JUNE 2015 SUPPORT AND RANT THREAD join us :)

[Maharosa 251]

More than 100 computer experts... Wow! I feel so reassured they are doing their best to resolve the issue! Seriously?! One would think the federal government would have more people than that working on this issue. I'm pretty sure the State of Minnesota has more IT people than that. Heck, I think the state department I work for has at least 100 IT people and I guarantee they wouldn't be allowed to sleep until the issue is resolved.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Sorry if this is all jumbled, I'm on my tablet. Anyway, here's the latest update... so depressing!

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.

WOW, I don't believe a word they say I just don't trust them as far as I can throw them and 100 computer experts! I don't think so, I think they are using their elementary school kids to work on it.

The great and most important news is you have your Visa thank God and I'll be praying this get's fixed very soon. If it's not one thing it's another.

More than 100 computer experts... Wow! I feel so reassured they are doing their best to resolve the issue! Seriously?! One would think the federal government would have more people than that working on this issue. I'm pretty sure the State of Minnesota has more IT people than that. Heck, I think the state department I work for has at least 100 IT people and I guarantee they wouldn't be allowed to sleep until the issue is resolved.

Hahahahaaa love the way you put it and EXACTLY!!! You just have to wonder what they're up to if you get my drift.

[subz1987 6]

Ah, the rant thread. Guess how I should rant about how I endured a long and difficult process only for this stupid issue to pop up right at the finish line. And about how incompetent my government is when it comes to technology. Or how any major company would not have tolerated a major system being down for two weeks blocking them from providing a service essential to their mission, yet the US government is allowing this to happen.

I was banking everything on my wife being here soon to be able to attend my cousin's wedding at the end of July, and if that ends up being in jeopardy then... I have a few choice words for how incompetent my government is.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Ah, the rant thread. Guess how I should rant about how I endured a long and difficult process only for this stupid issue to pop up right at the finish line. And about how incompetent my government is when it comes to technology. Or how any major company would not have tolerated a major system being down for two weeks blocking them from providing a service essential to their mission, yet the US government is allowing this to happen.

I was banking everything on my wife being here soon to be able to attend my cousin's wedding at the end of July, and if that ends up being in jeopardy then... I have a few choice words for how incompetent my government is.

So sorry your going through this but I'm praying this will be fixed soon for all of you. I think your wife will be home for your cousin's wedding since we are still in June. I think it's very doable but will be praying just in case.

You just have to wonder sometimes about their total incompetentce, I think they do it just to mess with us but then they have made me paranoid!

[Maharosa 251]

I feel like I am slipping into a state of depression I have never experienced before. I'm really struggling to cope right now.

[TwoChickies 105]

Just wanted to check in with you guys and see how things were going. I'm glad to see some really good things have been happening for lots of you, and I'm of course terribly sorry for yet more setbacks that have occurred.

I think of you all often and really wish the best.

Maharosa, I'm so happy you got an approval and I'm so sorry the visa isn't ready yet. That has to be an awful feeling---to be approved and done but not quite there yet. Keep holding on, you ARE done with great news, it's just waiting for that finish line and then it's all over.

Soloenta how long are you visiting your husband? I'm so so so happy for you.

Natasha and Noor, I really hope the update you saw a few days ago brings good news!! And what an amazing choice to make to get your degree. Of course he's proud of you, that's incredible!

For everyone:

Edited June 20, 2015 by TwoChickies

[Soloenta 2,218]

This is my 2nd Ramadan, so I'm particularly joyful observing this Holy Month. I severely miss my husband, tho. I pray the state dept. fixes their CCD soon, and give us all waiting in their supposed AP/other "holds" our visas soon. Course this is my constant prayer. So happy for those of you who can be with your spouses now. Blessings to us all enduring this horrible immigration process...for happy marriages during this difficult time of waiting...may Allah have mercy on us, and grant us patience within our sorrow.

Happy Ramadan to you and your family and all Muslims, I pray God grant us our prayers soon.

Your words are so beautiful, I hope and pray everyone reads them. God be with us all.

I feel like I am slipping into a state of depression I have never experienced before. I'm really struggling to cope right now.

