Not Good news "Glitch crashes global US passport, Visa operations"

[DSB 1]

Those glitches must have been going on for a few weeks. Someone on here had their interview in London about a couple weeks ago but the CEAC site didn't show an update for more than a week. So he/she contacted them and they already said they had heavy problems with the system. If I remember it right he/she got their visa by now though.

I had my interview yesterday and this morning ceac showed that our case was update the day before the interview. So I guess there is a backlog but it's probably not too huge.

[HettyandSaid 18]

At this point. Nothing surprises me. Just when I think we are finally getting somewhere... BOOM. Something else happens. Trying to stay positive!! It has been a long journey so far...

[RobbieG 94]

The Associated Press and Reuters, etc. sell news stories to outlets that subscribe to their services like anything else in a free market economy.

You don't think Kroger's grows their own oranges, do you? No, they buy it from a service. Oranges at Kroger can be the exact same as the ones at Albertsons.

The news stories can be the same word for word because they were purchased.

Having cleared that up, I hope the glitch is repaired quickly for all of those in this community affected.

[Chia&sean 17]

Someone on the august interview thread posted screen shots form the us department of state consular affairs Facebook page where they confirm the problem

[bluebird74 34]

May I ask where you read the above ?

10 days post approval, Oy!

I didn't read this anywhere. I simply think this is how people will be affected by this - including my wife.

[Lena&Islam 9]

Oh great! More waiting just when we were so close! Our interview appoint is on 7th of August! He doesn't even know this news yet...just had his medical exam today.

[Sweetmelissa 82]

Those glitches must have been going on for a few weeks. Someone on here had their interview in London about a couple weeks ago but the CEAC site didn't show an update for more than a week. So he/she contacted them and they already said they had heavy problems with the system. If I remember it right he/she got their visa by now though.

I had my interview yesterday and this morning ceac showed that our case was update the day before the interview. So I guess there is a backlog but it's probably not too huge.

Yes this also happened to me at Vancouver consulate a few weeks ago. My interview was July 10th and it took an extra week for my visa to get issued and printed because of a worldwide computer issue that happened July 11th. It that has since been fixed, my visa has been issued and recieved. Makes me wonder if this is another/different issue, or media getting wind of a problem from a few weeks ago.

The email I received from the consulate dated July 18th:

There was a delay in the processing of your K-1 visa because late last week there was a severe worldwide computer issue and our systems were down. Once the system came back up on Monday, it basically took time to catch up on all the cases that were affected by this computer problem. We have since issued your visa, your package is being shipped to Loomis this afternoon. Please wait for Loomis to contact you by email to advise you when to pick up your package at the Loomis location you selected.

[bdrew612 1,071]

So I just looked this up and I feel like I'm losing my mind because EVERY single news source that reported this has the same EXACT story, word for word. It's like it was just copied and pasted numerous times. I find that EXTREMELY strange.

I also didn't see this in NY Times or CNN, ie the bigger more reputable sources. I don't go to Fox news. I don't mean to spread conspiracy theories here but is it possible this is just a BS excuse for all the delays?

Here's what I find even more bizarre, the Department of State announced this via Facebook post and not on their official web site. If it's on there, it's certainly not on their home page.

I just started watching the daily press briefing, they're talking about the cease-fire in Israel. If anyne caught the first 15 minutes, did they even mention the computer crash?

[Sweetmelissa 82]

They're making a mountain out of a mole hill. Databases crash regularly in the IT world and while they cause a delay its not a permanent thing. If the crash was so catastrophic that it lasted weeks or months...we'd have a much bigger problem. Heads would roll somewhere.

Agreed. And every single article is word for word identical. Prob someone who works in immigration told a story to Fox news and they wrote it up in the usual fashion- in such a way that the only conclusion to draw is that the world is ending. I suspect its the same computer issue that happened a few weeks ago and media just got light of it. But who knows.

I do agree with the whole mountain out of a mole hill sentiment.

[Maritah 77]

I think that the only thing that they can do its fix the glitch as soon as possible, and they must be working in it, because being a worldwide problem, I guess the last thing that they want its more paperwork acumulated. Im not capable to think in a conspiracy theory about an tech issue that will be fixed sooner or later.

I know the waiting its difficult because im in the same situation, but I suggest to everyone take a deep breath and keep strong. Get panic and overwhelmed for something that its not possible to control, only affects us in a negative way. Lets hope the best.

Best regards.

Edited July 24, 2014 by M@rita

[Sweetmelissa 82]

Yeah I really don't expect this to last more than a few days - computer systems crash all time, and this one is neither different nor invulnerable. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it is just the media getting wind of the "worldwide system crash" from a week ago, which has since been fixed. I don't dispute the validity of the article, but the fact that every single one is the same most likely means its not a big enough of an issue to investigate further.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Sweetmelissa

[bdrew612 1,071]

Yeah I really don't expect this to last more than a few days - computer systems crash all time, and this one is neither different nor invulnerable. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it is just the media getting wind of the "worldwide system crash" from a week ago, which has since been fixed. I don't dispute the validity of the article, but the fact that every single one is the same most likely means its not a big enough of an issue to investigate further.

The I-130 was taking an average of 13 months to approve in 2013 and the media didn't deem that a big enough issue to investigate, either. Doesn't mean it's right. With this crash it means more delays, and just another backlog in this seemingly never-ending nightmare.

[Sweetmelissa 82]

The I-130 was taking an average of 13 months to approve in 2013 and the media didn't deem that a big enough issue to investigate, either. Doesn't mean it's right. With this crash it means more delays, and just another backlog in this seemingly never-ending nightmare.

Well I would assume the general public is most likely disinterested in marriage visas, with the exception of those who are impacted directly. Doesn't mean its right, its just the reality of the situation.

The outage affects all types- student, work, tourist- which has potential to impact many sectors, financially and otherwise. Marriage / fiance visas make up a relatively small part of that pie.

Not saying that more delays are right and happy and deserved, because yes it will cause delays and they are annoying. It delayed my visa being issued too, by almost a week.

[Lynn n Sam 57]

A friend of mine just applied for her passport yesterday. Upon hearing the news today, she called the DOS to try and get information and she said the woman was pretty much rude to her and she asked her why she was being very evasive about what's going on, given the news reports. The DOS woman stated that she wasn't being evasive and "looking at and currently processing passports". When my friend asked about the glitch being reported she was given what she thought was typical DOS rhetoric of "WE ARE PROCESSING EVERYTHING TODAY AND ARE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE"

So, who knows what is going on? Someone's not telling the truth...

[jan22 2,898]

That explains why it is taking 5 months to get a Case Complete at the NVC. The NVC is the Dept. of State. Their computer systems all tie in together. SOOOOOO DISGUSTING

Has nothing to do with NVC. They don't use the same software program that is used to process and print the visas.