# Complete Guide to U.S. Visa Interviews at the U.S. Embassy Kathmandu (Nepal) Author: Rahul Dhumale Author URL: https://blog.interviewivy.com/author/rahul-dhumale Published: 2026-07-17 Category: Embassy & Consulate Guides Category URL: https://blog.interviewivy.com/category/embassy-and-consulate-guides Tags: F1 Visa, B1/B2 Visa, US Embassy Kathmandu, Nepal, Visa Bond Tag URLs: F1 Visa (https://blog.interviewivy.com/tag/f1-visa), B1/B2 Visa (https://blog.interviewivy.com/tag/b1b2-visa), US Embassy Kathmandu (https://blog.interviewivy.com/tag/us-embassy-kathmandu), Nepal (https://blog.interviewivy.com/tag/nepal), Visa Bond (https://blog.interviewivy.com/tag/visa-bond) URL: https://blog.interviewivy.com/complete-guide-to-visa-interviews-at-us-embassy-kathmandu ![US Embassy Kathmandu Visa Interview guide](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cmrg0a0y2000n01xa4xzk6gfy/images/untitled-july-14-2026-at-12-1786087845519-compressed.png) If you're applying for a U.S. visa as a Nepali national, two things have changed recently that make this a genuinely different environment than it was even twelve months ago: refusal rates have risen sharply across nearly every visa category, and as of January 2026, eligible B1/B2 applicants may now be required to post a bond of up to $15,000. This guide covers everything Nepali applicants need — where to apply, how to book, what to bring, and exactly what the new rules mean for your specific visa category. > 🎯 **Before you read on — see where you actually stand.** Nepal's refusal rates have moved sharply in the last year, which means the interview itself matters more than ever. [Run a free AI mock interview with Interview Ivy](https://www.interviewivy.com/visa-interviews/auth?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=internal_link&utm_campaign=nepal_visa_interview_guide&utm_content=intro_link) and get honest feedback before your real appointment at Kathmandu. ## Where to Apply: U.S. Embassy Kathmandu Nepal has only one U.S. diplomatic post that conducts visa interviews, so there's no city-by-city decision to make. Detail Information Location U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal (consular entrance on the Pani Pokhari side) Phone +977-1-423-4000 Handles interviews for All non-immigrant visa categories (F1, B1/B2, H1B, J1, etc.) and immigrant visas for Nepali applicants Appointment booking portal [ais.usvisa-info.com/en-np/niv](https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-np/niv) — the official Department of State appointment service for Nepal Biometrics / Visa Application Center (VAC) Located on Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu, operated by the Department of State's appointment services contractor Standard MRV application fee $185 (covers B1/B2, F, J, and most other standard nonimmigrant categories; H, L, and certain other petition-based categories may carry additional fees) Fee payment options Online via the appointment portal, or in person at designated bank counters (Standard Chartered, Himalayan Bank) in Kathmandu Document return Passports and documents are typically returned via courier a few business days after interview, to the address registered during booking > Note: Nepal is not part of the August 2026 African regional-hub restructuring (that applies to a different region), so Embassy Kathmandu's role and capacity haven't shifted the way some African posts have. What _has_ changed for Nepal is entirely policy-driven — covered in the sections below. ## Which Visa Do You Actually Need? If you're going to... You likely need Key thing officers evaluate Study at a U.S. college or university F1 Academic fit, funding, ties to Nepal, plan to return Visit for tourism, family, or short business trips B1/B2 Ties to Nepal, purpose and length of trip, funding — and now, bond eligibility (see below) Work in a specialty occupation for a U.S. employer H1B Employer petition approval (Form I-129/I-797), job-role match to your qualifications ### The New $15,000 B1/B2 Bond Requirement — What You Need to Know This is the single most important recent change for Nepali B1/B2 applicants, and it works differently from a normal refusal: - The bond only applies if you're **otherwise found eligible** for the visa — it's not a replacement for meeting the standard 214(b) requirements, it's an additional step added after you clear them. - The consular officer informs you **at the time of your interview** whether the bond applies to your case, and provides instructions on how to pay it. - The bond amount can be **up to $15,000** — the exact figure is determined case by case, not a flat fee for every applicant. - This