The U.S. State Department says some Nepal passport holders applying for B1/B2 visitor visas could be asked to deposit $5,000 to $15,000, which can be returned if they follow the rules.
Category: Immigration & Legal
Australia student visa: Nepal moved to Evidence Level 3 in PRISMS update
Nepal is now listed at Evidence Level 3 in PRISMS, a shift that can increase documentation requirements and scrutiny for Nepali students applying for Australia’s Student visa under the combined country and provider evidence model.
US pauses DV visas, leaving Nepal DV-2026 winners waiting
The U.S. has paused printing and issuing Diversity Visas, leaving Nepali DV-2026 selectees in limbo even after interviews. Officials say interviews may continue, but no DV visas will be issued for now as the government reviews screening after the Brown University shooting and the killing of an MIT professor.
US raises “self-deport” bonus to $3,000 for year-end departures
The US has increased its “self-deport” bonus to $3,000 for undocumented migrants who register through the CBP Home app and leave by Dec. 31, with free airfare and potential waivers of certain civil fines.
Indian-origin truck drivers sue California DMV over mass CDL cancellations
Immigrant truck drivers, many Indian-origin and Punjabi Sikh, have filed a class-action lawsuit to stop the California DMV from canceling up to about 20,000 CDLs starting January 5, 2026, citing expiration-date mismatches and a lack of a fix process.
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee puts fresh pressure on skilled foreign workers
The Trump administration has imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, a dramatic increase that spares most existing holders but faces legal challenges from 20 US states and could reduce hiring of skilled workers from countries like Nepal.
US plan could require foreign tourists to give 5 years of social media history
The Trump administration has proposed a rule that would force visa-free tourists from 42 countries to disclose five years of social media history and other personal data before entering the United States, raising serious privacy and tourism concerns.
US cancels citizenship ceremonies for migrants from 19 travel ban countries
The U.S. has abruptly canceled or delayed some citizenship ceremonies and paused most immigration cases for migrants from 19 travel ban countries, citing a new national-security review and leaving thousands of long-term applicants in limbo.
Trump Gold Card visa sells US residency for $1m, fast-tracking citizenship
President Donald Trump’s new Trump Gold Card visa sells a fast-tracked path to U.S. residency and future citizenship for a $1 million payment, replacing older investor visas but raising major legal, fairness and access questions for migrants and diasporas worldwide.
Trump administration separates thousands of migrant families in the US
Key takeaways A federal task force created later has been working to find parents, match records and bring families back together. US officials say they have reunited thousands of children and parents and are offering support such as temporary legal status, counseling and help with housing and travel. Under a court settlement, the government has...









