Do Nepali Need Marriage Proof for United States Spouse Visa?

In short: whether a Nepali passport holder needs a spouse visa for United States — and exactly which documents — depends on your travel purpose and the latest United States rules. The relevant class is IR-1 / IR-5 / IR-2 / F1–F4 Family-Based Immigrant Visa (stay Lawful permanent residence (no expiration; green card renewable every 10 years)). This guide covers the requirement, the document checklist, costs, and the step-by-step process, with the official portal linked below.

United States Spouse visa: key facts for Nepali applicants

Visa class	IR-1 / IR-5 / IR-2 / F1–F4 Family-Based Immigrant Visa
Stay	Lawful permanent residence (no expiration; green card renewable every 10 years).
Validity	Immigrant visa stamp valid 6 months from issuance — applicant must enter the US within that window to activate the green card.
Entries	Single use for activation; thereafter permanent resident status governs travel.
Processing time	IR categories: 12–14 months total (I-130 USCIS 8–12 months + NVC + DS-260 + interview 2–4 months). F-Preference: 1–15 years depending on category + country. F4 for Nepal currently 12–15 years.
Visa fee	I-130 USD 535 (employer-side) + NVC USD 445 (DS-260 immigrant visa) + USD 120 (Affidavit of Support I-864) + medical exam USD 200–300 in Kathmandu + USCIS Immigrant Fee USD 220 after visa issuance.
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, photo, DS-260 (immigrant) confirmation
• NVC case-complete packet: I-864 Affidavit of Support, civil documents, financial evidence
• Birth certificate (notarised English translation + MoFA attestation)
• Marriage certificate (notarised English translation + MoFA attestation) — spouse cases
• Police clearance certificates from Nepal + every country lived 12+ months since age 16 — Issued by Nepal Police HQ / MoFA — valid 2 years from issuance.
• Military service records (if applicable) (if applicable)
• Court / prison records for any prior convictions (if applicable)
• Medical exam by IRCC-approved Panel Physician (CIWEC / Norvic) — Required for ALL immigrant visa applicants regardless of age. Includes chest X-ray, blood tests, vaccination review.
• 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 spouse visa typically takes IR categories: 12–14 months total (I-130 USCIS 8–12 months + NVC + DS-260 + interview 2–4 months). F-Preference: 1–15 years depending on category + country. F4 for Nepal currently 12–15 years. The visa fee is I-130 USD 535 (employer-side) + NVC USD 445 (DS-260 immigrant visa) + USD 120 (Affidavit of Support I-864) + medical exam USD 200–300 in Kathmandu + USCIS Immigrant Fee USD 220 after visa issuance.. 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 Nepali Need Marriage Proof for United States Spouse Visa?

The relevant class is IR-1 / IR-5 / IR-2 / F1–F4 Family-Based Immigrant Visa allowing a stay of Lawful permanent residence (no expiration; green card renewable every 10 years). 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 spouse visa take to process?

Processing typically takes IR categories: 12–14 months total (I-130 USCIS 8–12 months + NVC + DS-260 + interview 2–4 months). F-Preference: 1–15 years depending on category + country. F4 for Nepal currently 12–15 years. Apply with at least a 1–2 week buffer beyond this.

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

There is no single figure — it varies by visa type and length of stay. Show consistent bank statements covering your trip and any sponsor evidence the embassy asks for.

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.