Embassy of the United States Kathmandu, Nepal

New Immigrant Visa DHS Domestic Processing Fee (USCIS Immigrant Fee)

Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States.  Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is/are entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee.  The below USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions: www.USCIS.gov/immigrantfee. 

An immigrant visa is required of anyone who wishes to enter the United States to reside there permanently, whether or not that person plans to seek employment in the United States. U.S. immigration law provides for the issuance of immigrant visas in four general categories:

• Immediate Relatives
• Family Based
• Employment Based
• Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (sometimes known as the "green card" lottery)
• Notice: After 8/15/2011, U.S.Citizens residing in Nepal may no longer file I-130 “Petition for Alien Relative” at U.S. Embassy Kathmandu.  Click here for details.

Reminders for Immigrant Visa Applicants

All immigrant visa applicants who have received a letter scheduling an appointment for an interview at the Embassy are encouraged to read these instructions carefully in order to be better prepared for the interview.

All members of your family who will immigrate with you must appear for the interview.

If you cannot keep your appointment, please notify the Consular section by email at consktm@state.gov . An appointment for your interview will be rescheduled on the next available date.

Medical: Upon receiving the appointment letter from NVC, contact the International Organization of Migration (IOM) for a medical examination.  Please visit the following link http://nepal.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-exams.html. The results of the medical examination will be sent be directly to the Consular section by IOM.

Passport:  All applicants need to bring their passport.  The passport must be valid for travel to the United States and must have at least six months validity beyond the issuance date of the visa. Children cannot be included in a parent’s passport, an individual passport has to be obtained for them.

Police Certificate:  If you previously provided a Nepali police certificate to the National Visa Center and the police certificate has expired by the time of your interview please bring an updated/current police certificate with you for the interview.  Police certificates are valid for one year only.  If an applicant has turned 16 by the time of the interview and a police certificate has not been submitted to the NVC please obtain a police certificate from the police authorities where you now reside.

Evidence of relationship: We strongly suggest that applicants bring extensive documentary evidence of relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary/beneficiaries.  The Consular officer must be convinced that a legitimate relationship exists between the you and the person who has petitioned for you.  Some examples of such evidence include letters, photographs, telephone bills and/or any other evidence that demonstrates your relationship. If the petitioner is your step-parent you must bring the divorce decree of your biological parents and evidence that demonstrates the marital relationship between your biological parent and your stepparent.

Power of Attorney for minors:  If the applicant is a minor and the biological parents are not able to accompany the applicant for the interview, a legal guardian with an appropriate power of attorney to sign on the parent’s behalf is required.  The Power of Attorney is a statement written by the biological parents of the applicant that gives permission to an adult to act on behalf of the child/children regarding the immigrant visa and interview.  The person assigned the Power of Attorney must bring photo identification to the interview appointment.

Photocopies:  Please bring photocopies of your birth, marriage and police certificates for the interview.

Visa Fee:  If the fee has not been paid for you in the United States, be prepared to pay the non-refundable visa fee at the Consular section at the time of the interview.  We can only accept payment in one currency, you must pay the total entirely in U.S. dollars or entirely in Nepalese rupees. Fee is accepted in cash only.

Important Note

NO ASSURANCE THAT VISA WILL BE ISSUED. A Consular Officer can make a decision regarding your eligibility for an immigrant visa only after your visa application and all documents are reviewed, and you have been personally interviewed. You are advised not to make any travel arrangements, and not to dispose of your property or give up your job until the visa has been issued. If your visa application is refused, you will be given a refusal sheet that will indicate the basis for your refusal. If applicable, it will tell you what actions you could take to overcome the refusal.

Visa issuance and validity:  The visas are affixed inside each passport and the applicant is given a sealed envelope which should be hand carried, UNOPENED, to the United States and submitted to the immigration inspector at the U.S. port-of-entry.

Generally, an immigrant visa is valid for six months unless its validity is limited by medical or other restrictions.