The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the H-1B visa lottery registration for the upcoming fiscal year will be open from March 7 at noon to March 24 at noon. This program grants 85,000 work visas annually and remains highly sought after by Nepalis. Over the past eight years, nearly 6,000 Nepalis have received H-category visas, demonstrating the growing interest in this visa among Nepali professionals.
According to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, approximately 3,500 Nepalis were granted H-category visas during the Biden administration. In contrast, around 2,300 Nepalis received the same visa type during the previous Trump administration. This indicates a 50% increase in approvals under Biden compared to Trump’s first term.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, a total of 781 Nepalis obtained H-1B visas, while 288 dependents received H-4 visas, making a total of 1,069 Nepalis who secured H-category visas. The monthly distribution of H-1B visa approvals varied throughout the year. The highest number of approvals was in November (150), followed by October (90) and December (99). The numbers remained relatively steady in the following months, with 53 approvals in January, 44 in February, 56 in March, 66 in April, 43 in May, 53 in June, 48 in July, 33 in August, and 46 in September.
The number of Nepalis receiving H-category visas has fluctuated over the years. In FY 2023, 1,135 Nepalis were granted H visas, while 905 received them in 2022. The number was significantly lower in FY 2021, with only 327 visas issued. Looking further back, 517 Nepalis received H-category visas in 2020, 641 in 2019, 574 in 2018, and 597 in 2017. During the prior Trump administration from 2017 to 2020, approximately 2,300 Nepalis were issued H visas.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa in the United States that allows employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. Only professional workers in specialty occupations are allowed to apply for an H-1B visa. According to USCIS, the occupation requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in a directly related specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.
The position must also meet strict criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation. A U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in a directly related specific specialty, or its equivalent, is normally the minimum entry requirement for the particular occupation.
Alternatively, such a degree is normally required to perform job duties in parallel positions among similar organizations in the employer’s industry in the United States. Or, the employer, or third party if the beneficiary will be staffed to that third party, normally requires a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in a directly related specific specialty, or its equivalent, to perform the job duties of the position. Or, the specific duties of the offered position are so specialized, complex, or unique that the knowledge required to perform them is normally associated with the attainment of a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in a directly related specific specialty, or its equivalent, according to USCIS.
To qualify to perform services in a specialty occupation, an individual must hold a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university. Or, they must hold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university. Or, they must hold an unrestricted state license, registration, or certification that authorizes them to fully practice the specialty occupation and be immediately engaged in that specialty in the state of intended employment.
Additionally, the beneficiary must have education, specialized training, and/or progressively responsible experience that is equivalent to the completion of a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in the specialty occupation, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
