Study in
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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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.
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.
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
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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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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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Requirements are set by each institution and each course. Treat the guidance below as a starting point, not a rule.
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| 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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Where USA has genuine depth, and what to check before you commit to a field.
The strongest concentration of research and industry in the world, with the deepest assistantship funding at graduate level.
ABET-accredited programmes carry international recognition. Assistantships are widely available in engineering doctoral programmes.
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.
Rapid growth in dedicated programmes, many STEM-designated, drawing on strong statistics and computing departments.
Well-established schools of public health with strong global health research and field placement.
Note that licensure is state-regulated and requires NCLEX examination — the degree alone does not confer the right to practise.
Deep quantitative programmes with strong doctoral placement records.
Major research universities with extensive field station and laboratory infrastructure.
Graduate programmes in policy, curriculum and educational leadership. Teacher licensure is separate and state-specific.
Established programmes with substantial industry placement, concentrated in a number of well-known institutions.
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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.
H
We do not publish award amounts without a verified source. Values and criteria change every year — always check the awarding body's own page.
Teaching 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.
Awarded 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.
A 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.
Administered 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.
Held within academic departments, frequently for doctoral applicants, and often awarded alongside admission without a separate application.
Available at some institutions for demonstrated sporting or artistic ability, with their own recruitment process and eligibility rules.
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Work rules change often. The conditions on your own visa grant are what actually apply to you.
While studying
During scheduled breaks
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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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
This is not a residency pathway
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Twenty steps from first conversation to arrival. Steps marked "Specific to USA" do not appear in the same form for other destinations.
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
Assessing 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
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
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo, to the institution's own standard. There is no separate visa English requirement.
Typically: 4–8 weeks
Only 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
Many institutions require Nepali transcripts to be evaluated by an approved service. Start early — this can take several weeks.
Typically: 3–6 weeks
Weighted far more heavily in US admissions than elsewhere, particularly at undergraduate level and for doctoral applications. This deserves real time.
Undergraduate applications often through the Common Application; graduate applications directly to each department.
Typically: Decisions from 4 weeks to 4 months
For 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 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
The institution requires evidence of funding covering the first year before it will issue the I-20.
Typically: 1–3 weeks
The 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
Paid online before the interview. Print and keep the receipt — you must present it.
Typically: 1 day
The online non-immigrant visa application. Answer every question accurately and keep the confirmation page with its barcode.
Typically: 1–2 days
Appointment 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
The 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
Bring your I-20, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS receipt, passport, financial documents and academic records. The interview itself is usually brief.
Typically: 1 day
A 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
You 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
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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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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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.
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
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.
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.
Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Latest updates
Recent verified changes that may affect your plans to study in United States.
A Department of Homeland Security final rule, effective 15 September 2026, admits F and J students for the length of their programme — up to four years — instead of 'duration of status'. Students who need more time must apply to USCIS for an extension, and the F-1 post-study grace period falls from 60 to 30 days.
A Department of Homeland Security final rule, effective 27 February 2026, replaced purely random H-1B cap selection with a weighted process that generally favours higher-skilled and higher-paid positions, while keeping a chance of selection at all wage levels. It applied from the FY 2027 registration season.
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