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

[mstgrv 0]

I'm in Australia, stuck waiting for my passport to be returned to me with my work visa inside, and my flight is tomorrow morning, so I'm stressing out in a big way...

An immigration lawyer suggested this possible scenario: I request my passport back without the visa, I print out all the documents pertaining to the visa application (i.e. everything I brought to the interview), plus I'll have my previous visa (which only expired recently) of the same class which is still in my passport, plus letters from the various employers I'm going to be working for in the US pleading my case about how they'll be losing income if I'm not allowed entry... and basically, armed with all these documents, I should apply for an I-193 waiver when I land and argue that the glitch put me in such a position that there was no alternative. The idea is to present a situation where my work visa was on track to be accepted but was held up purely because of the glitch, and there's no reason why I should be denied entry.

It's been explained to me as a "roll of the dice" because there's no assurance it'll work, but it's an option that was presented... what does everyone think?

[AmAjjD 33]

Like the lawyer said, it's a roll of the dice. If the lawyer thinks it could work it's worth a shot? I'd just bring every bit of evidence with you to prove your visa is approved if you do decide to go. Otherwise if you have the insurance on the flight and can afford it try delaying it a bit?

[jlsuther82 0]

Our interview was on the 14th, approved with no issues. Our CEAC status was updated on the 15th, to Ready. After two weeks with no further updates, I managed to get back into the embassy and get a direct and personal email from embassy staff confirming that our case was in fact approved but waiting on their systems to be fully restored. They mentioned that most services for US citizens were up and running already (as of Friday the 25). Later that afternoon, I got a post-dated CEAC update, still ready but now dated July 24th and still asking is to wait two business days. Then just this morning, another update date of July 30th, still just Ready, and still asking for two more days. I really don't understand how some of us have waited without real explanation for so long, but others who have been interviewed after us have already received their visas? How did they escape the great glitch of '14? Has any else impacted by the delay seen any progress yet showing signs of pending dislodge?

[Maritah 101]

Sorry say this but honestly I dont think this gonna work. As far I know COs from POE usually only are interested in see the visa and your passport and no explanation gonna work for them (even If its a glitch in the internal system) If you dont have the document in hand.

Anyway, I wish you good luck If you try it.

Regards.

[Panda79 0]

Do let us know if you do try to enter with your old visa. I'm in the same boat but stuck in London. Think it might be safer to wait and hopefully your employer will understand. I hope mine will considering it was an unforeseen situation.

[NickB 3]

Our interview was on the 14th, approved with no issues. Our CEAC status was updated on the 15th, to Ready. After two weeks with no further updates, I managed to get back into the embassy and get a direct and personal email from embassy staff confirming that our case was in fact approved but waiting on their systems to be fully restored. They mentioned that most services for US citizens were up and running already (as of Friday the 25). Later that afternoon, I got a post-dated CEAC update, still ready but now dated July 24th and still asking is to wait two business days. Then just this morning, another update date of July 30th, still just Ready, and still asking for two more days. I really don't understand how some of us have waited without real explanation for so long, but others who have been interviewed after us have already received their visas? How did they escape the great glitch of '14? Has any else impacted by the delay seen any progress yet showing signs of pending dislodge?

My CEAC status says ready, but also that I need to schedule an interview (i was approved at interview on Jul 23rd.) This contradictory message only confuses things. It seems that CEAC status is not that reliable during the glitch.

I am interested to hear that people are still getting visas during the glitch. Are these immigrant visas do you know? Were they expedited?

[AmAjjD 33]

I think the visa issuing depends on where you are. From the sounds of it, some countries were hit much harder than others and I'm sure some countries have more visas to issue than others. Do you know in which countries people have gotten their visas already? The embassy certainly isn't going to tell us anything but maybe we can keep tabs on who is getting or not getting what, and which countries seem to be struggling

[jlsuther82 0]

My CEAC status says ready, but also that I need to schedule an interview (i was approved at interview on Jul 23rd.) This contradictory message only confuses things. It seems that CEAC status is not that reliable during the glitch.

