Nepal punches well above its weight in US immigration. Despite its relatively small population, Nepal is consistently one of the top Diversity Visa Lottery winning countries globally, and Nepali students represent one of the fastest-growing international student populations at US universities. This 2026 guide covers every US visa pathway available to Nepali citizens.
B-2 Tourist Visa for Nepali Citizens
Nepal is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. All Nepali citizens need a B-1/B-2 visa to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment. The US Embassy in Kathmandu handles all nonimmigrant visa applications. Check current appointment wait times at travel.state.gov/wait-times.
| Factor | Details for Nepal 2026 |
|---|---|
| Interview location | US Embassy Kathmandu, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu |
| Appointment wait time | 30–120 days (varies seasonally) |
| MRV application fee | $185 (non-refundable) |
| Denial rate | Moderate-High — students and young applicants face higher scrutiny |
| Key approval factors | Stable income, property, family ties, prior international travel, bank statements |
| Visa validity | Typically 5-10 years, multiple entry, up to 6 months per visit |
F-1 Student Visa: Nepal’s Fastest-Growing Pathway
Nepal has one of the highest per-capita rates of students studying in the US among South Asian countries. Nepali students gravitate toward US universities for engineering, IT, nursing, and business programs. After graduation, F-1 OPT allows 12 months of US work experience (36 months for STEM graduates), and many Nepali graduates transition to H-1B sponsorship. See official SEVP-certified school search and F-1 rules at studyinthestates.dhs.gov.
DV Lottery: Nepal’s Top Green Card Pathway
Nepal is historically one of the top-performing DV Lottery countries in Asia. Because Nepal’s immigration to the US has historically been relatively low (compared to India or China, which are excluded), Nepal receives a disproportionately high share of DV visas relative to its population. Winners, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21 all receive green cards.
2026 update: The Department of State paused issuance of Diversity Visas on December 18, 2025, pending a security review, and as of this writing DV-2027 registration has not opened. This pause affects Nepali applicants along with every other DV-eligible country. See our DV Lottery guide for the latest status before you plan around this pathway.
Work Visas and EB-3 Nursing for Nepalis
| Pathway | Details | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Tech, engineering, and finance workers. Annual lottery, no per-country backlog for Nepal. | 3–6 years |
| EB-3 Nurse / Healthcare | Strong pathway: NCLEX-RN required, CGFNS credential verification, US hospital sponsor. No backlog for Nepal. | 2–4 years to green card |
| DV Lottery | Nepal ranks among top global winners. Free entry each October-November. | Green card if selected |
| F-1 → OPT → H-1B | Graduate from US university → OPT/STEM OPT → H-1B sponsorship. Most common path for Nepali STEM graduates. | 3–7 years total |
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: August 1, 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only.
Next step: Already have a US job offer? See the full H-1B visa guide for the lottery timeline and process. Applying as a nurse? Check specific EB-3 healthcare worker requirements before starting your NCLEX-RN prep.
