Study in the United States from Nepal and India
F-1 student visa
Admission to a SEVP-certified school issues the I-20; then pay SEVIS and the visa fee and attend an interview. On-campus work only at first; OPT and STEM OPT after graduation — but a large OPT fee has been proposed.
United States student visa at a glance
- Money to show a year
- No fixed amount
- Work in term
- 20 hrs/wk
- Work during study
- Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Stay after study
- 1 yr
- OPT / STEM OPT
- Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
Short answer: To study in the United States you apply for the F-1 student visa. The main visa fee is USD 185 (about NPR 28,016). No fixed funds amount is published; you show enough to cover your study and living costs. You can work up to 20 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 12 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).
Check before you start
- This guide is for Nepali and Indian citizens applying from Nepal or India.
- You need an offer from a recognised institution. Check it on the official register in the sources below.
- Rules change often. Use the official links on this page to confirm before you pay or apply.
How much does it cost to study in the United States?
Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.
You pay
Fees. Not refunded.
- Visa application (MRV) feeUSD 185 one-off≈ NPR 28,016 · ₹17,494
- SEVIS I-901 fee (F-1)USD 350 one-off≈ NPR 53,004 · ₹33,096
You show
Evidence. It stays yours.
No fixed amount is published. The institution or embassy assesses your funds.
This money proves you can support yourself. It is not paid to anyone.
NPR and INR are estimates at Nepal Rastra Bank selling rates of 22 Oct 2026. Pay official fees only through the official channel.
What do I need for a United States student visa?
- Who can apply
- Admitted to a SEVP-certified school and holding its Form I-20. Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Funds
- No fixed federal amount: you must show enough for tuition and living costs for your study, and the school checks this before issuing the I-20. Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Timing
- The visa can be issued up to 365 days before your program starts; you can enter up to 30 days before. Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Interview
- Plan for an in-person interview — the embassy in India grants waivers only in extreme situations. Source: US Embassy (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Social media
- F, M and J applicants must set all social media accounts to public. Source: US Embassy (opens the official website in a new tab)
Can I work while studying in the United States?
- Work during study
- On campus up to 20 hours a week in session. Off campus only after one academic year in limited cases. Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
Can I stay and work after graduating?
- OPT / STEM OPT
- Optional Practical Training: 12 months per degree level; STEM degrees can add 24 months with an E-Verify employer. Source: US Homeland Security (opens the official website in a new tab)
What is different for Nepali and Indian students?
From Nepal
- NepalNepal
- The USD 20,000 visa bond applies to B1/B2 visitor visas only, not to F-1 students. Source: US Embassy (opens the official website in a new tab)
From India
- IndiaIndia
- Student visas are processed at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Source: US Embassy (opens the official website in a new tab)
What are the top universities in the United States?
The 10 highest-placed universities in the United States in THE World University Rankings 2027, in that order. Rankings measure research and reputation, not whether a course suits you. Check entry rules, fees and the course on each official site. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, MA · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Engineering · Computing · Science · Management (Sloan) · Architecture & Planning
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP BOS214F00219000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
2THE WUR 2027
2. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Engineering · Computer Science · Economics · Public & International Affairs · Architecture
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP NEW214F10083000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
=3THE WUR 2027
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Engineering · Business · Medicine · Law · Humanities & Sciences · Sustainability
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP SFR214F00617000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
=3THE WUR 2027
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Business · Law · Medicine · Public Health · Public Policy (Kennedy) · Engineering
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP BOS214F00162000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
6THE WUR 2027
5. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Pasadena, CA · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Engineering & Applied Science · Physics & Astronomy · Mathematics · Chemistry & Chemical Engineering · Biology & Bioengineering · Planetary Sciences
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP LOS214F00091000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
7THE WUR 2027
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Engineering · Computing & Data Science · Business · Chemistry · Law · Public Health
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP SFR214F00615000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
=9THE WUR 2027
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Law · Medicine · Management · Global Affairs (Jackson) · Public Health · Environment
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP BOS214F10162000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
=9THE WUR 2027
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Business (Wharton) · Medicine (Perelman) · Nursing · Engineering · Law (Carey)
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP PHI214F00151000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
14THE WUR 2027
9. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Business (Booth) · Economics · Law · Public Policy (Harris) · Physical Sciences · Molecular Engineering
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP CHI214F01068000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
16THE WUR 2027
10. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Medicine · Public Health (Bloomberg) · Engineering (Whiting) · Nursing · International Studies (SAIS)
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP BAL214F00051000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
=17THE WUR 2027
Public colleges
Colleges offer diplomas and applied degrees, usually at lower cost. Listed alphabetically, not ranked.