I am interested to hear that people are still getting visas during the glitch. Are these immigrant visas do you know? Were they expedited?

our status changed to ISSUED this afternoon. Those who got their visas before us are for k1 and cr1.

[NickB 3]

our status changed to ISSUED this afternoon. Those who got their visas before us are for k1 and cr1.

This is great news and gives us some solid evidence that things are moving. Hope your visa arrives quickly!

[r060106 109]

This is great news and gives us some solid evidence that things are moving. Hope your visa arrives quickly!

Let's hope it's a trend, but I'll believe it when I see it. Just too cynical with this process.

[NickB 3]

I think the visa issuing depends on where you are. From the sounds of it, some countries were hit much harder than others and I'm sure some countries have more visas to issue than others. Do you know in which countries people have gotten their visas already? The embassy certainly isn't going to tell us anything but maybe we can keep tabs on who is getting or not getting what, and which countries seem to be struggling

Hi AmAjiD, I see you are from the UK too. Are you at the post-interview stage too?

I agree, would be very useful to know who's getting what and where. At least we can see a little movement today so hopefully this won't be another marathon for any of us.

[bdrew612 1,071]

Hi AmAjiD, I see you are from the UK too. Are you at the post-interview stage too?

I agree, would be very useful to know who's getting what and where. At least we can see a little movement today so hopefully this won't be another marathon for any of us.

Have you contacted the Embassy? What does the last status update date show? Since you applied for an immigrant visa, yous is supposed to be priority.... My husband's is next week, I'm nervous!

[AmAjjD 33]

Have you contacted the Embassy? What does the last status update date show? Since you applied for an immigrant visa, yous is supposed to be priority.... My husband's is next week, I'm nervous!

We've contacted the embassy multiple times and have yet to get a response other than the generic email stating there is a backlog. Our status changed a bit. The creation date was originally in February and it just got bumped up to today's date. The status update date has been changing daily since the 27th. We are still stuck on "Ready" however our message is now this

"Your case is open and ready for your interview, fingerprints, and required documents. If you have already had your interview, please check your status after two business days. If no interview was required, please check back in two business days for the status of your application."

And yes, NickB we are at the post-interview stage now, but only by a week. However some from the London Embassy have seen AP and Issued updates and their interviews were only 2-3 business days ahead of ours. We have contacted our local senators in the States and they are helping us escalate the case so I would encourage you all to get in contact with your State Senators. They have successfully located our K1 visa case and are helping to escalate and take care of it. I can't say it will work, and I can't even say everyone will get a response, but I do know that the senators in the US are unhappy and have heard about this mess! It is worth a shot. I will let you all know if it works for us.

[NickB 3]

Have you contacted the Embassy? What does the last status update date show? Since you applied for an immigrant visa, yous is supposed to be priority.... My husband's is next week, I'm nervous!

I e-mailed the embassy yesterday. No response yet.

My ceac staus is currently 'Ready' with the following message;

Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have been notified of your interview appointment. Additional information about how Immigrant Visa interview appointments are scheduled can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html

This is strange cos I had the interview on the 23rd. I guess this means that my interview result hasn't been entered onto the system yet.

Did anyone else get this message post-interview?

Yes, immigrant visas are supposed to be a priority though it looks like they are moving slowly right now. Hang in there!

[AmAjjD 33]

NickB, we did receive that message at first. Today ours got updated to a slightly different message with a new creation date, but still stuck on "Ready". Our interview was the day before yours, so if things are progressing at a steady pace, you should have a new creation date and a slightly different message in a few days. I cannot guarantee it though, I'm just going off what I gathered from previous posts. From then it should (relatively) quickly change to AP and then to Issued. But again, that's only what I gathered from other posts, and should be taken with a grain of salt.