Study in
United States
The USA has more universities than any other destination and the most flexible degree structure — you can enter undecided and specialise later. It also has the most substantial scholarship and assistantship funding available to international students, though the visa turns on an interview rather than paperwork alone.
Immigration and cost information on this page was last reviewed on . Every figure below shows the organisation it came from and when it was checked. Rules and fees change — confirm against the official source before you apply or pay anything.
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Destination overview
The United States offers more institutions, more programme variety and more institutional funding than any other destination — and the least predictable visa process. Where Australia and the UK assess a documentary file, the US decision is made by a consular officer in a short in-person interview. That single difference shapes everything: your documents matter, but your ability to explain your plans clearly and honestly, in person, matters just as much.
Why students choose USA
- Roughly four thousand degree-granting institutions, from large public research universities to small liberal arts colleges, so the range of entry points is unusually wide.
- Undergraduate degrees let you begin without declaring a major and specialise after a year or two — valuable if you are genuinely undecided.
- The deepest pool of funding for international students: merit scholarships, need-aware aid at some private institutions, and graduate assistantships that carry a tuition waiver plus a stipend.
- Optional Practical Training gives graduates a period of work authorisation in their field, extended for eligible STEM graduates.
- Research output and laboratory facilities at the leading universities are genuinely unmatched.
Strengths of the education system
- Dominant global position in computer science, engineering and business research.
- The liberal arts model builds breadth alongside a major, which employers in many fields value.
- Graduate assistantships make funded master's and doctoral study realistically achievable for strong applicants.
- Strong community college system offering a lower-cost route into a bachelor's degree through transfer agreements.
Qualification recognition
US degrees are accredited regionally rather than nationally, and regional accreditation is the standard that matters — verify it before applying, because unaccredited institutions exist and their qualifications carry little weight anywhere. Professional licensure in fields such as engineering, accountancy, nursing and law is regulated state by state, so a qualification recognised in one state may require further steps in another, and none of it transfers automatically back to Nepal.
Student life and living
Costs vary enormously — a public university in the Midwest and a private university in California are different financial propositions entirely. On-campus housing is common in the first year and simplifies arrival considerably. Health insurance is mandatory at nearly every institution and is expensive; it is usually bundled into the student account. Distances are large and public transport outside major cities is limited, which affects where you can realistically live without a car.
What students from Nepal should know about USA
- The F-1 interview is the decisive step. Nepal has a substantial volume of student applicants and officers are experienced in this cohort — clear, honest, consistent answers matter more than rehearsed ones.
- You must demonstrate non-immigrant intent: that you intend to return to Nepal after your studies. This is a legal requirement of the F-1 category and is assessed at interview.
- Funding evidence must be genuine, documented and clearly connected to you or your sponsor. Officers assess whether the funding story is credible as a whole.
- Appointment availability at the Embassy in Kathmandu varies and cannot be predicted. Build slack into your timeline and never book non-refundable travel first.
- Administrative processing after an otherwise positive interview can add unpredictable time. It is not a refusal, but it cannot be scheduled around.
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Education system
How qualifications in USA are structured, and how long each level takes.
Intensive English Program
8 weeks – 1 year
University-linked English preparation, often with conditional admission to a degree on reaching the required level.
Community college (Associate degree)
2 years
A lower-cost entry point with articulation agreements allowing transfer into the third year of a bachelor's degree at a partner university.
Bachelor's degree
4 years
General education in the first two years, then a declared major. Changing major is normal and structurally accommodated.
Master's degree
1.5–2 years
Coursework, often with a thesis or capstone option. Assistantships are most commonly available at this level and above.
Doctoral degree (PhD)
4–6 years
Usually entered directly from a bachelor's or master's, beginning with coursework and qualifying examinations before research. Most funded positions include a tuition waiver and stipend.
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Intakes and when to start preparing
Not every institution offers every intake. Always confirm availability for your specific programme.
