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UNITED STATES – Department of State Database Crash Causes Processing Delays

The U.S. Department of State (DOS)'s global database, used to approve, record and print visas and other documents, has been experiencing major performance issues which, it says, will take “some weeks” to resolve.

According to the DOS, only about half of the expected number of nonimmigrant visas were printed between 20 and 28 July.

Applicants awaiting nonimmigrant visas should expect a delay of 10-14 days, while immigrant visas (green cards), visas for nonimmigrant emergency cases, humanitarian and adoption cases, and passports are currently being issued with little or no delay.

Action Items

  • Note that delays of 10-14 days should currently be expected for nonimmigrant visa applications to the United States and that these delays may take “some weeks” to clear.
  • Note also that passports, emergency visas and immigrant visas are still being processed as usual.

This news alert was prepared using information provided by Maggio and Kattar and the U.S. Department of State.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this immigration alert has been abridged from laws, court decisions, and administrative rulings and should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice. If you have specific questions regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Peregrine © 2021 Peregrine Immigration Management Ltd.