is separate from, and in addition to, the standard $185 MRV application fee. > **Warning:** Details on how the bond is administered (payment method, refund conditions, and timing) are still relatively new and can change. Confirm the current process directly through the [U.S. Embassy Nepal visas page](https://np.usembassy.gov/visas/) before your interview rather than relying on secondhand accounts **Why this matters even if you're confident in your case:** the bond isn't a sign you did something wrong — it's a new category-wide policy tool. Budgeting and planning for the possibility, even as a contingency, is more realistic than assuming it won't apply to you. ## How to Book Your Appointment 1. **Complete the DS-160** online through the official Department of State portal. 2. **Pay the MRV application fee** ($185 standard) through the appointment portal or a designated bank counter in Kathmandu. 3. **Schedule your interview** through [ais.usvisa-info.com/en-np/niv](https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-np/niv). Appointment wait times have historically run anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on visa category and season — check the [Department of State's live global visa wait-time tool](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html) close to when you plan to apply rather than relying on a fixed estimate. 4. **Complete biometrics** at the Visa Application Center on Tridevi Marg. 5. **Attend your interview** at the Embassy in Maharajgunj. Paperwork gets you to the window — your answers decide what happens there. With refusal rates where they are right now, the interview itself carries more weight than ever. [Practice your Kathmandu interview Now](https://www.interviewivy.com/visa-interviews/auth) ## Documents to Bring ### Everyone needs: - Valid passport - DS-160 confirmation page - Appointment confirmation letter - Passport-style photo (if not already uploaded digitally) - MRV fee payment receipt ### F1 applicants additionally need: - Form I-20, signed - SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt - Proof of financial support (bank statements, sponsor letters, scholarship documentation) - Academic transcripts and standardized test scores, if requested ### B1/B2 applicants additionally need: - Evidence of ties to Nepal (employment letter, property documents, family ties) - Trip itinerary or invitation letter, if applicable - Evidence of funds for the trip — and be prepared to discuss your financial situation in more depth given the new bond policy ### H1B applicants additionally need: - Form I-797 (Notice of Action / approval notice) - Form I-129 petition copy - Employment offer letter and role description - Educational credentials relevant to the specialty occupation ## What to Expect on Interview Day at Embassy Kathmandu Arrive at your scheduled time — early or late arrivals can both cause complications. - Standard security screening applies; electronics beyond a phone and large bags are typically not allowed inside. - Interviews are conducted through a window and are usually brief. - Same-day outcomes are typical, though some cases require administrative processing (221(g)) and take longer — and B1/B2 approvals may now include the bond notification described above. ## Refusal Rates: What the Data Shows for Nepal The numbers here have moved more sharply for Nepal than for most other countries in the past year. **Visa Category** **Prior Year** **Most Recent Year** **Change** B1/B2 (officially published, adjusted refusal rate) 49.47% (FY2024) 69.47% (FY2025) +20 points F1 student visa 59% (2024) 81% (2025) +22 points The B1/B2 figures come directly from the [U.S. Department of State's FY2025 adjusted B-visa refusal rates by nationality](https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY25.pdf), compared against the equivalent [FY2024 report](https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY24.pdf). The F1 figures come from a 2026 analysis of State Department data reported by ICEF Monitor, which also noted Nepal as one of the fastest-growing F1 source markets globally — a roughly 48% year-over-year increase in enrolled students, making it one of the largest sending countries in Asia even as its refusal rate climbed. Every refusal, regardless of category, is processed under **INA 214(b)** — detailed in [9 FAM 302.1, covering ineligibility based on failure to overcome INA 214(b)](https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM030201.html) — which presumes every applicant intends to immigrate permanently unless they demonstrate otherwise. This is the same standard covered in more depth in our guide to [F1 Visa Rejection Under 214(b)](https://blog.interviewivy.com/f1-visa-rejection-under-214b-common-reasons-what-to-do-next?