Fall
Major intakeAugust – September
Start preparing: September–November of the previous year
The principal intake. The widest programme choice, and the intake where nearly all assistantships and scholarships are allocated.
Spring
SecondaryJanuary
Start preparing: March–May of the previous year
Widely available, though funding is considerably scarcer and some programmes admit only in Fall.
Summer
LimitedMay – June
Start preparing: August–October of the previous year
Offered by a minority of institutions for a narrow set of programmes.
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Academic requirements
Requirements are set by each institution and each course. Treat the guidance below as a starting point, not a rule.
- Undergraduate applicants
- Nepali +2 or equivalent Grade 12 with strong results. Many institutions expect SAT scores, though a large number are now test-optional — check each institution's current policy, as it changes. Essays and extracurricular involvement carry real weight in a way they do not in most other destinations, particularly at selective institutions.
- Postgraduate applicants
- A four-year bachelor's degree is the standard expectation. A three-year Nepali bachelor's is assessed institution by institution: some accept it, some require an additional year or a credential evaluation. Establish this early, as it can rule out programmes. GRE or GMAT may be required, though many programmes have made them optional.
- Doctoral applicants
- Applications are assessed on research fit above all. Identify faculty whose work aligns with your interests and address that specifically. A strong statement of purpose and academic references matter more than marginal differences in grades.
- Applicants with a study gap
- Gaps are generally accepted where documented, particularly with relevant employment. What matters more at interview is that your overall trajectory makes sense — why this course now, and how it fits what you did before and intend to do after.
- Applicants with backlogs
- US institutions assess the transcript as a whole through a GPA conversion. A few weak semesters offset by a strong trajectory is a recoverable position. Submit complete records — credential evaluators verify against the issuing institution.
- Transfer applicants
- Transfer from a community college or from a university in Nepal is a well-established route. Credit transfer is assessed course by course; get a written credit evaluation before committing.
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English language requirements
| Test | Typical range |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Commonly 79–100 overallHistorically the most widely expected test in the US, though IELTS is now equally accepted almost everywhere. |
| IELTS Academic | Commonly 6.5–7.5 overall |
| PTE Academic | Commonly 53–68 overall |
| Duolingo | Widely accepted, commonly 105–125US institutions adopted the Duolingo English Test more broadly than any other destination, but acceptance is still institution-specific. |
Admission English and visa English are not the same thing
Unlike Australia, the UK or Canada, US immigration does not itself set an English test requirement for the F-1 visa — the institution sets the standard and confirms your admission on the I-20. That means there is only one bar to clear, the university's. However, the consular officer will form a view of your English at interview, since you must be able to explain your study plans clearly. A high test score and an inability to hold the conversation is a poor combination.
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Popular fields of study in USA
Where USA has genuine depth, and what to check before you commit to a field.
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
The strongest concentration of research and industry in the world, with the deepest assistantship funding at graduate level.
Engineering
ABET-accredited programmes carry international recognition. Assistantships are widely available in engineering doctoral programmes.
Business and Management
Extensive range from large state schools to top-ranked private business schools. STEM-designated business master's programmes qualify for extended OPT — check the designation.
Data Science
Rapid growth in dedicated programmes, many STEM-designated, drawing on strong statistics and computing departments.
Public Health
Well-established schools of public health with strong global health research and field placement.
Nursing and Health Sciences
Note that licensure is state-regulated and requires NCLEX examination — the degree alone does not confer the right to practise.
Economics and Finance
Deep quantitative programmes with strong doctoral placement records.
Environmental Science
Major research universities with extensive field station and laboratory infrastructure.
Education
Graduate programmes in policy, curriculum and educational leadership. Teacher licensure is separate and state-specific.
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Established programmes with substantial industry placement, concentrated in a number of well-known institutions.
