Do You Need a Blocked Account for United States Study Visa?

In short: whether a Nepali passport holder needs a student visa for United States — and exactly which documents — depends on your travel purpose and the latest United States rules. The relevant class is F-1 Academic Student Visa (stay Duration of Status (D/S) — admitted for the entire programme length + 60-day grace period post-completion). This guide covers the requirement, the document checklist, costs, and the step-by-step process, with the official portal linked below.

United States Student visa: key facts for Nepali applicants

Visa class	F-1 Academic Student Visa
Stay	Duration of Status (D/S) — admitted for the entire programme length + 60-day grace period post-completion.
Validity	Visa stamp typically 5 years multi-entry for Nepali F-1 (matches M-1; J-1 varies by category).
Entries	Multiple.
Processing time	Interview 4–12 weeks out; post-interview visa stamping 5–10 working days. Apply at least 4–5 months before semester start.
Visa fee	USD 185 MRV + USD 350 SEVIS I-901 fee (paid at fmjfee.com).
Funds required	Total cost of one academic year (tuition + room & board + insurance + personal expenses) as shown on Form I-20, item 7 (typically USD 30,000–80,000/year for undergrad; USD 40,000–100,000+ for grad school). Funds must be liquid, sponsored by an identifiable, genuine source — bank statements, sponsor affidavit (I-134 / I-864 if available), education loan sanction letter, fixed deposits, employer scholarship.
Official portal	https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-np/niv (US Visa Information & Appointment Services — Nepal) · https://ceac.state.gov/genniv (DS-160 nonimmigrant application form) · https://ceac.state.gov/iv (DS-260 immigrant visa application) · https://travel.state.gov — State Department canonical visa portal
Where to apply	Visa Application Center (VAC) — Kathmandu (operated by VFS Global / GDIT for biometric collection on nonimmigrant visas) — Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal (across from Hotel Yak & Yeti area). Consular entrance on Pani Pokhari side.

Facts verified against the official source; confirm before you apply — visa rules change. Last checked 2026-07-12.

Documents you will usually need

• Passport, DS-160, photo, MRV receipt, SEVIS I-901 receipt, interview confirmation
• Form I-20 — Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status — Issued by the SEVP-certified school after admission. Signed by school designated school official (DSO). Bring the ORIGINAL to interview.
• School admission / acceptance letter (separate from I-20)
• Financial proof: bank statements (last 6 months) of self + sponsor — Combined liquid funds should equal or exceed I-20 estimated cost of attendance for at least Year 1 with credible evidence of Years 2–4 source.
• Sponsor affidavit (notarised) + sponsor income proof (W-2 / 1040 / payslips / business docs) — If parents / guardians / relatives funding the education. Sponsor commits to financial support throughout study.
• Sponsor relationship proof: birth certificate / family registration — Notarised English translation.
• Academic transcripts — SLC / SEE, +2, Bachelor's (every level completed) — Original + notarised English translation; attested by Tribhuvan University or Kathmandu University as relevant + Ministry of Education + MoFA.
• Diplomas / degree certificates (originals + notarised English translation)
• Proof of onward/return travel (a flight reservation) and accommodation (a hotel booking) where required.

Step-by-step: how to apply from Nepal

1. Confirm the visa type and current requirements on the official portal (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-np/niv (US Visa Information & Appointment Services — Nepal) · https://ceac.state.gov/genniv (DS-160 nonimmigrant application form) · https://ceac.state.gov/iv (DS-260 immigrant visa application) · https://travel.state.gov — State Department canonical visa portal).
2. Gather and scan your documents; book your appointment at Visa Application Center (VAC) — Kathmandu (operated by VFS Global / GDIT for biometric collection on nonimmigrant visas) or start the online form.
3. Prepare proof of onward travel and accommodation — many applicants use Yatra's verifiable reservations rather than buying non-refundable bookings before approval.
4. Pay the visa fee, submit (and give biometrics if required), then track your application.

Typical costs & processing time

Processing for a United States student visa typically takes Interview 4–12 weeks out; post-interview visa stamping 5–10 working days. Apply at least 4–5 months before semester start. The visa fee is USD 185 MRV + USD 350 SEVIS I-901 fee (paid at fmjfee.com).. Budget separately for supporting documents: a Yatra dummy flight ticket is NPR 999, a hotel reservation NPR 499, or the full bundle from NPR 1499.

Common reasons applications get delayed

• Weak or inconsistent proof of funds.
• No credible proof of onward travel or accommodation.
• Photos or forms that don't meet the embassy spec.
• An itinerary that doesn't match the stated purpose or dates.

Frequently asked questions

Do You Need a Blocked Account for United States Study Visa?

The relevant class is F-1 Academic Student Visa allowing a stay of Duration of Status (D/S) — admitted for the entire programme length + 60-day grace period post-completion. Nepali applicants should confirm the current United States rule on the official portal, then prepare passport, application, funds, and proof of onward travel and accommodation.

How long does a United States student visa take to process?

Processing typically takes Interview 4–12 weeks out; post-interview visa stamping 5–10 working days. Apply at least 4–5 months before semester start. Apply with at least a 1–2 week buffer beyond this.

How much money should I show for a United States visa?

For a United States student visa, total cost of one academic year (tuition + room & board + insurance + personal expenses) as shown on Form I-20, item 7 (typically USD 30,000–80,000/year for undergrad; USD 40,000–100,000+ for grad school). Funds must be liquid, sponsored by an identifiable, genuine source — bank statements, sponsor affidavit (I-134 / I-864 if available), education loan sanction letter, fixed deposits, employer scholarship.

Can Yatra For Fun help with my United States documents?

Yes — Yatra issues verifiable flight, hotel and itinerary reservations for your visa file, delivered as PDFs in about 30 minutes.

Preparing your United States application? Yatra For Fun issues visa-ready flight reservations, hotel bookings and itineraries, and our United States visa guide has the current checklist. Ask us on WhatsApp.