US Study Visa Processing From Nepal 2024

To be eligible to study in a University or College in the United States, an applicant who is a citizen of foreign country must obtain a student visa from the Visa Consulate/Embassy of the United States from nearby location.

A student visa issued for an applicant to continue their higher studies in University or College is termed as an F-1 visa. F-1 visa is categorized under non-immigration visa. Supporting documentation to be taken at the time of interview depends upon the requirement of the specific country’s visa consulate.

In order to apply for an F-1 visa, an applicant must apply to a SEVP, Student and Exchange Visitor Program-Approved university or college, get accepted and obtain an I-20.

To get a clearer picture of how to move on with the F-1 visa interview application, these step-by-step points can be helpful to the prospective F-1 visa applicants.

USA Student Visa Process From Nepal

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Apply for Admission and Receive an Acceptance/Admission Letter

After making an insightful research and selection of the university, an application along with the required application material should be submitted to the university. All the submitted application materials are reviewed and acceptance are granted to the qualified applicants.

Obtain an I-20

Once the applicant is admitted to the university, an applicant is able to obtain his/her I-20 by submitting required financial documents along with their valid passport.

Get Prepared for VISA Application

F-1 visa can be issued 120 days in advance of the academic course start date. However, the F-1 visa holders are not allowed to enter to the United States before 30 days of the course start date. Applicant’s passport needs to have at least couple of blank pages to get the visa printed once visa is approved.

Also, it is recommended to have the passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of stay for the intended academic course.

Make SEVIS / I-901 fee online payment (US $350.00)

If you are applying from Nepal, you can make the payment via any of the banks nearby.

SEVIS FEE NEPAL; (The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is required for students to apply for their student and exchange visitor visas. The fee varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Here is the key guideline:

* F-1 Visa (Academic and Language Students): The SEVIS fee for F-1 visa is $350.
* J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitors): The SEVIS fee for J-1 visa applicants is $220.

Please note that these fees can change over time, and it’s essential to check the most up-to-date information on the official U.S. government website or with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply for your visa.
Students require to have an active I-20/DS-2019 to proceed with its payment. SEVIS fee payment is valid for 1 year from the day of the payment.)

Complete and Submit DS-160

(Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) form prior to visa interview. Barcode ID which is obtained in the confirmation page after submission of DS-160 form is required while booking an interview date. A new DS-160 form should be completed and submitted each for reapplying visa interview. There will be no fees charged in order to submit this particular form.

It is suggested to the visa applicants to gather the following major documents before starting up
DS-160 form in order to avoid multiple sittings.

• Valid Passport and Citizenship
• Admission Letter and I-20 from anticipated university/ college
• All transcripts from which degrees are acquired starting form 10^th Grade
• 2 * 2 inch digital photograph as specified by visa consulate
• Work experience details , if applicable

Schedule an F-1 Visa Interview Appointment

Step 1:

Applicants are required to create their profile using their email account through this link https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Nepal.

Continue with the application through “Schedule My Appointment” option from homepage. Visa type, 10 digit barcode number from DS 160 confirmation, I-20 and passport information are required to fill in. 

Once landed to payment page, it displays ‘Cash’, ‘ATM’ or ‘Online Payment Option via Nepal Investment Bank. Interview scheduling fee is US dollar fee $160.00 and applicants shall be able to pay in the exchanged NPR amount.

Step 2:

Once the payment goes successful, applicants are provided with the receipt number from the Nepal Investment Bank. Usually, it takes minimum of 1 hour to have the receipt number get activated and reflected in the profile.

Step 3:

After the receipt number is activated in the profile, continue the application. Dates are now available to get scheduled. Interview Appointment Confirmation is required to be printed.

There is no visa reciprocity fees for students and exchange visitor visas for Nepali Nationalities.

Major Documents to be taken at the interview

• Appointment Confirmation Letter
• SEVIS/ I-901 Payment Confirmation
• DS 160 Barcode Confirmation Page
• Original Valid I 20
• Original Valid Passport
• Photograph- 2*2 inches ; covering the specification of the US Visa applicants
• Educational Transcripts

How long is the study visa processing time for the US?

When the visa is issued to a student, it generally takes at least 24 hours to 48 hours before you can collect the passport at the designated location. When the passport is ready to be picked up at the selected location, you will receive an email that your passport is “Ready for Pick Up”

How long is the visa processing time after biometrics?

In Nepal, biometrics is completed right before the interview starts. So, there is no wait time like in other countries.

How much does it cost for a visa appointment?

To be able to get a visa interview appointment, an applicant has to pay $185 for the appointment fee after filling out the DS-160 form and also pay a $350 SEVIS fee. 

What is the visa application process like?

After you receive your I-20, you will need to fill out a Non-immigrant Application form or DS 160 form using not more than six months old passport size photographs.

You will need a payment receipt for the DS-160 form and a SEVIS fee payment receipt. The payments can be made either with an international debit or credit card or at Nepal Investment Mega Bank branch or online using connectIPS e-Payment System. You can then create a profile at www.ustraveldocs.com to take the interview date at an available day. 

What is the success or failure rate in getting a US study visa?

The chances to secure a visa is totally dependent on the student’s ability to convince the visa officer that one has genuine reasons to study, secured finances as well as strong intents to return. Getting a visa should not be considered like a lottery or slot system. 

What is included in a SoP for a US application?

In general, a Statement of Purpose (SoP) is an essay with following parts: Introduction (tells about your motivation and your plans briefly), Body (tells about how your past education and work experience have prepared you for the proposed master’s program), and Conclusion (summarizing and establishing yourself as a suitable candidate).

What documents are required to be eligible for a US study visa interview? 

To take a US study visa interview, you will need to fill out a Non-immigrant Application form or DS 160 form using not more than six months old passport size photographs.

You will need a payment receipt for the DS-160 form, a SEVIS fee payment receipt, your I-20, your transcripts, and your passport which has at least six more months remaining from the program start date. Additionally, you may also be asked for your standardized test scores. 

How long is a USA study visa valid?

It depends on the length of the program of your studies.

Is Medical Insurance necessary for students in the USA?

Yes, it is mandatory and is generally provided by the enrolled university upon enrollment for the classes.

Is an interview required for a US study visa application?

Yes, it is required for first time students. A returning student may however, also apply to have the interview waived when applying for a visa as a returning student, given some conditions are met. The interview waiver conditions can be found at the link below: 

https://www.ustraveldocs.com/np/np-niv-visarenew.asp

Can I travel outside the USA while I’m on a student visa?

Definitely. Students often do so during their summer break sessions. You will have to get approval from your international student’s office and get your I-20 signed on the second page. You will be needing this when returning back to the US. 

Can I renew my USA study visa while I’m in the USA?

The US student visa can only be renewed at a US Embassy or a Consular Office outside of the USA. The student may continue to stay in the US even after the visa expires on the passport as long as the student maintains F1 status and takes the classes as required. If the student leaves the US during this time, he/she will have to renew it before entering back into the US. 

Are there USA visa consultants in Kathmandu?

There are many and they provide different quality of services. If you are looking for reliable, professional, internationally certified and trusted consultants to get accurate and personalized counseling services, then Edwise Foundation is one of the leading US Education Consulting firms in the valley since 2005.   

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