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Tuition and cost breakdown
Where a figure is published by an official body we show it with its source. Where it genuinely varies, we say so rather than guessing.
| Tuition — undergraduatePublic universities charge international students an out-of-state rate. Private university list prices are higher but institutional aid can be substantially larger — compare net cost, not list price. | Varies enormously between public and private institutions |
|---|---|
| Tuition — graduateA funded assistantship can reduce this to zero plus a stipend. Always ask what proportion of the cohort is funded. | Varies by institution and programme |
| SEVIS I-901 feePaid before the visa interview, separate from the visa application fee. Keep the receipt — you must take it to the interview. | $350 U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementReviewed 26 August 2026 |
| Visa application (MRV) feeNon-refundable, and payable again if you reapply after a refusal. | $185 U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular AffairsReviewed 26 August 2026 |
| Living expensesYour I-20 sets out the institution's own estimate of tuition and living costs for the year. That figure — not a general average — is what you must show funding for. | Stated on your I-20 by the institution |
| Health insuranceNearly all institutions mandate their own plan or an approved equivalent. It is a substantial annual cost and is rarely optional. | Set by the institution, usually mandatory |
| Credential evaluationRequired by many institutions for Nepali transcripts. | Charged by the evaluation service |
| Standardised test fees | SAT, GRE or GMAT, plus score reporting |
| Application feesApplying to eight institutions multiplies this considerably. Fee waivers exist at some institutions — ask. | Charged per institution |
| Return airfare, Kathmandu to the USA | Varies by season, route and booking date |
| Initial settling-in costs | Deposit, bedding, phone, books |
Currency amounts are shown in the destination’s own currency. Exchange rates move, so convert close to the time you actually need to transfer funds.
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Scholarships and funding
We do not publish award amounts without a verified source. Values and criteria change every year — always check the awarding body's own page.
Graduate assistantships
Funded position — waiver plus stipendTeaching or research assistantships that typically waive tuition and pay a living stipend in exchange for defined work. These are the single most significant source of funding for international graduate students in the US, and they are awarded by the department, not a central scholarship office — contact the department directly.
University merit scholarships
Merit — partial to full tuitionAwarded on academic record, test scores and, at undergraduate level, essays and activities. Some private institutions offer substantially larger awards than public ones despite a higher list price.
Need-aware institutional aid
Need-basedA limited number of US institutions consider financial need for international undergraduate applicants and meet a proportion of it. The list is short and the competition intense, but the awards can be large.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Government — fullAdministered for Nepal through the US Educational Foundation in Nepal, covering graduate study. Highly competitive with a fixed annual cycle. Applications are made directly, not through an agent.
Departmental fellowships
Merit — stipendHeld within academic departments, frequently for doctoral applicants, and often awarded alongside admission without a separate application.
Athletic and talent scholarships
Merit — partial to fullAvailable at some institutions for demonstrated sporting or artistic ability, with their own recruitment process and eligibility rules.
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Work rights while studying
Work rules change often. The conditions on your own visa grant are what actually apply to you.
While studying
During scheduled breaks
Conditions and restrictions
- Off-campus employment without authorisation is a serious violation of F-1 status and can end your ability to remain in the US.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) requires the work to be an integral part of your curriculum and must be authorised by your Designated School Official before you start.
- Your Designated School Official is the person who authorises work — check with them before accepting any position, including unpaid internships.
- Maintaining a full course load is a condition of F-1 status. Dropping below it without authorisation ends your status.
Dependants: Spouses and children may accompany you in F-2 status. F-2 spouses are not permitted to work. F-2 children may attend school. This is a significant planning consideration — a spouse who intends to work should not plan on F-2 status.
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After you graduate
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Temporary employment authorisation allowing F-1 students to work in a role directly related to their major field of study, usually taken after completing the degree.
Duration
Conditions
- Employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
- You must apply through USCIS and receive an Employment Authorization Document before starting work.
- The STEM extension requires the degree to be on the official STEM Designated Degree Program List and the employer to be enrolled in E-Verify.
