During the first three months of the current fiscal year, a total of 1,841 Nepalis obtained U.S. immigrant visas, according to the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. These visas were granted under family-based, employment-based, and diversity categories for the fiscal year 2025.
In October, 669 Nepalis received immigrant visas, followed by 476 in November and 696 in December. Individuals who obtain an immigrant visa automatically receive a Green Card upon arrival in the U.S. Typically, they receive the Green Card at their designated address within a month of arrival.
Currently, spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Green Card holders face a waiting period of more than three years to obtain a visa at the U.S. Embassy. Meanwhile, siblings of U.S. citizens must wait approximately 17 years and six months to receive a visa or Green Card. Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens face a waiting period of nine years and four months, while unmarried adult children of Green Card holders must wait around eight years and nine months. Married children of U.S. citizens have the longest wait time, at approximately 14 years and seven months.
Among those who obtained immigrant visas in the first three months of fiscal year 2025, 217 received Diversity Visas (DV). In October, 14 Nepalis were granted DV visas, followed by only six in November. However, the number significantly increased to 197 in December. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, Nepalis with case numbers up to 2,950 were eligible for DV processing in October, November, and December. The eligibility number increased to 3,500 in January and February, 4,500 in March, and 5,950 in April.
For the current fiscal year, a total of 3,861 Nepalis were selected in the DV lottery. Among Asian countries, Nepal ranked third in the number of DV selections, following Iran with 5,267 and Afghanistan with 4,009 selectees. In the previous fiscal year (2024), out of 3,836 DV lottery winners, 3,431 received their U.S. immigrant visas, while the remaining selectees missed their chance to obtain a visa. Since 1995, more than 57,000 Nepalis have received Green Cards through the DV lottery, accounting for over 25% of all Nepali Green Card holders in the U.S. Nepalis rank among the top groups worldwide for receiving Green Cards through the lottery.
DV selectees for fiscal year 2025 must complete their visa process by September 2025. Under current law, those who fail to obtain their visa within the deadline will automatically lose their eligibility. Applicants who submitted their DV lottery entries between October 4 and November 7, 2023, can check their selection status. DV 2025 applicants are advised to keep their confirmation number until at least September 30, 2025.
During the first three months of fiscal year 2025, a total of 6,929 Nepalis received U.S. non-immigrant visas. In October, 2,722 Nepalis were granted non-immigrant visas, followed by 2,089 in November and 2,118 in December. The majority of these visas were visitor visas (B-category), with 4,499 issued in the three-month period. Specifically, 1,672 visitor visas were granted in October, 1,636 in November, and 1,191 in December.
Recent statistics indicate a significant rise in the visitor visa rejection rate for Nepali applicants. In fiscal year 2024, only 50.5% of total Nepali applicants were approved for a U.S. visitor visa. While approval rates were notably high in the first three years of the Biden administration, there was a sharp decline in the final year. According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, 49.5% of Nepali visitor visa applicants were denied. The rejection rate in fiscal year 2024 was significantly higher compared to fiscal year 2023. In 2024, a total of 24,309 Nepalis obtained U.S. visitor visas, out of 48,100 applicants.
Regarding student visas, 1,495 Nepalis received F-1 visas in the first three months of fiscal year 2025. Of these, 712 were granted in October, 167 in November, and 616 in December. Additionally, 84 dependents of F-1 visa holders received F-2 visas. In fiscal year 2024, a total of 13,187 Nepalis were issued student visas, more than double the number from fiscal year 2023.
According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) report, there are currently 16,933 Nepali students enrolled in U.S. institutions. This includes 10,430 male and 6,503 female students. The number of Nepali students in the U.S. has declined from January 2024, when there were 20,153 students. However, the number had previously peaked at 23,435 in March 2024.
There has also been a significant number of Nepalis obtaining temporary work visas under the H-1B category. In the first three months of the fiscal year, 330 Nepalis were granted H-1B visas, while an additional 71 dependents received H-4 visas. In fiscal year 2024, a total of 781 Nepalis were issued H-1B visas, and 288 dependents obtained H-4 visas, bringing the total to 1,069.
Additionally, nearly 1,000 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa via the Mexico border during this period. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that 440 Nepalis crossed the border in October and 300 in November. In fiscal year 2024, a total of 3,690 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa, compared to 3,140 in 2023, 1,490 in 2022, and 420 in 2021.
During the Trump administration, a total of 1,850 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa over four years, with 650 in 2017, 720 in 2018, 340 in 2019, and 140 in 2020. However, the number of Nepalis entering without a visa increased nearly fivefold under the Biden administration.
Many of these individuals paid thousands of dollars to smugglers to reach the U.S. border, where they were apprehended by border security patrols. Some were released into the U.S., while others were detained in immigration custody, and some faced deportation.
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.
