Recent data from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs reveals a noticeable decline in the number of Nepali citizens receiving U.S. student and visitor visas in March 2025. This drop reflects broader trends influenced by increasingly stringent U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration, affecting both categories of visa issuance.
In March 2025, only 761 Nepali students were granted F-1 student visas—a decrease from 802 in February 2025, which marked the highest monthly figure in the current fiscal year. An additional 36 dependents received F-2 visas. For comparison, January 2025 saw 750 F-1 visas issued to Nepali students, while earlier months recorded lower figures: 616 in December 2024, 167 in November 2024, and 712 in October 2024. Although March numbers fell slightly from February, they remained among the highest monthly totals of the fiscal year.
Fiscal year 2024 was particularly notable for Nepali students, with 13,187 F-1 visas issued—more than double the total from fiscal year 2023. According to the ICE SEVIS report, 16,933 Nepali students are currently studying in the United States, including 10,430 males and 6,503 females. This reflects a decline from 20,153 students in January 2024 and from the peak of 23,435 recorded in March 2024.
The number of U.S. visitor visas (B-1/B-2) issued to Nepalis also declined significantly in March 2025. Only 1,550 individuals were granted these visas, compared to 1,838 in February and 2,150 in January. While March’s figure exceeded the December 2024 total of 1,190, it was lower than both November 2024 (1,632) and October 2024 (1,669). Stricter immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration are cited as a key reason behind the declining approval rates.
In fiscal year 2024, the visitor visa approval rate for Nepali applicants dropped to 50.5%, down from 69% in fiscal year 2023. Out of 48,100 applicants in 2024, approximately 24,309 were approved, while 49.5% were denied. By contrast, in fiscal year 2022, 80% of 22,729 applicants (18,245 individuals) were approved, and in 2021, under the Biden administration, the approval rate reached 81%, with 7,128 of 8,773 applicants receiving visas—largely due to relaxed policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visa rejection rates for Nepali applicants have long been a concern. During the Trump administration in 2020, only 51.9% of approximately 15,000 Nepali visitor visa applicants were approved. Approval rates in earlier years were even lower: 50.7% in 2019, 51.5% in 2018, and 46.4% in 2017. In contrast, the Biden administration’s early years saw record-high approval rates, peaking 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.
