Tightened Student Visa Regulations Lead to Decline in Nepali Students Going to the US
Image Source, Reuters
Government statistics reveal a significant decrease in the number of Nepali students traveling to the United States even prior to the announcement of stricter US student visa regulations.
In 2026, nearly 66,000 Nepalis went abroad for studies, but only 1,671 traveled to the United States, according to the Immigration Department.
This week, the US Department of Homeland Security unveiled more stringent visa rules targeting students, which could further discourage many aspiring higher education seekers.
A government official noted that Nepali students have been adapting to immigration policies, and efforts are underway to strengthen educational diplomacy to address the challenges faced by students.
What the Data Shows
In the academic year 2024/25, Nepal ranked sixth among countries sending international students to the US, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report.
During the same year, 24,890 Nepali students were enrolled in American colleges and universities. However, recent months have seen a significant decline in the number of Nepali students traveling to the US.
In 2024, 14,205 Nepali students went to the US for studies, whereas only 8,123 did so in 2025.
The number of Nepali students going to the US further dropped in 2026. By mid-July, around 66,000 Nepalis had gone abroad, but only 1,673 arrived in the US.
During President Trump’s administration, immigration policies were tightened, leading to an increased rejection rate of student visa applications from Nepali applicants.
A report by Sorrelight, which works in the education sector, noted that in 2025, the rejection rate for Nepali student visa applications reached 81 percent.
The Institute of International Education indicated a 59 percent decline in international student applications in 2026/27.
According to the July 2026 Department of Homeland Security data, 32,852 Nepali students are currently active in the US, comprising approximately 18,300 men and 14,500 women.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System shows Nepali students are enrolled in the following academic programs:
- Associate (Undergraduate): 6,942
- Bachelors: 11,581
- Doctorate: 4,239
- Masters: 9,563
Potential Impact of the New Regulations
Image Source, Getty Images
The Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that foreign students will no longer be allowed to stay in the US for more than four years without federal government approval.
The new rules will make changing courses or transferring between universities or colleges difficult and allow only 30 days after graduation to return home or obtain another visa.
The US government aims to implement these regulations from September 2026 to prevent visa misuse and reinforce national security.
These rules will apply to students holding ‘F’ and ‘J’ visas, restricting their stay in the US to a maximum of four years.
Currently, students could stay up to three years beyond their study period for Optional Practical Training, which provided employment opportunities and pathways to long-term visas.
New York-based immigration attorney Basu Phular explained that these changes will primarily affect new students.
He said, “Newly enrolled students will be allowed to stay a maximum of four years. Current students will be allowed to remain until they complete their course, but limited time will be granted upon travel or reentry.”
He interpreted the new policy as the government’s rationale to limit the length of stay of student visa holders and encourage return to their home countries.
He also noted a decline in visa acceptance rates and cancellations of visas for those found abusing the system. The drop in Nepali students traveling to the US started even before the new rules were announced.
Since January, the US government has required Nepali applicants for tourist and business visas to pay a bond of between $5,000 and $15,000.
Recently, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has requested US officials to remove Nepal from the list of countries required to post bonds.
Higher Education Consultants’ Perspectives
Sheshnarayan Bhattarai, former president of the Nepal Educational Consultancy Association, said the US remains the top choice for Nepali students pursuing higher education and that the government’s decision will impact Nepal significantly.
He said, “For those who genuinely want to study, the US is always the first choice. The number of Nepalis going to America has remained high for the past three decades.”
“This decision will pose a big challenge to students preparing for SAT or GRE exams and hoping to secure scholarships to study in the US.”
As director of Orbit International Education, he affirmed that fluctuations in international immigration policies directly affect Nepali students.
He stated, “We must improve communications and advance diplomatic initiatives. Although many students go to the US and Australia, we have not demonstrated the diplomatic skills necessary.”
Former Nepali ambassador to Washington Shankar Sharma also noted that the Trump administration adopted stringent immigration policies and emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to address student visa rejections.
Comments from Education Ministry Officials
According to Education Ministry officials, the US remains a primary destination for Nepali students.
As per data up to Falgun 2081 (around February 2025), the highest number of ‘No Objection Letters’ for study purposes were issued for the US, following Australia, Japan, the UK, and Canada.
This fiscal year, around 114,000 Nepalis have obtained prior approval letters to study abroad, nearly 4,500 less than the previous year.
Image Source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The Education Ministry states that Nepali students travel abroad for higher education after complying with the destination countries’ immigration regulations, and efforts are underway to promote educational diplomacy to resolve challenges faced by students.
Ministry spokesperson Shivkumar Sapkota shared that a framework for educational diplomacy has been in development for two years and that educational cooperation offices could be established in relevant countries. This will help address issues faced by universities and students.
Sapkota added that discussions with the Foreign Ministry and other ministries are ongoing but no definitive results have been achieved yet.
“Dialogue is still underway. Our government needs to be able to reach students wherever they are. The Education Ministry is sensitive to this issue, yet a shared understanding among stakeholders has not yet been established for formalization.”
In the first 11 months of this fiscal year, Nepal has spent NPR 13.223 billion on foreign education expenses, compared to NPR 12.475 billion in the previous fiscal year.
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