After the US President Donald Trump's administration tightened international student visas, there is confusion among Nepali students. There is confusion among Nepali students who are preparing to go to America for higher education studies.

America is one of the top 5 countries of choice for Nepalese students. According to the data of the Ministry of Education, the attraction of students in the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea and the UK is more in recent years. The Trump administration has decided to tighten not only non-resident citizens, but also student visas.

The US government recently ordered its embassies to stop scheduling interviews for student visas. Although the interview of the students who got time has not been stopped, the time has been stopped for the new students.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a notice to diplomatic missions ordering that student visa interviews not be scheduled until further notice. It is said that if the interview time has been given, it can be continued. For students going to study in America, the embassy of the respective country conducts interviews for visa approval.

After the order of the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepalese students canceled their plans to go to the US and started making plans to study in other countries or study higher education in Nepal, according to the former president of Nepal Educational Consulting Association (ECAN), Bishnuhari Pandey. "This is also an opportunity for the universities and colleges of Nepal," he said.

Since the crackdown on non-resident citizens, Pandey says that even though Nepali students had time for interviews, some did not participate. Due to visa restrictions, the number of people who want to go to America is almost zero. "Students were disturbed since Trump came under the leadership," he said, "Now the date of the interview has been stopped." 

The number of Nepali students going abroad to study in IT, engineering and research centers is high. According to the data of the Ministry of Education, 8,000 students have obtained foreign permit NOC for America in the current financial year. 12 thousand in 2080/81, 6 and a half thousand in 2079/80, 8 thousand in 2078/79 took NOC. 

Ministry of Education Higher Education Division Joint Secretary Vaikunth Aryal said that since it is not the time of student enrollment, there is no significant impact, but it may have an impact in the future. After the announcement of class 12 results, the number of students who take NOC is higher from August to November. After completing the process, the NOC is being issued. For the US, there is not even a high pressure like Japan and Korea,' he said, 'There is no big impact as it is not even the admission season.' Students prepare to go to America by taking TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and other classes. The consultants say that there is uncertainty whether the application will not be given even after preparation. 

Chairman of ECAN, Sesharaj Bhattarai said that even if there is no immediate effect, hundreds of students who are preparing to go to America will be in trouble. "Students and parents who are going to study in America are confused," he said. He pointed out that there is a possibility that some students who aim to make

America will find alternatives and most of them will be held. We and the students also believe that the status quo will not continue. "Students thinking of America as their destination wait for some time after enrolling in Nepal. How long will the universities there last without accepting international students?" said Bhattarai.

Apart from consultancy, the number of students applying directly to universities and colleges to study in America is also remarkable. In 2023/24, Nepalis are estimated to be around 2 percent of the foreign students who will enroll in educational institutions in America. More than 100,000 students in the current financial year, 112,000 last year, and 110,000 students in 2079/80 have taken NOCs to study abroad, including the US.

International news organizations have mentioned that America's foreign student policy has put students around the world in uncertainty. Open Doors, an organization that keeps data on international foreign students, said that students from 210 countries study in the US at universities, colleges and other educational institutions. According to the data, 11 million foreign students were enrolled in 2023/24.

Most students from neighboring India and China have gone to America to study. There are 330,000 students from India and 280,000 from China studying at Open Doors. Many students from countries including South Korea, Canada, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Brazil and Nepal go to America to study.

The American government has been more aggressive in the matter of Chinese students. US Secretary of State Rubio also announced that the visas of students who have ties to the Chinese Communist Party or who are studying in important fields will be canceled. In his statement, it is mentioned that visa applications of students from China and Hong Kong will be monitored more. 

Previously, President Trump took steps to stop the prestigious Harvard University from accepting foreign students. Trump accused the universities and campuses of not doing enough to stop anti-Semitic activity. The tightening of visas for foreign students is also considered a part of the action against educational institutions, including Harvard, which is considered the best in the world in America. 

However, Trump's move to stop student enrollment has been overturned by the US court. West Virginia and Pittsburgh University professor emeritus William Brustin said that the Trump administration's decision on international students will also have a serious impact on the United States. "Harvard is difficult, even if it's difficult. But the concern is with our public universities, which are heavily dependent on tuition and other fees paid by foreign students. The main impact will be on the diverse approach brought by foreign students.

How long will the tightening of student visas last?

Students going on to study PhD and on scholarships do not seem to be affected much. But there is no clear policy or decision of the US government on this matter. It is also unclear how long the restrictions will be in effect. This condition can be serious if it lasts for a long time. Can't say exactly as the decision is not mature. However, it will definitely be difficult for students who are going to study at a level lower than PhD. It may only have a short-term effect. If this situation continues for a long time, it will cause problems not only in Nepal, but all over the world.

Students going to study on scholarship have also started to stop?

depends on how much the budget is cut for scholarship students. Now the visa policy may be hindered. How much the scholarship cuts in the long run. That decision has not been made. It also depends on the budget allocated for education and investment. America is a country with a large economy. Some universities rely on fees from foreign students. It doesn't look like international student cuts will last long because they're in big trouble. 

What advice do you have for students who are preparing to go to America for higher education? Students who are thinking of going abroad to study

can also look for options in other countries. There is nothing that says you have to go to America. Even now, there is no complete ban on visas. It is only a strict policy. Students should not only say abroad. There is also a possibility in Nepal. There are also plenty of opportunities in universities and colleges here. There are also opportunities in prestigious universities in other countries. 

What are the reasons why Nepali students should go to America for higher education?

US universities are leading the world rankings. It has been a practice for Nepalis to come and go to study since before. It also helps. US degrees are also attractive because they are globally recognized. There is also an opportunity to meet and mingle with people from many countries. The society is also open. The mixed community is also student friendly. There is a good environment for foreign students. They respect.  In terms of

language, we find English easier after Nepali. A fascination with English has also worked. Science, technology, innovation, IT sector is also of high quality. Before that, there has been a great faith in America's education.