The honest situation right now: appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu are tight, and 2026 has added a layer of policy changes on top. If your intake is May, June, August or September this year, this piece is a practical playbook — booking window, fees, the January 2026 rule changes, what actually matters, and what does not.
What the current slot picture really looks like
The U.S. Embassy Nepal has said publicly that nonimmigrant visa slots (which includes F1) are being made available across all categories, but that applicants may see long wait times due to demand and that new appointments are added whenever possible. Peak load is May through August, aligned with US Fall intake, and it re-tightens in October to December for Spring intake.
In plain terms, that means: if you want a June or July interview, do not wait until April to start. If you want a November or December interview, do not wait until October.
Fees you must pay (and pay in the right order)
- Form I-20 from the university — needed to pay SEVIS. Ask your university to release it as soon as your CAS / deposit is confirmed.
- I-901 SEVIS fee: USD 350. Paid online at FMJfee.com using your SEVIS ID from the I-20. Pay it at least 3 business days before the visa interview.
- DS-160 form + MRV (visa application) fee: USD 185. Complete DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov/genniv, then pay the MRV at ustraveldocs.com/np.
Mandatory US Government fees for the F1 alone: USD 535. Add university enrolment deposit, translated documents, financial evidence, air ticket, and immunisation — practical outlay is usually higher.
MRV fee validity: the 365-day rule
If you paid the MRV on or after 1 October 2023, your receipt is valid for 365 days from the date it was issued. Within those 365 days you must either schedule your interview or submit an interview-waiver application. The interview itself does not need to occur inside the 365 days — only the scheduling must. This is useful to know if your intake shifts or your I-20 is reissued.
January 2026 policy changes you should know about
1. B1/B2 bond of up to USD 15,000 for Nepali nationals. Effective 21 January 2026, Nepali nationals found otherwise eligible for a US B1/B2 (tourism / business visitor) visa must post a bond of up to USD 15,000, per the Department of State. This applies to B1/B2 only, not to the F1 student visa. Parents visiting on B1/B2 for graduation would be affected. F1 applicants are not.
2. Immigrant visa pause for Nepal. Also effective 21 January 2026, immigrant visa issuance to Nepali nationals is paused under the public-benefits reliance policy. F1 is a nonimmigrant visa and is not part of this pause. Family and diversity visas are affected.
3. Social media accounts must be public. The Department of State instructs F1, M1 and J1 applicants (among others) to set all social media accounts to public or open to facilitate identity and admissibility vetting. Do this before your DS-160 submission, not after your interview letter arrives.
4. Presidential Proclamation 10998 (from 1 January 2026) suspends or limits visa issuance for nationals of 39 named countries. Nepal is not on that list as of this update, but the list can change; verify at travel.state.gov before your interview.
The realistic booking timeline
- 8–10 weeks before target interview: Get your I-20, pay SEVIS, complete DS-160, pay MRV, and open your ustraveldocs account.
- 6–8 weeks before: Schedule your interview slot. If your first date is far out, keep refreshing the appointment page every 24–48 hours — slots get added as cancellations happen.
- 4–6 weeks before: Prepare documents — passport, I-20, SEVIS receipt, MRV receipt, financial evidence, academic records, English test scorecard, university acceptance letter, sponsor documents.
- 2–3 weeks before: Mock interview, refine your responses, confirm sponsor bank balance certificate and tax clearance are still current.
- Interview day: Arrive at Maharajgunj early. Only the applicant enters. Bring documents in the recommended order.
When your intake is at risk
Some hard-won lessons from the last two intake cycles:
- Deferring intake by one term is often easier than fighting a rejection. If your interview date lands after your university start date and you cannot reach the consular section for an expedited appointment, ask your Designated School Official (DSO) about deferring to the next term rather than travelling on a visa lodged in bad time.
- Expedited/emergency appointments are considered case-by-case and space is limited. Follow the ustraveldocs process, not third-party agents.
- Interview waiver is available for some renewal applicants, not first-time F1. Check eligibility on ustraveldocs before you assume.
- Bond warning: if your consular officer mentions a bond, that is a B1/B2 issue, not F1. Do not pay any bond to any third-party website. The Department of State will provide the correct instructions.
The Kathmandu embassy in specifics
- Location: U.S. Embassy Nepal, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.
- Phone (embassy): +977-1-423-4000.
- Visa scheduling support: support-nepal@usvisascheduling.com or +977 9801208392.
- Fee validity: MRV valid 365 days from receipt (post 1 Oct 2023).
- Fee refund: not available if an appointment is not available before your travel date. This is stated clearly by the Embassy.
What we tell our students at The Next
Start the F1 process the day you deposit your I-20 fee. Do not wait for the I-20 to arrive by post before paying SEVIS — ask the DSO to email a scanned copy first. Book the interview slot before you finish your bank documents; you can always update DS-160 or reschedule. And do not pay third-party “slot agents” — they do not have anything the ustraveldocs system does not, and it is a well-known scam category flagged by the Embassy.
If you want a checklist for your intake specifically, book a free F1 counselling session at any of our 20+ Nepal branches or reach us at info@thenext.edu.np.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the F1 visa fee in 2026?
USD 185 MRV plus USD 350 SEVIS I-901. Total mandatory US Government fees: USD 535.
How long is my MRV fee valid?
365 days from the date the receipt was issued (for receipts issued from 1 October 2023 onward).
When should I book my F1 interview?
As soon as your Form I-20 permits. May to August is peak; aim to schedule 8–12 weeks before your target interview date.
Does the January 2026 B1/B2 bond apply to F1?
No. It applies to B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas issued to Nepali nationals, not to F1.
Should I set my social media to public?
Yes. F1, M1 and J1 applicants are instructed to make all social media accounts public or open to facilitate identity and admissibility vetting.