Dallas College
Dallas, TX · Public college · Full degrees in English
Known for: Business & Hospitality · Health Sciences · Engineering & Technology · Creative Arts & Design · Law & Public Service · Manufacturing & Industrial Technology
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP DAL214F00678000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA · Public college · Full degrees in English
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP SFR214F01758000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
Houston City College (formerly Houston Community College)
Houston, TX · Public college · Full degrees in English
Known for: Health Sciences · STEM · Business · Construction & Manufacturing · University Transfer
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP HOU214F00354000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
Lone Star College
The Woodlands, TX (Greater Houston) · Public college · Full degrees in English
Known for: Health Sciences · IT & Computer Science · Engineering, Mathematics & Sciences · Business & Professional Services · Energy, Manufacturing & Construction
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP HOU214F00280000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA · Public college · Full degrees in English
Known for: University Transfer · STEM · Business · Art, Media & Entertainment · Health & Wellness
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: SEVP LOS214F00343000 (opens the official website in a new tab)
What do Nepali and Indian students study in the United States?
The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics.
Nepali students
Math & Computer Science
30.3% of Nepali students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 24,890 Nepali students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Physical & Life Sciences
16.4% of Nepali students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 24,890 Nepali students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Engineering
16.0% of Nepali students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 24,890 Nepali students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Business & Management
11.9% of Nepali students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 24,890 Nepali students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Health Professions
9.8% of Nepali students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 24,890 Nepali students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)
Indian students
Math & Computer Science
43.4% of Indian students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 363,019 Indian students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Engineering
22.8% of Indian students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 363,019 Indian students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Business & Management
11.3% of Indian students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 363,019 Indian students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)Physical & Life Sciences
5.5% of Indian students in the US, 2024/25 (Open Doors 2025; 363,019 Indian students total)
Source: opendoorsdata.org (opens the official website in a new tab)
Are there scholarships to study in the United States?
Yes: 5 we have checked on official pages. Eligibility can differ for Nepal and India. See all countries
5 of 5 scholarships
- University· Bachelor's
International Outreach Award
University of Cincinnati
USD 5,000–15,000 a year off the non-resident surcharge only. Minimum GPA 3.0.
Applied automatically on admission — effectively a tuition discount, not a competitive award.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
First-year applicants.
Deadline
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - University· Bachelor's
Green & Gold Presidential Award
University of South Florida
Up to about USD 44,000 over four years (up to 11,000 a year) as a partial out-of-state tuition waiver.
Applied automatically on admission — effectively a tuition discount, not a competitive award.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
Deadline is for Fall 2027 entry.
Deadline
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - University· Bachelor's
New American University International Scholarship
Arizona State University
USD 10,000–17,500 a year depending on GPA, for F-1 students.
Applied automatically on admission — effectively a tuition discount, not a competitive award.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
Rolling — considered at admission.
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - Government· PhD
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
USIEF (Fulbright Commission in India)
6–9 month research stay in the US for PhD students registered in India: J-1 visa support, monthly stipend, insurance, airfare and allowances.
- Nepal:
- Not eligible
- India:
- Eligible
The 2027-28 round was limited to six US-priority STEM areas.
This round closed — check the official page for the next round
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - Government· Short course
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
US Department of State (Fulbright) via USIEF
Non-degree study and professional affiliation for mid-career professionals, with travel and allowances (dependants not covered).
- Nepal:
- Check official page
- India:
- Eligible
Date shown is the India round. Nepali applicants: ask the US Embassy / Fulbright Commission in Kathmandu.
This round closed — check the official page for the next round
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
What has changed recently?
PROPOSED (not final): DHS proposes a USD 70,000 fee for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT, paid by the school. Comments close 9 November 2026. Source: dhs.gov (opens the official website in a new tab)
Check these yourself
We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.
- The reported USD 250 "visa integrity fee" — no official page confirmed the amount or start date.
- Rules for F-2 dependants.
Official sources for United States
Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked .
- 1ICE SEVP I-901SEVIS · SEVIS fee
- 2FMJfeeSEVIS pay · Pay I-901
- 3Study in the StatesI-20 · I-20 rules
- 4Financial abilityFunds · Funds
- 5Working in the USWork · On/off campus
- 6ICE practical trainingPost-study · OPT / STEM OPT
- 7SEVP school searchSchool search · Certified schools
- 8US Embassy KathmanduEmbassy Nepal · Nepal notices
- 9US Embassy & Consulates in IndiaEmbassy India · India notices
- 10USIEF (Fulbright)India advising · Fulbright + advising
Planning to study in the United States?
Tell us your results, budget and intake. We reply with options and the official steps, free.
General information from official government sources — not legal or immigration advice, and not a guarantee of admission, scholarship, employment or visa approval. Rules change: always confirm on the official site before you apply.