US visa meltdown: when will the system be working again?

A problem with a US government computer system has halted all visa applications, inconveniencing thousands of businesspeople, holidaymakers and migrant workers.

What's going on?

The hardware failure, which began last week at the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, is preventing officials from processing the mandatory security-related biometric data checks that accompany visa applications from around the world. The government said there was no evidence the problem was the result of a cyber attack, and said technicians were "working around the clock" to fix it.

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Who has been affected?

The US embassy in London said the problem is not specific to any particular country or visa category. It has affected thousands of people, including business travellers, tourists and musicians wanting to go on tour. The meltdown has meant that passports have been held up in the system and people needing to travel have struggled to get their documents back, reports the Financial Times.

The glitch has also left hundreds of migrant workers stranded on the Mexican border, unable to cross into the US for harvesting season. "While US farmers are concerned about the rotting orchards and the potential for prices to rise as a result," says The Guardian. "Mexicans are losing money as they won’t be paid for the days missed stuck at the border waiting for the visa system to be repaired."

When will the system be working again?

"We don't expect that the system will be online before next week, said State Department spokesman John Kirby. "I can't give you any more specific detail with respect to timing on that." Delays are likely to continue even after the glitch has been fixed, as government officials attempt to deal with the backlog of applications. "We are trying to manage expectations and get back to people when we can, but in some cases it just isn't possible," said the London embassy.

How do you apply for a US visa?

Anyone in the UK who is not eligible to enter the United States visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or is not exempt from the visa requirement, can begin the application process on the London embassy's website.

Step 1:

Select the type of visa required

Step 2:

Check your eligibility for a visa

Step 3:

Complete the online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form and print the "Confirmation Page" with a barcode before your interview. Otherwise, the embassy may not be able to process your application and you will be required to reschedule the interview.

Step 4:

Visit USVisa-info.com and create and account, pay a visa fee, schedule an interview appointment and arrange for the return of your passport.

Step 5:

Appear at the embassy for your interview, ensuring that you have all the required documentation.

Step 6:

Receive your documents – this usually takes five working days from approval, but the embassy warns that it some cases, the process can take up to six months or longer.