Visa Pulse — Week of May 11 to May 17, 2026

By ESM Overseas Visa Experts | May 11, 2026

This Week’s Headlines

• US Embassy New Delhi resumes full F-1 interview slots for summer. After a brief capacity dip in April, interview availability has improved across New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. If you’ve been waiting, now is the window to book — slots for June and July are filling fast.
• UK Home Office confirms Student Route processing back to 3-week standard. Processing times spiked to 5–6 weeks earlier this spring due to high application volumes. The Home Office confirmed this week that turnaround is back to the standard 3 weeks for applications submitted inside the UK and from India.
• SEVIS fee still USD 350 — no changes for 2026–27. The I-901 SEVIS fee remains at USD 350 (~₹29,400) for F-1 students. Pay only through the official FMJfee.com portal. Scam payment links have been circulating on WhatsApp — verify every link before entering card details.
• US OPT demand at record high — STEM extension approvals up 18% YoY. USCIS data shows STEM OPT extensions for Indian students rose 18% compared to this time last year, signalling strong post-study work prospects for engineering, CS, and data science graduates.
• CAS issuance season is open for UK September 2026 intake. Most UK universities began issuing Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letters this week for unconditional offer holders. If you have an unconditional offer and haven’t received your CAS, contact your admissions office — do not wait.

Embassy & Visa Wait Times

US Embassy New Delhi — F-1 Student Visa: Interview wait time is currently 14–21 days for the first available appointment (down from 35+ days in March). After your interview, visa stamp delivery takes 3–5 business days via courier. Plan your total timeline at 4–5 weeks from DS-160 submission to passport back in hand.

US Embassy New Delhi — B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa: Wait times remain elevated at 60–75 days for regular appointments. Emergency appointment slots are available for genuine medical or bereavement situations — not for leisure travel. If you need a B-1/B-2, apply immediately; do not leave it for June.

UK Student Route (from India): The UKVI is processing applications submitted in India in 15–21 working days. Priority processing (£500 fee) brings this down to 5 working days and is worth considering for anyone with a September start whose CAS just arrived.

Deadlines You Can Still Make

Fall 2026 (August–September start) — the clock is ticking. Several strong universities are still accepting applications for Fall 2026, but rolling admission rounds are closing through May and June. Act this week, not next.

• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) — May 31 for MS in Computer Science, Engineering, and Business programs. Strong public research university with good OPT outcomes.
• Northeastern University (Boston) — June 1 for select MS programs via late-round admission. Known for its co-op program — real work experience built into the degree.
• University of Cincinnati — June 15 for STEM-designated Engineering and Data Analytics programs. Affordable tuition relative to coastal schools.
• UK September 2026 intake — conditional offer holders: You have until roughly end of May to meet academic conditions (final mark sheets, English scores) and trigger your CAS. Check your offer letter for the exact condition deadline — missing it forfeits your place.
• January 2027 UK intake applications open at most universities this month — a strong backup if Fall 2026 didn’t work out.

University Spotlight: Arizona State University (USA)

Acceptance rate for Indian applicants: ~88% — ASU has a broad intake policy and is ranked among the top US public universities for innovation nine years running by US News. For international students, admission is competitive at the graduate level even if overall acceptance is high.

Annual cost in INR (approx.): Tuition for graduate programs runs USD 14,000–28,000 per year (~₹11.7L–₹23.5L), depending on the program. Add USD 12,000–15,000 (~₹10L–₹12.5L) for living expenses in Tempe, Arizona — significantly cheaper than New York, Boston, or San Francisco.

Popular courses for Indian students: MS in Computer Science, MS in Data Science, MS in Engineering Management, MBA (W. P. Carey School of Business), and MS in Information Technology. The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is one of the largest engineering schools in the US by enrollment.

One surprising fact: ASU’s online programs are accredited identically to its in-person degrees — and the online MS in Computer Science costs roughly 40% less than the on-campus version. Many Indian students start on-campus and transition to the online format once they secure OPT employment, keeping their student status active.

Exchange Rate Watch

USD/INR this week: ₹83.60 — the rupee has held relatively steady against the dollar through May, avoiding the volatility seen in early April. At this rate, USD 1,000 in monthly expenses equals approximately ₹83,600 — factor this into your monthly budget planning, not the optimistic ₹80 figure some calculators still show.

GBP/INR this week: ₹106.40 — the pound remains strong. A UK annual tuition of £18,000 now converts to approximately ₹19.15 lakh — roughly ₹80,000 more than it would have cost at the same pound amount two years ago. Lock in your forex rate early if your fee payment is due in June or July.

The real cost meaning: Every ₹1 the rupee weakens against the pound adds roughly ₹18,000 to a typical UK year’s tuition bill. Build a 5–7% exchange rate buffer into your financial proof when applying — visa officers look for comfort, not just the exact minimum.

Quick Tip of the Week

Your DS-160 photo can get your visa cancelled before the interview even starts. US visa rejections at the administrative stage have ticked up this season — and photo non-compliance is a leading cause. The rules: white background only (no off-white, no cream), taken within the last 6 months, no glasses, head covering only for religious reasons, and your full face from chin to crown must fill 50–69% of the frame. Take your photo at a professional studio that knows US visa specs — not a selfie, not a passport booth set to Indian passport dimensions. A ₹200 studio photo is cheaper than rebooking a visa appointment.

See you next Monday. Questions? +91-7087217801 or esmoverseas.com/contact-us/