Refused at US Consulate in Montreal

[Aria637 0]

My lawyer just emailed me saying...

I just wanted to give you a quick status update.

The Department of State is now stating that no visas of any kinds (immigrant visa, tourist, fiancée, etc.) will be issued for the next 10-14 days, related to the technical issues and subsequent backlog it is created.

[Andy&Vanda 8]

Copied/pasted this from: TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

VERY FRUSTRATING!!

Technological Systems Issue

June 17, 2015

Visa Systems Issues

The Bureau of Consular Affairs continues to experience technical problems with our visa systems. This is a global issue, and we are working around the clock to fix it. More than 100 computer experts from both the private and public sectors across the United States are working on this problem 24/7. That said, we do not expect the system will be online before next week. The problems stem from a hardware failure in a State Department facility in the United States on June 9. That failure is preventing the Department from processing and transmitting biometric data checks at visa-issuing embassies and consulates. We cannot bypass the legal requirements to screen visa applicants before we issue visas for travel. Each visa decision is a national security decision, and we take our obligation to protect the United States seriously.

We regret the inconvenience to travelers and recognize that this is causing hardship to those waiting for visas, and in some cases, their family members or employers in the United States. We will continue to post regular updates on our website, travel.state.gov.

Q: What caused this outage? Was it a malicious action or hack?

There is no evidence the problem is cyber-security related.

Q: How long before you restore full system functionality?

Public and private sector experts are working around the clock to correct the visa problem, but we do not expect the system will be online before next week.

Overseas and domestic passports are being issued.

Q: How many travelers are affected by this outage?

Most posts were able to handle visa interviews and some visa printing as usual through the end of last week. This week, many posts have had to reschedule visa appointments. We handle an average 50,000 applications daily worldwide. Many applicants do not have immediate travel plans and will receive visas in time for planned trips. We are prioritizing urgent medical and other humanitarian cases as well as H2A agricultural workers.

Q: Once operational, how will cases be prioritized?

We are already prioritizing urgent humanitarian cases and temporary agricultural workers. Once the systems are fully operational, we will work as quickly as possible to clear the backlog of pending visa cases.

We apologize to travelers and recognize that this has caused hardship to some individuals waiting for visas.

Q: What about domestic passports?

Domestic passport operations are functioning, with some intermittent processing delays. While some of these issues have affected same-day service at our passport agencies, we continue to issue passports to U.S. citizens with urgent overseas travel needs

[New User 1000 4]

the latest:

Visa Systems Issues

• The Bureau of Consular Affairs continues to experience technical problems with our visa systems. The Consular Consolidated Database (CCD) problems we are experiencing are not the same challenges we overcame last summer.
• In addition to more than 100 computer experts across the United States working on this problem 24/7, we are pursuing a variety of solutions. Yesterday, around 250 agricultural workers who had had visas in the past were issued new visas in Mexico. We anticipate that many more will receive visas this week.
• We deeply regret the inconvenience to travelers and recognize that this is causing hardship to those waiting for visas, and in some cases, their family members or employers in the United States.

[New User 1000 4]

Hi guys,

I was reading some old post and someone was put into AP for missing document. Her status went from AP to ready. Once it was ready, it took her exactly 8 days to get to issue and she got her passport. This happened in May. I think this should give us some positive hope that we may be able to get our visa (minus the technical system issue that is currently going).

Thanks

[Idy Fdez 34]

Hi everybody!!

At least 39 consulates has been restore so far. unfortunately Canada is not one of them. but I think you will hear good news soon.

This the link to the last report from yesterday, just in case you haven't seen it:

http://travel.state.gov/…/…/technological-systems-issue.html

[Idy Fdez 34]

Hi!!! Just got this from Montreal's consulate website.

26 June 2015

Visa Update: Visa processing has resumed at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Canada. Interview appointments are now available. Some posts in Canada have openings as soon as June 26. To schedule an appointment, visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv.

For those travelers whose interviews were cancelled during the systems outage: check your email for a message with instructions to reschedule your interview, or visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv.

If you are waiting to receive your approved visa: we are currently working to eliminate the backlog of visas awaiting printing, and anticipate that we will be able to print the majority of visas by early next week. You will receive an email when your visa is ready to be picked up at the Loomis location you selected when you applied.

We deeply regret the inconvenience these technical problems have caused for travelers waiting for visas and are working hard to return to normal processing. Updates will continue to be posted here, and on the State Department website travel.state.gov.

[Texas22 50]

Hi!!! Just got this from Montreal's consulate website.

26 June 2015

Visa Update: Visa processing has resumed at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Canada. Interview appointments are now available. Some posts in Canada have openings as soon as June 26. To schedule an appointment, visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv.

For those travelers whose interviews were cancelled during the systems outage: check your email for a message with instructions to reschedule your interview, or visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv.

If you are waiting to receive your approved visa: we are currently working to eliminate the backlog of visas awaiting printing, and anticipate that we will be able to print the majority of visas by early next week. You will receive an email when your visa is ready to be picked up at the Loomis location you selected when you applied.

We deeply regret the inconvenience these technical problems have caused for travelers waiting for visas and are working hard to return to normal processing. Updates will continue to be posted here, and on the State Department website travel.state.gov.

Awesome! Good luck everyone. Hope you get your Visa's fast!

[New User 1000 4]

I had put an inquiry on June 18 to the consulate, I got a response today stating that the file is under consular review. What does this mean? On June 10, they told me that it was forwarded for review. Does anyone know how long will this take? It could be real long with the technical issue backlog.

[Aria637 0]

Any updates on monteral issuing IV?

[Aria637 0]

Any updates guys? Still waiting here

[caliboy15 1]

no update on status.. just the date itself!

[CandAm 14]

No updates and I am coming to realize that for the most part the dates can usually be traced back to dates when you inquired.

[caliboy15 1]

Finallly! after 3 weeks of waiting

[CandAm 14]

Finallly! after 3 weeks of waiting

Congratulations!!

[Idy Fdez 34]

OMG!!!!!! CandAm and Caliboy15 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited June 30, 2015 by Idy Fdez