May 2025 witnessed an unprecedented number of Nepali students securing U.S. student visas, despite significant policy fluctuations under the Trump administration.
According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, 818 Nepali students were granted F-1 student visas in May, marking the highest monthly figure for the current fiscal year. Additionally, 70 dependents of these students received F-2 visas, allowing them to accompany the primary visa holders to the United States.
This surge in visa approvals follows a steady upward trend in recent months. In April 2025, 701 Nepali students obtained F-1 visas, with 47 dependents receiving F-2 visas. March recorded 761 F-1 visas for Nepali students and 36 F-2 visas for their dependents. February saw 802 Nepali students securing F-1 visas, a figure that surpassed January’s 750 approvals.
Earlier months in the fiscal year showed lower numbers: 616 approvals in December 2024, 167 in November, and 712 in October. Fiscal year 2024, which concluded prior to this period, saw a total of 13,187 Nepali students granted F-1 visas, more than double the number from fiscal year 2023.
However, this record-breaking achievement in May occurred against the backdrop of stringent immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration. In the final week of May, the administration temporarily suspended new visa interview appointments for foreign students applying to U.S. universities, a move that impacted operations at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, which halted new appointment slots.
The high number of approvals in May was primarily due to interviews scheduled in prior months, as the suspension’s effects are expected to influence visa processing in June and July. Data for June visa approvals is yet to be released, leaving uncertainty about the immediate impact of the policy shift.
The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu resumed offering new student visa appointment slots on July 3, 2025, for August interviews, following the Trump administration’s decision to reinstate visa interview appointments.
However, this resumption came with stricter guidelines, particularly regarding social media scrutiny. The U.S. Department of State has directed embassies and consulates to enforce rigorous checks of visa applicants’ social media accounts.
The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu has explicitly warned applicants for F, M, or J non-immigrant visas to make their social media accounts public, as failure to disclose social media details from the past five years or maintaining private account settings could lead to visa denials or future ineligibility. The embassy emphasized that visa decisions are tied to national security considerations.
Applicants who have posted content supporting organizations listed as terrorist groups by the U.S. or who display hostility toward American citizens, culture, government, or founding principles risk rejection. This includes individuals suspected of supporting foreign terrorist organizations, engaging in unlawful anti-Semitic harassment, or promoting violence.
The embassy’s directive aligns with the Trump administration’s broader policy of intensifying social media vetting to identify potential security risks among visa applicants.
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.
