Over 20% Decline in Nepali Visitors and Students to the U.S. in the First 11 Months of 2025

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), a total of 35,449 Nepalis entered the United States on nonimmigrant visas during the first eleven months of 2025. The figures for November are preliminary, while data for the other ten months are final. This figure, based on I-94 records, primarily includes those arriving on visitor (B1/B2) and student (F/M) visas.

On a monthly basis in 2025, 4,051 Nepalis arrived in January, 1,873 in February, 2,480 in March, 2,553 in April, 3,873 in May, and 3,151 in June. Similarly, 3,846 arrived in July, 5,879 in August, 3,485 in September, 2,434 in October, and 1,824 in November. According to the data, August recorded the highest number of Nepali visitors to the United States during this period.

Monthly Comparison of Nepali Visitor and Student Arrivals to the U.S. (2024 vs. 2025)

In 2024, a total of 48,525 Nepalis entered the United States on nonimmigrant visas. Comparing the first eleven months of 2024 with the same period in 2025 shows a significant decline in the number of Nepali arrivals. While 44,461 Nepalis entered during the first eleven months of 2024, the number dropped by more than 9,000 in 2025 — a decline of nearly 20 percent.

Monthly data for 2024 show that 4,538 Nepalis arrived in January, 2,384 in February, 2,889 in March, 3,055 in April, 4,325 in May, and 3,897 in June. Likewise, 4,779 arrived in July, 9,339 in August, 3,534 in September, 3,549 in October, 2,172 in November, and 4,064 in December. The figures indicate that August had the highest number of Nepali visitors, while November recorded the lowest.

In earlier years, the number of Nepalis entering the United States as visitors and students stood at 42,472 in 2023, 30,116 in 2022, and 18,436 in 2021. Due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, the number plummeted to 8,134 in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, arrivals were 33,760 in 2019, 32,077 in 2018, 31,978 in 2017, 31,401 in 2016, and 25,968 in 2015.

From 2000 to 2024, the number of visitors traveling from Nepal to the United States shows significant fluctuations and long-term growth. Starting from 4,101 arrivals in 2000, the figure steadily rose to 14,706 by 2008. Though there were moderate declines in some intervening years, the trend shows rapid growth after 2014.

Nepali Visitor and Student Arrivals to the USA (2000–2024)

The I‑94 record has been a key document used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more than five decades. Since 1983, the U.S. Department of Commerce has used I‑94 data to track international arrivals. Originally issued as a white paper card, the I‑94 system is now fully electronic. It serves as official proof of a person’s lawful entry into the United States, their authorized length of stay, and departure record.

For data collection, the United States follows the standards of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Under this definition, a “visitor” is someone who travels outside their country of residence, stays at least one night but less than one year, for purposes other than permanent migration or employment. When calculating arrivals, the U.S. primarily considers visa type, length of stay, and country of residence. Since 2011, the data have been categorized by month, visa type, mode of transportation, and port of entry.