Nepali Students in the U.S. from Past to Present: 2 lakes 33 thousand in 30 Years

Hom Lamsal

The Nepali community in the United States is one of the largest Nepali communities outside of Nepal, comparable to other large diasporas worldwide. The largest Nepali community is in India, with over 3 million people. Nepalese migration to India has a long history, facilitated by the open border between the two countries, allowing Nepalese and Indians to cross freely. Large numbers of Nepali communities are also found in several Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, Bahrain, and Hong Kong, as well as in some non-Asian countries. In recent decades, the Nepali community in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada has been growing rapidly, according to statistics.

The U.S. immigration statistics classify Nepal under the “Other Asia” category, which is why certain data are difficult to find. No records indicate whether any Nepalis migrated to the U.S. before 1950. Due to Nepal’s foreign policy restrictions at the time and the lack of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the U.S. until 1947, Nepalis were unable to travel to the United States. U.S. immigration records for Nepalis began in 1956, with official data showing that only one Nepali immigrant arrived in the U.S. that year. From 1968 to 1986, fewer than 10 Nepalis arrived in the U.S. yearly. Between 1983 and 1986, the annual number of Nepali immigrants remained below 100, but gradually, relations between Nepal and the United States improved. Over nearly 50 years, only 4,778 Nepalis migrated to the United States as immigrants.

It was only in the 21st century that Nepali immigration to the United States accelerated. The number of Nepali immigrants in the U.S. after 2000 increased by 3,395 times compared to the period from 1956 to 1999. In the past seven decades, a total of 172,096 Nepalis have migrated to live in the U.S. The increase over the past three years is not specified in the available data. It is estimated that the total Nepali population in the U.S., including those born in the U.S., students who later settled, and those who migrated with family, exceeds 300,000. The number of Nepalis migrating to the U.S. doubled after students began coming for higher education.

International students are not classified as immigrants, but they are a significant source of immigration. Many students adjust their non-immigrant status to immigrant status after securing jobs in the U.S., with over 80% of them doing so. Interestingly, there is no record of Nepali students returning to Nepal after completing their studies in the U.S., suggesting that they remain in the country. Students who come to study often stay legally through employment or other avenues. This is particularly true for Nepali students in the U.S.

The number of Nepali students enrolled in American universities increased from 1,219 in the academic year 1995-1996 to 16,742 in 2023-2024, representing an 11-fold increase. Over the past 30 years, the number of Nepali students pursuing education in the U.S. has grown significantly. According to the International Institute of Education and Open Doors, Nepal ranked as the 10th leading country in terms of the number of international students in U.S. higher education in 2024. From 1995-1996 to 2023-2024, the total number of Nepali students in the United States reached 233,717.

The Open Doors report, which has been tracking international student data for 75 years, indicates that the current number of international students in the U.S. is at an all-time high, with the U.S. becoming the country with the largest intake of international students in the world. The total number of international students in the U.S. increased by 7% in 2023, reaching 1,126,690. Newly elected President Donald Trump has proposed offering green cards to international students after they complete their studies, which is expected to further increase the number of students. Trump’s objective appears to be to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants while attracting skilled labor to the U.S. by offering a pathway to permanent residence for students. However, it will take time for this proposal to be implemented.