On June 12, 2015, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) reported delays in visa issuance at U.S. embassies and consular posts worldwide due to technical issues impacting the transmission of biometrics for completion of required background checks. The DOS subsequently advised that the system would not be back online until at least the week of June 22nd.

On Wednesday, June 24th, the DOS announced that 50 total posts are back online and issuing visas. The DOS said the 50 posts represent about three-quarters of the global nonimmigrant visa volume. The remaining posts are expected to be restored in the coming days as specialists continue to work to resolve the problem.

All consulate posts worldwide are now scheduling visa interviews with applicants, including those who applied after the system problems began on June 9th. As more and more posts come back online and begin working through accumulated backlogs, applicants may expect slower processing and visa issuance. New applicants preparing to submit their applications for the first time should also be prepared for longer than normal wait times for a visa appointment.

As always, Foster will continue to monitor visa issuance delays and system outages and will provide additional information in future Immigration Updates^© and on our firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.