- There are strict limits on how many days you may be unemployed while on OPT.
This is not a residency pathway
- OPT is temporary work authorisation attached to your student status, not an immigration pathway.
- It does not lead to permanent residency. Remaining longer requires an employer to sponsor a different visa category, most commonly H-1B, which is subject to an annual cap and a lottery.
- The H-1B lottery means that even a well-qualified graduate with a willing employer may not obtain a visa.
- Do not choose a course primarily as a route to remaining in the US. Choose one you want to work in, and treat OPT as valuable experience regardless of what follows.
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Applying to USA from Nepal
Twenty steps from first conversation to arrival. Steps marked "Specific to USA" do not appear in the same form for other destinations.
Initial counselling
The US is the most variable destination on cost. We establish early whether your realistic budget points to a public university, a private institution with strong aid, or a community college transfer route.
Typically: 1 session
Academic and financial profile assessment
Specific to USAAssessing your transcript against US GPA equivalents and, critically, establishing whether your three-year bachelor's (if applicable) will be accepted for graduate admission.
Typically: 1–2 weeks
Standardised tests
SAT for undergraduate or GRE/GMAT for graduate, where required. Many programmes are now test-optional — confirm before spending on a test you may not need.
Typically: 6–12 weeks
English test
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo, to the institution's own standard. There is no separate visa English requirement.
Typically: 4–8 weeks
Shortlist SEVP-certified institutions
Specific to USAOnly institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program can issue an I-20. Verify certification and regional accreditation independently before applying.
Typically: 2–3 weeks
Credential evaluation
Specific to USAMany institutions require Nepali transcripts to be evaluated by an approved service. Start early — this can take several weeks.
Typically: 3–6 weeks
Prepare essays and statement of purpose
Weighted far more heavily in US admissions than elsewhere, particularly at undergraduate level and for doctoral applications. This deserves real time.
Submit applications
Undergraduate applications often through the Common Application; graduate applications directly to each department.
Typically: Decisions from 4 weeks to 4 months
Pursue assistantships and funding
Specific to USAFor graduate applicants this means contacting departments directly. Funding decisions are usually made by academic departments, not admissions offices, and often on a separate timeline.
Typically: Parallel to application
Compare admission offers on net cost
Compare what you will actually pay after aid, not list price. A private university with a large scholarship can cost less than a public one at the out-of-state rate.
Typically: 1–2 weeks
Accept and submit financial documents to the institution
Specific to USAThe institution requires evidence of funding covering the first year before it will issue the I-20.
Typically: 1–3 weeks
Receive the Form I-20
Specific to USAThe I-20 is issued by the institution and confirms your admission, your programme and the cost of attendance. Check every detail — name spelling, date of birth, programme and funding figures must all be correct.
Typically: 1–3 weeks
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
Specific to USAPaid online before the interview. Print and keep the receipt — you must present it.
Typically: 1 day
Complete the DS-160
Specific to USAThe online non-immigrant visa application. Answer every question accurately and keep the confirmation page with its barcode.
Typically: 1–2 days
Pay the MRV fee and book the interview
Specific to USAAppointment availability at the Embassy in Kathmandu fluctuates and cannot be predicted. Book as soon as you have the I-20 and DS-160.
Typically: Depends entirely on availability
Prepare for the F-1 interview
Specific to USAThe decisive step. Be ready to explain, in your own words: why this course, why this university, how it is funded, and what you intend to do afterwards in Nepal. Officers interview many applicants a day and recognise coached answers immediately.
Typically: 1–2 weeks of preparation
Attend the interview at the US Embassy, Kathmandu
Specific to USABring your I-20, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS receipt, passport, financial documents and academic records. The interview itself is usually brief.
Typically: 1 day
Visa decision or administrative processing
Specific to USAA decision may be given at interview. Some applications go into administrative processing, which adds unpredictable time and cannot be expedited. It is not a refusal.
