In the first month of U.S. President Donald Trump’s new administration, February 2025, the number of Nepalis receiving immigrant visas saw a notable increase. However, data from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs shows a decline in March 2025, with only 657 Nepalis receiving immigrant visas—down from 797 in February and 778 in January, the final month of President Joe Biden’s term. This marks a significant drop, making March the lowest month for immigrant visa issuances to Nepalis in the current fiscal year, except for November (476).
Among the visa recipients, Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners constituted the largest group. In February, 394 DV winners received immigrant visas, but this number fell sharply to 280 in March. Similarly, visas issued to parents of U.S. citizens declined from 173 in February to 164 in March. The February peak surpassed all other months in the fiscal year: October recorded 669, November 476, December 696, and January 778.
Immigrant visas allow recipients—who apply from Nepal or outside the U.S.—to obtain green cards, typically within a month of arriving in the United States. Each year, over 10,000 Nepalis secure green cards, with 11,640 doing so in fiscal year 2023, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Of these, 7,560 came through immigrant visas issued in Nepal, including 3,375 DV lottery winners and approximately 1,000 asylees. Additionally, around 8,000 Nepalis obtained family- or employment-based green cards.
In 2022, a total of 12,010 Nepalis received green cards, including 2,894 through the DV lottery and 1,262 through asylum.
Historical data shows fluctuations in green card issuances to Nepalis: 13,046 in 2013; 12,357 in 2014; 12,926 in 2015; 12,851 in 2016; 11,610 in 2017; 11,953 in 2018; and 10,201 in 2019. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 7,847 Nepalis received green cards in 2020 and 7,309 in 2021.
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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.
