The US F-1 student visa is unique among all student visas in one critical way: it requires an in-person interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu. There is no skipping it, no submitting documents and waiting. You sit across from a visa officer and you make your case in person, in approximately two to five minutes.
Most Nepali students are underprepared for this interview. This guide makes sure you are not one of them.
What Has Changed in 2026
US student visa processing has become more consistent. However, scrutiny on ties to home country remains significant for Nepali applicants. Interview preparation is not optional — it is the most important part of the entire F-1 application process.
Step 1: Receive Your I-20 Form
After you are accepted by a US university and your institution registers you in the SEVIS system (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), they will issue an I-20 form. This is your official authorization to apply for an F-1 visa. You cannot proceed without it.
Step 2: Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
Before your interview, pay USD 350 to SEVIS. Keep the confirmation receipt — you will bring the physical copy to your embassy interview. Do not lose it.
Step 3: Complete the DS-160 Form
The DS-160 is the online US visa application form. Fill it out with complete accuracy. Every answer must match every other document in your application. Even unintentional inconsistencies — a different spelling of your name, a date that does not match your transcript — can cause complications during or after the interview.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)
Pay USD 185 before booking your interview appointment. Keep this receipt as well. Both receipts — SEVIS and MRV — are required at the interview.
Step 5: Book Your F-1 Interview at the US Embassy, Kathmandu
F-1 interviews are conducted at the US Embassy in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. Book your appointment as early as possible. Interview slots for Nepali applicants are competitive and can fill up weeks or months in advance. Do not wait until you have all your documents ready to start trying to book — book first and prepare in parallel.
Step 6: Prepare for Your Interview
This is where Nepali students either succeed or fail. The visa officer will spend approximately 2 to 5 minutes with you. In that time, they are assessing two things: your genuine intention to study, and your genuine intention to return to Nepal.
Be ready to answer these questions clearly and confidently:
- Why this specific university and this specific program?
- How does this program connect to your career goals in Nepal?
- Who is paying for your education and what is their source of income?
- What ties do you have to Nepal — family, property, job prospects?
Your answers must be honest and specific. Vague answers raise suspicion. Memorized answers that sound scripted raise more suspicion. Know your answers because you know your own story — not because you rehearsed lines.
Step 7: Attend Your Interview
Bring the following physical documents to the embassy:
- Valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- MRV fee receipt
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- I-20 form
- Original offer letter / acceptance letter from the university
- All academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Financial evidence (bank statements, sponsor’s income proof, property documents)
- English test score report
- Passport-sized photographs
If your visa is approved, it is typically issued within 3 to 7 business days. If you receive a Section 221(g) notice, it means administrative processing is required and can take several additional weeks. This is not a refusal — respond to any requests promptly.
Your Full Timeline at a Glance
| Milestone | When to Do It |
|---|---|
| Research universities, take GRE or GMAT | 14–16 months before intake |
| Take TOEFL or IELTS | 12 months before intake |
| Submit university applications | 8–12 months before intake |
| Receive I-20 form | 4–6 months before intake |
| Pay SEVIS fee, complete DS-160 | 4–5 months before intake |
| Book visa interview appointment | 3–4 months before intake |
| Attend interview | 2–3 months before intake |
| Receive visa and book flights | 1–2 months before intake |
The Most Common Mistakes Nepali Students Make
Booking the interview appointment too late and finding no slots available. Going into the interview without practicing clear, specific answers. Bringing photocopies instead of originals. Having inconsistencies between the DS-160 and other documents. Not having a convincing answer for ties to Nepal.
The US visa is won or lost in the interview room. Every other step is preparation for that conversation. If you want help preparing your interview answers and reviewing your financial documents, book a free session with us.