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Computer Failure Causes Major Delays in State Department's Passport and Visa Issuing System
Practical Law Legal Update 5-576-3185 (Approx. 3 pages)
Computer Failure Causes Major Delays in State Department's Passport and Visa Issuing System
by Practical Law Labor & Employment
| Published on 29 Jul 2014 • USA (National/Federal) |
This US immigration update covers glitches in the State Department's Consular Consolidated Database. State Department spokesperson Marie Harf has stated that the glitches crashed the system, resulting in significant delays in processing of passports, visas and reports of Americans born abroad. The system is operational, but delays in visa, passport and birth report applications persist.
State Department spokesperson Marie Harf has stated that since July 19, 2014, technological glitches in the Consular Consolidated Database caused the system to crash, resulting in considerable delays in the processing of passports, visas and reports of Americans born abroad. The consequent significant backlog in the processing of applications has hindered efforts to get the system back online.
The State Department confirmed that the problem is world-wide and not specific to any country, citizenship document or visa category. There is no information currently available on how long the disruption will last. The latest update confirms only that the State Department is attempting to resolve the problems as quickly as possible.
Employers should be aware that visa applications by foreign workers will likely be delayed. Employers with foreign workers who are:
- Currently in the US should consider advising their employees to delay or cancel international travel if the workers need to apply for a visa.
- Outside of the US should remain in close contact with their employees to track the visa application and alert business managers and human resources staff of potential delays in the employees' travel to the US.