Does the New U.S. Visa Bond Apply to F-1 Students from Nepal?

The news on the United States' widening visa bond program for Nepalis has led to confusion among those who are hoping to study in America.

Some headlines even speak of visa bonds reaching up to $20,000, raising an important yet natural question:

Do Nepali students applying for an F-1 student visa also have to pay the U.S. visa bond?

The premise is that the short answer is:

This is a very significant distinction for students and families in Nepal who are considering higher education in the United States in 2026.

This booklet answers these questions and describes the U.S. visa bond, who it applies to, why Nepal is included, and what F-1 students really need to pay and prepare for.

In 1991, the U.S. Department of State implemented a visa bond program which permits consular officials to demand financial bonds from certain individuals being granted temporary visitor visas as a requirement for granting the visa.

The program was a pilot at first, but the visa bond program becomes permanent in a 2026 final rule.

The last rule will require covered applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 for temporary business or tourism visas. The intent is to promote adherence to the conditions of the visitor visa and an eventual return to the United States. (Federal Register Public Inspection)

The Department of State lists Nepal as one of the countries at this time requiring visa bonds. (Travel State)

But it depends on the type of visa.

F-1 visa is a special category of student visas issued to international students who are studying in U.S. institutions that are authorized to receive the foreign students.

The permanent visa bond rule is applicable to those who are applying for a permanent visa as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B category visa). The Federal Register Public Inspection file has been established.

Therefore:

This means a Nepali student applying for an F-1 visa does not need to add a $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 visitor-visa bond to their normal F-1 application costs under the current program.

It's valid that Nepal has been mentioned as one of the countries that will be affected by the visa bond policy.

Over the last few years, news about the possible bond for some U.S. visas has been prevalent in the news in Nepal.

In August 2026, The Kathmandu Post reported that the US had made the visa bond scheme permanent for Nepalis and other nationalities with the maximum bond amount being raised to $20,000. The same report notes that the scheme is for the “some” B-1/B-2 temporary business and tourist visa applicants. (Kathmandu Post)

The key distinction is therefore:

The difference is, then, that:

Someone can be in the bond policy as a Nepali national only when he applies for the covered visa category.

This does not mean that all visas issued by the United States of America are now subject to a bond for Nepalis.

Understanding the difference between visitor visas and student visas helps clear up the confusion.

A B-1 visa is generally intended for temporary business activities such as:

A B-2 visa is generally used for:

The combined B-1/B-2 visa is commonly issued for both types of temporary visits. (Travel State)

These are the visa categories associated with the visa bond program.

F-1 visa for students from abroad enrolled in academic programs in the United States.

Common F-1 students might be studying:

Students typically must be accepted to an SEVP-certified school and have a valid Form I-20 before submitting F-1 visa applications.

The F-1 visa application process is thus entirely different from the tourist/business visitor visa process.

Although the visitor visa bond does not apply, F-1 applicants still have normal student visa-related costs.

Two important federal fees are:

The standard nonimmigrant visa application processing fee for an F student visa is currently $185.

F-1 students generally need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, currently $350, before the visa interview.

These are separate from:

The new B-visa bond should not simply be added to this list for an F-1 applicant.

Yes.F-1 visas are still included in the current U.S. Department of State reciprocity schedule for Nepal.

It currently lists Nepali F-1 visas for multiple entries and with a validity of up to 60 months (which can be extended at the discretion of the applicant, if they qualify and secure the visa). (Travel State)

This is another reason for students to take their time in reading headlines in the media that do not give the impression of the United States government having blocked Nepalis from applying for student visas.

The bond of the visitor and F-1 student visa are different matters.

No.On bond is not a means to purchase a visa even for B-1/B-2 applicants who are under the bond requirement.

The Department of State states that a covered applicant must have met the other requirements and be qualified for the B-1/B-2 visa. The applicant may then be asked to lodge the bond as a condition to the grant. (Travel State)

Applicants should therefore not:

As of now, the program allows the applicant to post bond only upon receiving instructions from the official U.S. government procedure. (Travel State)

The previous pilot included applicants with bonds of $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000.

The permanent 2026 rule allows consular officers to demand up to $20,000 bond for applicants for a B visa. (Federal Register Public Inspection)

The amount is not paid by all travellers automatically.

It is only applicable with the consular officer’s determination that a bond is needed under the program.

As with the F-1 student visa fees, this is not to be confused with charges.

According to the Department of State, countries that have the Visa Bond requirement include some countries that are identified based on the Entry/Exit Overstay Report from the Department of Homeland Security, which reports on B-1/B-2 overstay rates. (Travel State)

That, too, is another indicator that the rule is not about education per se, but rather visitor visas.

The policy is directly linked to the requirements of temporary visitors' compliance and departure.

For those applying for an F-1 visa, the fear of a visitor visa bond could get in the way of the problems you need to address for your student visa application.

Focus instead on these areas.

Know:

Check your I-20 carefully and understand:

Be able to explain how you will cover:

Your funding should be credible and consistent with your documents.

Make sure your DS-160 information is accurate.

Your interview responses should not contradict your:

Prepare to answer questions naturally about:

The F-1 is still a nonimmigrant visa!

Applicants need to prove that they are eligible for the visa category and meet the requirements of U.S. immigration law.

Yes, this is more applicable to F-1 students than B-visa bonds.

At the moment the Department of State states that foreign nationals seeking F, M and J visas will undergo a review of their online presence.

The visa applicants of the above-mentioned categories are urged to put their social media profiles “public” or “open” for vetting. (Travel State)

Students should not fabricate information, cover-up requested information and falsify their records to deceive visa officials.

The accuracy and consistency are still essential for the entire process of application.

Social media can sometimes simplify a complex immigration policy into a headline whenever there is a major immigration reform announcement.

You may find comments like:

Now, Nepalis have to pay an additional $20,000 for a visa to the U.S.

The visa bond policy is misleading that statement.

The more correct one is:

It is always advisable for students to verify the visa category to confirm that they are subject to another immigration rule.

Yes, it is possible to obtain an F-1 visa for students in Nepal.

In 2026, the U.S. government has instituted and enhanced many screening, vetting and immigration policy, but Nepal is not one of the countries included in the proclamation that temporarily suspends the issuance of F, M and J visa. (Travel State)

This doesn't mean that it is guaranteed to get an F-1 visa.

Students will have to go through the normal student visa process.

However, the new visa bond for visitors isn't a deportation of Nepali students or a new $20,000 F-1 visa fee.

As a family, should you be preparing for study in the U.S. keep these four things in mind:

This separation can prevent families from concerns unnecessarily, and can help prevent them from reading misinformation or getting scammed.

Nepal has naturally been a keen interest of the new U.S. visa bond policy due to the possibility of having to post a significant amount of bonds on behalf of covered B-1/B-2 visa holders.

However, students from Nepal should not get confused between the visitor visa bond and the F-1 student visa process.

In the current programme:

If you are thinking about studying in the USA, focus on what matters with respect to your application: with the right university and course, your Form I-20, the SEVIS fee, and the DS-160 form, and preparing your finances and attending your F-1 interview.

Also, immigration policies in the U.S. may change, so make sure to check critical information from official sources of the U.S. government before applying.

Visa policies for the United States are complex, especially when news headlines include both visitor and student or immigrant visa policies.

Raffles Educare can assist students in understanding the USA study process, comparing universities and courses, preparing applications and preparing for the F-1 student visa process.

Taking on plans to study in the USA from Nepal? Get reliable guidance before developing your application.