{"416571":{"#nid":"416571","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Department of State Announces Visa Issuance Delays","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of State has issued updates regarding the following:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENonimmigrant Visa Applicants:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003Ethe DOS is unable to print most nonimmigrant visas approved after June 8, 2015. Further, the DOS is currently unable to process DS-160 online applications submitted on or after June 9, 2015. They recommend that if you completed and submitted Form\u0026nbsp;DS-160 on or after June 9, 2015, you continue to monitor the DOS website and only attend the appointment if the situation has been resolved. However, if you submitted your DS-160 online application prior to June 9, 2015, you should plan to attend their scheduled appointment.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EImmigrant Visa Applications:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003Ethe DOS is still currently unable to print most immigrant visas, including fianc\u00e9(e) visas, approved after June 8, 2015. Additionally, they are aware that some applicants continue to experience technical difficulties accessing Form DS-260.\u0026nbsp; The issues are intermittent, \u0026nbsp;therefore DOS \u0026nbsp;suggests that you return to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceac.state.gov\/IV\/Default.aspx%20\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EConsular Electronic Application Center\u003C\/a\u003E periodically to try to complete Form DS-260.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs is apologetic and recognizes the hardship the technical issues this has created, they stress that border security is their main concern and they cannot circumvent any legal requirements to screen applicants prior to issuing visas for travel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of State is working urgently to restore full functionality, but there is no definite timeline of when these issues will be resolved and unfortunately \u0022service to customers will be interrupted until the system is brought back online.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022x_MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWe hope that our students and scholars will not be affected by this slowdown. However, if you will not arrive in Atlanta by your intended arrival date, please take the following steps:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul type=\u0022disc\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022x_MsoNormal\u0022\u003ENew students beginning fall 2015: Graduate students should work with their graduate coordinator, who will notify OIE that your visa issuance is delayed.\u0026nbsp;Undergraduate\u0026nbsp;students should email\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:info@oie.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Einfo@oie.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022x_MsoNormal\u0022\u003EReturning students: Please email\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:info@oie.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Einfo@oie.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;if you will not be able to return for fall 2015 semester.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022x_MsoNormal\u0022\u003EScholars: Please work with your department\u0027s human resources administrator, who will notify OIE that your visa issuance is delayed.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022x_MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAdditional updates will be made as OIE receives them. Last updated\u0026nbsp;06\/17\/2015.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Delays in visa and passport systems"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOn 06\/17\/2015, the Department of State issued important updates\u0026nbsp;regarding visa applicants.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"It was announced on 6\/15\/15 that the DOS is experiencing technical problems."}],"uid":"27752","created_gmt":"2015-06-18 14:56:20","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:18:41","author":"Maggie Miller","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2015-06-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2015-06-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1297","name":"Office of International Education"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"129401","name":"Department of State"},{"id":"3817","name":"immigration"},{"id":"7413","name":"passport"},{"id":"98791","name":"U.S. visa"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@oie.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}