visas, and 556 received IR1 visas, totaling 1,429 visas for US citizens’ and green card holders’ Nepali spouses. These numbers also exclude those adjusting their status while in the US.
As for the diversity visa, around 2,400 Nepalis have received Diversity Visas in the current fiscal year so far. From October to May, 2,147 Nepalis received DVs, with May alone accounting for 293 recipients. Despite a decline in the number of DVs issued from December to February, the number rebounded significantly in April with 399 visas granted.
The diversity visa remains the top priority at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, with the highest number of immigrant visas granted to DV winners compared to other categories.
For the fiscal year 2024, Nepal ranked third in Asia for the number of DV lottery winners, with 3,863 winners. The highest numbers in Asia were from Iran (5,777) and Afghanistan (4,536). Out of 143,000 DV lottery winners globally, up to 55,000 people will receive visas. The DV 2024 saw over 22.1 million eligible applicants worldwide, more than doubling the 9.57 million participants from DV 2023.
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Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs.