Typically: Same day to several weeks
Travel planning
Specific to USAYou may enter the US no earlier than the window stated for your programme start. Book flights only after the visa is in hand.
Typically: 2–4 weeks
Pre-departure orientation and arrival
Covering arrival, reporting to your Designated School Official, registration, banking, health insurance activation and maintaining F-1 status.
Typically: Before departure and first 2 weeks
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Document checklist
Each document is marked as needed for admission, for the visa, or only in certain circumstances.
Valid passport
With validity extending well beyond your intended period of stay.
Academic transcripts and certificates
Complete records; many institutions require these sent directly by the issuing institution.
Credential evaluation report
Where the institution requires an external evaluation of Nepali qualifications.
Standardised test scores
SAT, GRE or GMAT where required, reported officially by the test provider.
English test result
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo to the institution's standard.
Statement of purpose and essays
Weighted heavily in US admissions.
Letters of recommendation
Usually two or three, frequently submitted directly by the referee through a portal.
Form I-20
Issued by the SEVP-certified institution after admission and financial documentation. The visa application depends on it.
SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
Must be paid before the interview and presented at it.
DS-160 confirmation page
With the barcode. Required to enter the interview.
MRV fee receipt
Proof of visa application fee payment.
Financial evidence
Bank statements, income evidence, loan sanction or sponsor affidavit covering at least the first year as stated on the I-20.
Interview appointment confirmation
Printed confirmation of your Embassy appointment.
Assistantship or scholarship letter
Where funding comes from the institution, this substantially strengthens the financial picture.
Sponsor relationship documents
Where a relative sponsors you, evidence of the relationship and of their income.
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Student visa process from Nepal
F-1 student visa
Admission document required
Form I-20, issued by an SEVP-certified institution
Applied through
DS-160 online, followed by an in-person interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu
Visa application fee
U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular AffairsReviewed 26 August 2026
Funds you must show
U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementReviewed 26 August 2026
How the funds requirement actually works
There is no single published funds threshold for the F-1 visa. Instead, your I-20 states the institution's own estimate of tuition and living costs for one academic year, and you must demonstrate you can meet that figure. The SEVIS I-901 fee of USD 350 and the MRV visa application fee of USD 185 are separate and additional. What matters at interview is not only the amount but whether the funding story is credible: who is paying, where the money comes from, and whether that is documented and consistent with the rest of your application.
Health requirements
- There is no US government medical examination requirement for the F-1 visa.
- Institutions almost always mandate their own health insurance plan or an approved equivalent, and this is a substantial cost.
- Institutions commonly require proof of specific immunisations before enrolment — check your offer letter for the list and start early, as some require multiple doses over months.
Biometrics and interview
Fingerprints are taken at the visa application centre or at the Embassy as part of the interview process.
The F-1 interview is the decisive step and the way the US differs most from every other destination. It is typically short — often only a few minutes. The officer is assessing three things: that you are a genuine student, that your study is credibly funded, and that you intend to return to Nepal after your programme. Answer in your own words, briefly and directly. Do not memorise scripted responses; officers conduct many of these interviews daily and recognise rehearsed answers immediately, which undermines rather than helps you.
Processing time
Dependants
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany you in F-2 status. F-2 spouses are not permitted to work under any circumstances, and this is strictly enforced. F-2 children may attend school. If your spouse intends to work, F-2 status is not a viable plan and you should consider this before applying.
Common causes of delay
- Interview appointment availability at the Embassy in Kathmandu, which fluctuates unpredictably.
- Administrative processing following the interview, which cannot be expedited or scheduled around.
- Credential evaluation turnaround delaying the admission decision and therefore the I-20.
- Errors on the I-20 requiring reissue by the institution.
- Incomplete or inconsistent financial documentation prompting further questions.
Mistakes that cost people their application
- Memorising scripted interview answers. This is the single most counterproductive thing an applicant can do.
