F-1 Student Visa for the USA from Nepal, Complete Guide 2026
The F-1 visa is the US student visa for degree-seeking students. You need an I-20 from your university, pay the SEVIS fee (USD 350), complete DS-160 online, and attend a visa interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu. Financial evidence of USD 40,000–80,000 per year is required depending on your program cost. F-1 visa refusal rates for Nepali students have declined since 2022 with stronger financial documentation.
What Is the F-1 Visa and Who Qualifies?
The F-1 visa is the most common US student visa for full-time academic study at a SEVP-certified institution (university, college, or language school). You must be accepted to a full-time program, be enrolled as a full-time student each semester, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and not work off-campus without authorization.
The F-2 visa is available for your spouse and children under 21 as dependents. F-2 holders cannot work in the US. J-1 visas are for exchange students and visiting researchers, different requirements and process. M-1 visas are for vocational/non-academic programs.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your F-1 Visa from Nepal
Step 1, Get your I-20: After receiving your admission offer, contact your university's Designated School Official (DSO) to request the I-20 form. The I-20 lists your program, start date, and estimated financial requirements. Allow 2–4 weeks for processing.
Step 2, Pay the SEVIS Fee: Pay the USD 350 SEVIS I-901 fee at fmjfee.com using your I-20 information. Keep the receipt, you'll need it at the interview. The fee is non-refundable.
Step 3, Complete DS-160: Fill out the DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application at ceac.state.gov. Upload a recent passport photo meeting US specifications. Note your application ID.
Step 4, Schedule Interview: Book your visa interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu at ustraveldocs.com/np. Pay the MRV application fee (USD 185). Interview slots for F-1 applicants are generally available 4–8 weeks in advance.
Step 5, Attend Interview: Bring passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS fee receipt, financial documents, admission letter, and photos. The interview is brief (5–15 minutes). Answer in English clearly and confidently.
| Step | Action | Fee / Wait |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Request I-20 from DSO | 2–4 weeks |
| 2 | Pay SEVIS I-901 fee (fmjfee.com) | USD 350 |
| 3 | Complete DS-160 (ceac.state.gov) | No fee |
| 4 | Pay MRV fee, book interview | USD 185, 4–8 weeks |
| 5 | Attend interview at Kathmandu Embassy | 5–15 minutes |
Financial Evidence Requirements, What You Need to Show
The US Embassy requires proof that you can fund your education and living costs for the entire duration of study, or at minimum for the first year. A general rule: show funds equal to tuition + living costs for Year 1. This ranges from USD 40,000 (state university in low-cost city) to USD 100,000 (Ivy League in Boston/NYC).
Acceptable financial documents: bank statements (minimum 3 months, ideally 6 months), fixed deposit certificates, property valuations, CA-certified income statements, salary slips for sponsors. Funds can be from parents, relatives, or yourself. Nepali students commonly show a combination of fixed deposits and property documents. Liquid savings of at least USD 25,000–40,000 dramatically improves approval odds.
Unlike Australia's Genuine Student (GS) requirement, the US doesn't require savings to be held for a minimum period, but bank statements should show a stable, explainable balance. Sudden large transfers into accounts immediately before applying raise red flags.
US Embassy Kathmandu, Interview Tips for Nepali Students
The US Embassy in Kathmandu (Maharajgunj) handles F-1 student visa interviews Monday–Friday. Arrive 30 minutes early. Security checks are strict, leave electronic devices at home or the nearby deposit facilities.
Common interview questions for Nepali F-1 applicants: "Why did you choose this specific university?", "What will you study?", "How are you funding your education?", "What do you plan to do after graduation?", "Do you have family in the US?", "Why did you choose the US over other countries?". Be specific about your university choice and career goals. Demonstrate ties to Nepal (family, property, job offer upon return).
The 214(b) presumption: US immigration law presumes every F-1 applicant intends to immigrate. Your job is to overcome this presumption by demonstrating strong ties to Nepal and clear intention to return after studies. Mentioning career plans back in Nepal or family obligations helps. Many Nepali students are approved even without demonstrating definite return plans if financial documents are strong.
Arriving in the USA, Port of Entry and I-94
You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date listed on the I-20. At the port of entry (US airport immigration), a CBP officer will stamp your passport and create an I-94 arrival record. Check your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov within 3 days of arrival.
Your F-1 status allows you to stay in the US for "duration of status" (D/S), meaning as long as you are enrolled full-time and maintaining status, not a fixed date. This is different from other visa types. If you take a leave of absence or drop below full-time without DSO authorization, you fall out of status.
Report to your DSO within the first week of arrival to activate your SEVIS record. Failure to report can cause SEVIS termination, which invalidates your status.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the F-1 visa refusal rate for Nepali students?
The US Embassy does not publish country-specific refusal rates, so any figure you see quoted is an estimate rather than official data. In practice, Nepali F-1 applicants with strong financial documentation, meaning around USD 40,000 or more in liquid assets, a clear study purpose, and a well-prepared application, have good approval odds at the Maharajgunj embassy. Refusals most commonly happen under section 214(b), where the applicant cannot convincingly explain their choice of course and university, shows inadequate or unstable funds, or fails to demonstrate genuine academic intent. To improve your chances, keep your bank balance stable for several months, know your programme and career plan in detail, and answer concisely in clear English. If refused, you can reapply once your documentation or preparation has genuinely improved.
Can I work in the US on an F-1 visa?
Yes, within defined limits. On-campus employment is allowed up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during official breaks, with no separate authorisation needed from your first semester. Off-campus employment always requires specific prior authorisation: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for curriculum-linked internships during study, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) for work after graduation, which gives 12 months and up to 36 months for STEM graduates. Unauthorised off-campus work, including remote or freelance jobs for foreign employers in some cases, is a serious visa violation that can lead to SEVIS termination and removal from the US. Always clear any paid work with your DSO first, keep documentation, and never start a role before your authorisation is approved.
What is the SEVIS fee and is it refundable?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is USD 350 for F-1 student visa applicants, paid once per programme of study. It funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the US government database that tracks international students and exchange visitors throughout their stay. You pay it online at fmjfee.com using the information on your I-20 before your visa interview, and you must bring the payment receipt to the embassy, since the officer will expect to see it. The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is denied or you decide not to travel. If you defer your start date at the same school within the allowed window, the existing payment can usually carry over, but a transfer to a brand-new SEVIS record may require paying again, so confirm with your DSO.
How early can I enter the US before my program starts?
You can enter the US up to 30 days before the programme start date printed on your I-20, and not earlier, since CBP officers enforce this 30-day rule at the port of entry. Your F-1 status does not formally begin until your actual programme start date, so arriving within that window gives you time to settle in, find housing, open a bank account, attend orientation, and complete any required immigration check-in. Plan your flight from Kathmandu accordingly, allowing for the 18 to 25 hour journey and at least one layover. After arrival, download your electronic I-94 within a few days and report to your DSO during your first week to activate your SEVIS record, as failing to report on time can lead to SEVIS termination and loss of status.
Can I change my US university after getting the F-1 visa?
Yes, you can transfer to a different university after arriving in the US, but you must follow the SEVIS transfer process. Your current university releases your SEVIS record to the new university, which then issues a new I-20. Do not simply stop attending your current school without initiating the official SEVIS transfer, this creates a status violation. The transfer must be initiated before or shortly after your program start date. Once enrolled at the new school, your F-1 status continues without interruption. Common reasons Nepali students transfer: better scholarship offer, closer Nepali community, better program fit. Always coordinate through both universities' International Student Offices.
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