Record Number of Nepali Students Granted US Visas: Over 10K in 10 Months Amidst Mounting Financial and Emotional Pressures

Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash

According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US Department of State, an unprecedented number of Nepali students have received US student visas in the current fiscal year. In July alone, 1,788 Nepali students were granted visas, the highest monthly total for the year. Additionally, 63 of their dependents received F2 visas.

This brings the total number of Nepali students who have received US visas in the first 10 months of the fiscal year to 10,988. This follows a record set in June, when 1,700 Nepali students and 76 of their dependents were granted visas, marking the highest number in the first nine months of the fiscal year.

In May, 1,508 Nepali students received US visas, along with 60 of their dependents. The monthly totals for the earlier months of 2024 were as follows: January (1,101), February (201), March (395), and April (1,399).

Building E at the east end of the LaGuardia Community College campus in New York. In the 2022/23 academic year, 3.7% of international students at community colleges in the USA were from Nepal, according to the Open Doors report. (Jim.hendersonCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

During the first three months of the fiscal year 2024 (October, November, and December 2023), 2,896 Nepali students received US visas, with monthly totals of 508 in October, 784 in November, and 1,604 in December. Additionally, 111 dependents received F2 visas during this period.

Amidst the growing number of Nepali students pursuing education in the United States, many are feeling overwhelmed by the intense mental and financial pressures they face.

Lone Star College System ranks as the top community college in the USA for hosting international students, followed by the Houston Community College System, according to the Open Doors report.  (Ashley Turner , CC BY-SA 4.0, Link)

One student, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed the difficulty of balancing academic demands with financial obligations: “The mental and financial pressure is immense. It’s hard to find a job and pay college fees. Family expectations add to the stress. Even when we find a job, employers often don’t pay proper wages.”

Another student shared their struggles post-graduation, highlighting the challenges of maintaining their immigration status: “After completing my studies, it’s very hard to find a job to maintain my immigration status. My family doesn’t want to go back to Nepal and wants to settle in the USA, but pursuing immigration status here is challenging after graduation.”