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=internal_link&utm_campaign=nepal_visa_interview_guide&utm_content=mid_internal_link). > A 20-point jump in one year is unusually steep, even in a period of rising refusals globally. That scale of shift is a strong signal that officers are applying more scrutiny across the board — not that any individual applicant did something differently wrong. Specific, well-documented ties and a clear, honest purpose of travel remain the strongest levers you have. ## Current 2026 Context Worth Knowing - **Immigrant visa pause:** Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of a group of countries — including Nepal — identified as having high rates of reliance on U.S. public assistance. **This affects immigrant (green card) visas only** — nonimmigrant categories including F1, B1/B2, and H1B continue to be processed normally, aside from the new B1/B2 bond policy described above. - **Diversity Visa (DV) pause:** The Department of State has paused visa issuances to Diversity Visa applicants more broadly. Given Nepal's historically strong DV program participation, this is worth tracking if you or family members have pending DV cases. - **Presidential Proclamation 10998:** This January 2026 proclamation fully or partially suspends visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. **Nepal is not currently among them** — but given how frequently this list has been updated, it's worth checking current status if your situation is complex (e.g., dual nationality). ## Do's and Don'ts for Embassy Kathmandu **Do's:** - Book your appointment as early as your documents allow, given wait times - Prepare a clear, honest, and specific answer about your funding and ties to Nepal — especially for B1/B2 given the bond policy - Bring physical copies of every document even if submitted digitally - Ask directly, calmly, if a bond applies to your case rather than being caught off guard **Don'ts:** - Assume the bond only applies to "risky" applicants — it can apply to otherwise-eligible cases - Pay the MRV fee before your documents are genuinely ready - Rely on unofficial sources for bond payment logistics — confirm through the Embassy's own site - Bring prohibited items (large bags, extra electronics) that will need to be left outside **_Disclaimer_** _This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal or immigration advice. Visa decisions are made solely by U.S. consular officers based on your individual circumstances and applicable U.S. immigration laws and policies. While we strive to keep our content accurate and up to date, requirements and procedures may change. Always refer to official U.S. government resources for the latest guidance._ ## FAQs Q: Where do Nepali applicants attend their U.S. visa interview? A: All non-immigrant and immigrant visa interviews for Nepali applicants take place at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, in Maharajgunj — there is only one U.S. visa-processing post in Nepal. Q: What is the new B1/B2 bond requirement for Nepal? A: Starting January 21, 2026, Nepali nationals found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa may be required to post a bond of up to $15,000. The consular officer informs applicants of this at the time of their interview. Q: Does the bond apply to F1 or H1B applicants too? A: No — as currently structured, the bond requirement applies specifically to B1/B2 visitor visa applicants, not F1 student visas or H1B work visas. Q: What is the current F1 visa refusal rate for Nepal? A: According to 2026 analysis of Department of State data, Nepal's F1 refusal rate was 81% in 2025, up sharply from 59% in 2024. Q: What is Nepal's official B1/B2 refusal rate? A: The Department of State's officially published adjusted refusal rate for Nepal was 69.47% in FY2025, up from 49.47% in FY2024 — a 20-point increase in one year. Q: Is Nepal affected by the 2026 U.S. travel ban (Presidential Proclamation 10998)? A: No — Nepal is not among the 39 countries currently subject to full or partial visa suspension under that proclamation. Nepal is, however, subject to a separate pause on immigrant (green card) visa issuance that does not affect F1, B1/B2, or H1B processing. Q: How long is the wait for a visa appointment at Embassy Kathmandu? A: Wait times vary by visa category and season. Check the Department of State's live global visa wait-time tool close to your planned application date rather than relying on a fixed estimate. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---