H-1B (Specialty occupation worker): A US company hires you for a professional job that needs at least a bachelor's degree. Most employers must enter you in a yearly lottery in March. Stay: Up to 3 years, extendable to 6..
H-2B (Temporary non-farm worker (hotels, landscaping, seafood, amusement parks)): Seasonal or peak-season jobs like hotel housekeeping, landscaping and fish processing. Usually only for citizens of countries on a yearly US list. Stay: Up to the certified season (usually under 1 year), maximum 3 years in total..
H-2A (Temporary farm worker): Seasonal farm work in the US. Like H-2B, it's mainly for countries on a yearly list. Stay: The season, up to 3 years in total..
H-3 (Trainee (non-medical, non-academic)): A US organisation trains you in something you can't learn in Nepal, so you can use it in a career back home. Stay: Up to 2 years (18 months for special education)..
L-1 (Intracompany transfer): If you work for a company in Nepal (or elsewhere) that has a US branch, it can transfer you to the US office. Stay: L-1A up to 7 years; L-1B up to 5 years..
J-1 Summer Work Travel (University students' summer job): University students work a short seasonal job (hotels, parks, restaurants) during their official break and travel in the US. Stay: Up to 4 months, but only within the dates set for Nepal. Nepal's window on the 2026 chart was 15 October – 15 November; it can change each year..
J-1 Intern (Internship for students and recent graduates): A structured internship at a US company in your field of study. Stay: Up to 12 months..
J-1 Trainee (Professional training): Training at a US company to build your career, in fields like hospitality, IT, management or agriculture. Stay: Up to 18 months (12 months for hospitality)..
J-1 Au Pair (Live with a US family and look after children): Live with an American host family, care for their children up to 45 hours a week, get a weekly payment, and take college courses. Stay: 12 months, can extend up to 12 more..
J-1 Teacher (Teach in a US school): Qualified teachers teach full-time in US primary or secondary schools and share their culture. Stay: Up to 3 years, extendable by 1–2 years..
J-1 Research Scholar / Professor (Academic research or teaching at a university): Universities and research centres invite scholars to do research or teach. Stay: Up to 5 years..
J-1 Camp Counselor (Summer camp staff): Work at a US summer camp teaching activities and looking after campers. Stay: Up to 4 months..
J-1 two-year rule (The 'home residency' requirement (212(e))): Some J-1 visitors must live in Nepal for 2 years after the programme before they can get an H, L or green card. It applies if your programme was government-funded (e.g. Fulbright), you did graduate medical training, or your skill is on Nepal's Exchange Visitor Skills List. Stay: —.
O-1 (Extraordinary ability): For people who are among the best in their field — awards, major press, top achievements in science, business, arts, film, sport. Stay: Up to 3 years, extendable in 1-year steps..
P-1 / P-3 (Athletes, entertainers and culturally unique performers): P-1 is for internationally known athletes and entertainment groups. P-3 is for artists performing traditional, culturally unique art — for example Nepali music and dance troupes at festivals. Stay: As long as the event/tour, up to 1 year (P-1 athletes up to 5 years)..
R-1 (Religious worker): Ministers, monks, priests and other religious workers can serve a US religious organisation — for example Buddhist monasteries or Hindu temples. Stay: Up to 30 months, extendable to 5 years..
Q-1 (International cultural exchange): Work in a programme that shows your country's culture to Americans — for example theme-park pavilions or cultural centres. Stay: Up to 15 months..
F-1 + OPT (Academic student, with work after graduation): Study at a US college or university. After graduating you can work for 12 months on OPT — 36 months in total for STEM degrees. Stay: While enrolled full-time, plus OPT..
M-1 (Vocational student): Study a practical, non-academic course — aviation/pilot training, culinary, mechanics, cosmetology. Stay: Course length, maximum 1 year at a time..
B1/B2 (Business / tourist visitor): For tourism, visiting family, meetings and conferences. You cannot work on this visa. Stay: Usually up to 6 months per entry, decided at the border..
E-1 / E-2 (Treaty trader / treaty investor): Only for citizens of countries that have a trade treaty with the US. Nepal doesn't have one. Stay: —.
TN (NAFTA/USMCA professional): Only for Canadian and Mexican citizens. Stay: —.