- Being unable to explain why you chose that specific university, beyond its ranking.
- Giving answers that suggest an intention to remain in the US permanently — non-immigrant intent is a legal requirement of the category.
- Funding documents that do not match the figures on the I-20.
- Sponsor funds with no documented relationship or income source.
- Applying to a course unrelated to your academic background without a clear, honest explanation.
- Booking flights before the visa is granted.
After you submit
After the interview, the officer either approves the application, refuses it, or places it in administrative processing. Passport return arrangements are confirmed at the Embassy.
If your visa is granted
- 1.Check the visa for correct spelling, category and validity dates.
- 2.Note the earliest date you may enter the US relative to your programme start date — arriving before it is not permitted.
- 3.Carry your I-20, passport and financial documents in hand luggage, never in checked baggage.
- 4.Report to your Designated School Official on arrival, as required to activate your SEVIS record.
- 5.Complete enrolment and maintain a full course load — this is the core condition of F-1 status.
- 6.Activate health insurance before you need it.
If your visa is refused
- 1.Most F-1 refusals are issued under section 214(b) — the officer was not satisfied you overcame the presumption of immigrant intent, or that the study plan or funding was credible.
- 2.A 214(b) refusal is not a permanent bar. You may reapply, but only with materially changed circumstances or a genuinely better-prepared case.
- 3.Reapplying immediately with an identical application and the same documents almost always produces the same result.
- 4.The MRV fee is not refundable and must be paid again for each application.
- 5.Understand precisely which element was not credible before reapplying, and address that.
Questions
Studying in USA — common questions
What actually happens in the F-1 visa interview?
It is short — often just a few minutes — and conducted through a window at the Embassy. The officer is assessing whether you are a genuine student, whether your studies are credibly funded, and whether you intend to return to Nepal afterwards. Expect direct questions: why this course, why this university, who is funding you, what will you do after. Answer briefly and honestly in your own words.
How much money do I need to show for an F-1 visa?
There is no fixed published threshold. Your I-20 states your institution's own estimate of tuition and living costs for one academic year, and you need to show you can meet that. The SEVIS fee of USD 350 and the MRV fee of USD 185 are separate. Credibility matters as much as the amount — the officer assesses whether the funding story holds together.
Should I memorise answers for the interview?
No. This is the most common mistake and it actively harms applications. Consular officers conduct many interviews every day and recognise rehearsed answers immediately, which raises rather than settles doubts. Understand your own plans well enough to explain them naturally, then answer the question you are actually asked.
Will my three-year Nepali bachelor's degree be accepted for a US master's?
It depends entirely on the institution. Some accept a three-year degree, some require a credential evaluation showing equivalence, and some require an additional year of study. Establish this before you apply — it can rule out programmes and it is far better to know early.
What is administrative processing?
Additional review after an otherwise positive interview. It is not a refusal. It adds an unpredictable amount of time, cannot be expedited, and there is no reliable way to estimate its length. This is the main reason you should never book non-refundable travel before your passport is returned with the visa.
Can my spouse work if they come with me?
No. F-2 spouses are not permitted to work under any circumstances, and this is strictly enforced. F-2 children may attend school. If your spouse intends to work, F-2 status is not a workable arrangement and you should factor that into your decision before applying.
Does OPT lead to a green card?
No. OPT is temporary work authorisation tied to your student status. Staying longer requires an employer to sponsor a different visa, most commonly the H-1B, which is subject to an annual cap and allocated by lottery — meaning even a strong candidate with a willing employer may not obtain one. Treat OPT as valuable experience in its own right, not as a step in a guaranteed sequence.
Immigration and cost information on this page last reviewed . Rules, fees and thresholds change — always confirm against the official source before you apply.
Talk it through with someone who has done it before
Counselling is free and there is no obligation. Bring your transcripts and an idea of your budget, and we will tell you honestly whether USA is a realistic fit.