800 Nepalis Granted U.S. H-1B Visas for Specialty Occupations in a Year, But Many Skip Nepal’s Labor Approval

Over the past 12 months—from March 2024 to February 2025—800 Nepali citizens were granted H-1B work visas by the United States, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. These visas, intended for skilled foreign workers, reflect a growing demand for Nepali professionals in the U.S. job market.

However, during a similar period, Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment reported that only 354 Nepalis received labor approval to work in the U.S., revealing a significant discrepancy between U.S. visa issuances and Nepal’s labor clearance process. This gap suggests that many Nepalis are securing U.S. visas without obtaining labor permits from Nepal, effectively bypassing local regulations meant to protect overseas workers. 

In the Nepali calendar year 2081 B.S. (April 13, 2024, to April 13, 2025), the Department of Foreign Employment recorded 354 labor approvals for U.S.-bound workers, comprising 278 males and 76 females. This figure is notably lower than the previous year, 2080 B.S. (April 14, 2023, to April 12, 2024), when 467 Nepalis—including 367 males and 100 females—received labor clearance.

Monthly data for 2081 B.S. indicates fluctuations in approvals. Baisakh (April 13–May 13, 2024) saw 31 approvals, including 26 males and 5 females. Jestha (May 14–June 14, 2024) recorded 29 approvals (22 males, 7 females), while Asar (June 15–July 16, 2024) had 21. The highest monthly total was in Mangsir (November 17–December 15, 2024), with 47 approvals (34 males, 13 females). In contrast, Falgun (February 13–March 13, 2025) recorded only 17 approvals. For comparison, Mangsir of 2080 B.S. had peaked at 70 approvals, suggesting that either oversight has become more stringent or fewer applications were submitted this year.

The H-1B visa, governed by Section 101(a)(15)(H) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, allows American employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills. It permits an initial stay of up to three years, extendable to six years, and is one of the primary pathways for skilled Nepalis to enter the U.S. workforce.

In the U.S. fiscal year 2024, 781 Nepalis were granted H-1B visas, and an additional 288 dependents received H-4 visas. Altogether, 1,069 Nepalis benefited from H-category visa programs during that year. Monthly H-1B approvals ranged from a high of 150 in November 2023 to a low of 33 in August 2024.

Since the start of the Biden administration, the U.S. has issued approximately 3,500 H-category visas to Nepali nationals—a 50% increase compared to the 2,300 issued during President Trump’s first term. The recent rise in approvals is evident in year-by-year figures: 327 in 2021, 905 in 2022, and 1,135 in 2023, signaling a steady increase in opportunities for skilled Nepali workers in the United States.