The number of Nepalis receiving U.S. visitor visas has seen a significant drop, with the latest data for May showing a 60% decline compared to some previous months in the current fiscal year. This trend is largely attributed to the stricter immigration policies of the current U.S. administration.
According to data from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, only 908 Nepalis received U.S. visitor visas in May. This marks the lowest number for any month in the current fiscal year. When compared to previous months in the same fiscal year, this represents a 30% to 60% decrease.
For context, April saw 1,307 visas issued, March had 1,550, and February recorded 1,838. January had 2,150 approvals, while December and November saw 1,190 and 1,632, respectively. The current fiscal year began in October with 1,669 Nepalis receiving visitor visas.
Beyond the decrease in approvals, there has been a clear rise in the rejection rate for Nepali visitor visa applicants in recent years. In Fiscal Year 2024, only about 50.5% of Nepali applicants secured a U.S. visitor visa, meaning nearly half were denied. This is a considerable shift from the high approval rates observed during the initial three years of the Biden administration.
The rejection rate in FY 2024 was substantially higher than in FY 2023, when approximately 69% of Nepalis received their visas, and only 31.3% of applications were denied. To illustrate, while 24,309 Nepalis received visas in FY 2024 out of 48,100 applicants, 29,722 Nepalis were granted visas in FY 2023.
Historically, approval rates for Nepali visitor visas have varied. Fiscal Year 2022 saw a high approval rate of nearly 80%, with 18,245 out of 22,729 applicants receiving visas.
In Fiscal Year 2021, the rate was even higher at approximately 81%, with 7,128 out of 8,773 applicants approved. This period marked a historically high approval rate, partly due to numerous interview waivers for visa renewals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In contrast, during the previous Trump administration, Nepali visa rejection rates were generally elevated. In Fiscal Year 2020, approximately 51.9% of Nepali applicants were granted visitor visas, which was paradoxically the highest percentage compared to the three preceding years.
Despite this higher percentage, the total number of visas issued in 2020 (7,751) was greater than in 2021. The rejection rate in FY 2020 stood at 48.1%. Prior to 2020, rejection rates were 50.7% in FY 2019, 51.5% in FY 2018, and 46.4% in FY 2017.
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.
