Starting this month, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu will open new student visa appointment slots each month. The embassy announced that these slots will be available on a specific day each month, which will be announced in advance. The first date is September 4.
Due to the long wait times for visa appointments at U.S. embassies, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu has introduced this new plan to make the process easier. While the embassy has occasionally opened additional appointment slots in the past, this is the first time it has done so on a regular monthly basis. To manage the high demand, the embassy has also conducted visa interviews on Sundays, which are typically holidays.
On average, it takes about 10 months to get an appointment for visitor and student visas at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu. However, since waiting 10 months for a student visa appointment can cause students to miss their studies, the embassy has taken this new step to reduce the wait time. Those planning to study in the U.S. in 2025 can now benefit from these additional visa appointment slots starting in September.
The number of Nepali applicants for U.S. student visas has increased significantly in recent times, leading to a historic record in the number of student visas issued to Nepali students.
In July, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs reported an unprecedented record in the number of Nepali students receiving U.S. student visas in the current fiscal year. A total of 1,788 Nepali students received U.S. student visas in July, the highest number for the current fiscal year. Additionally, 63 dependents received F-2 visas.
This brings the total number of Nepali students receiving U.S. student visas in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year to 10,988. In June, a new record was also set with 1,700 Nepali students and 76 dependents receiving U.S. visas, the highest number for the first nine months of the fiscal year.
In May, 1,508 Nepali students received U.S. student visas, the highest number since January 2024. Additionally, 60 dependents received F-2 visas.
In January, 1,101 Nepali students received U.S. student visas, followed by 201 in February, 395 in March, and 1,399 in April. In the first three months of the U.S. fiscal year 2024 (October, November, and December 2023), 2,896 Nepali students received U.S. student visas.
In October, 508 Nepali students received U.S. student visas, followed by 784 in November and 1,604 in December. Additionally, 111 dependents received F-2 visas, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
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Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha is a Europe-based journalist. He covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs. Shrestha previously worked as a reporter for Khasokhas in Nepal.