Oh sweet heart I know how you feel but you have your Visa it's just a matter of having it printed out and God willing that will happen this coming week or two at the most. Hang in there focus on your Visa it's yours!!!! You are so very blessed my dearest have faith. I know it's easier said then done and I know you wont feel safe until your husband has the Visa in hand and walks out to your arms in the USA.

Just wanted to check in with you guys and see how things were going. I'm glad to see some really good things have been happening for lots of you, and I'm of course terribly sorry for yet more setbacks that have occurred.

I think of you all often and really wish the best.

Maharosa, I'm so happy you got an approval and I'm so sorry the visa isn't ready yet. That has to be an awful feeling---to be approved and done but not quite there yet. Keep holding on, you ARE done with great news, it's just waiting for that finish line and then it's all over.

Soloenta how long are you visiting your husband? I'm so so so happy for you.

Natasha and Noor, I really hope the update you saw a few days ago brings good news!! And what an amazing choice to make to get your degree. Of course he's proud of you, that's incredible!

For everyone:

TwoChikieeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss, Let me just say I always feel great when I see you and those who are done with the process come back to say hello. I know the urge to want to forget this horror so it makes your visit that more special to think that you have taken the time and effort to come and check up on us. Thank you my dear friend and I love you even more because of this.

I arrived in Egypt on the 14 Th of May and leave on the 14 Th of July, seems I've been here for only a few days. I used to not sleep at all or very little usualy 2/3 hours a night but now I sleep all night and am rested when I wake up. My husband the same but he is on the Printing house time so he goes to bed late but at least he gets 8/9 hours sleep which is not usual for him. He is starting to look healthy like he used to again. He does have more gray hair hahahaa but on him, well it looks so good. .

Thank you again my angel for thinking of all of us and coming back to say hello, may God bless you with all your dreams coming true. ..............

[Soloenta 2,218]

I used to love weekends now I hate them, what an odd feeling when once it brought with it such joy.

[Soloenta 2,218]

US immigration, you should be ashamed of yourselves for what your doing to loving families.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh! Sorry I'm furious today for the time lost thanks to these monsters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BRosa 170]

I am sorry for everyone waiting for their visa to be printed. I hope it happens very soon.

Maharosa, your husband will be home in a matter of days. dont worry. think how close you are now, closer than ever!

[BRosa 170]

My VJ friends, I wanted to share with you that my attorney was able to clear things about my husband's previous visits to usa and now I just wait for another interview from the embassy. YEPEEE!!!

thank you HEAVENLY FATHER for listening to my prayers!

I just hope this issue About printing the visa gets cleared.

[Soloenta 2,218]

My VJ friends, I wanted to share with you that my attorney was able to clear things about my husband's previous visits to usa and now I just wait for another interview from the embassy. YEPEEE!!!

thank you HEAVENLY FATHER for listening to my prayers!

I just hope this issue About printing the visa gets cleared.

Oh thank God in heaven so happy for you and your husband and your great lawyer, what wonderful news.

Will be praying all goes well and you get your well deserved Visa. God willing this problem will end soon.

[Teamsami 27]

hey guys,

they updated it finally yesterday, hopefully this is good news for all of us.

now it says :--

Q: How long before you restore full system functionality?

• Public and private sector experts are making progress in correcting the visa problem, and we are striving to have the system fully reconnected sometime this week.
• As of noon today, 22 posts have been reconnected, representing about half of the global nonimmigrant visa volume. All our servers appear to be stable. There is a large backlog of cases to clear, but we have already made good progress. We will continue to bring additional posts online until connectivity with all posts is restored.
• Overseas and domestic passports are being issued.

[Soloenta 2,218]

hey guys,

they updated it finally yesterday, hopefully this is good news for all of us.

now it says :--

Q: How long before you restore full system functionality?

• Public and private sector experts are making progress in correcting the visa problem, and we are striving to have the system fully reconnected sometime this week.
• As of noon today, 22 posts have been reconnected, representing about half of the global nonimmigrant visa volume. All our servers appear to be stable. There is a large backlog of cases to clear, but we have already made good progress. We will continue to bring additional posts online until connectivity with all posts is restored.
• Overseas and domestic passports are being issued.

Oh thank you so much for the great information praying Maharosa, Natasha and all the rest waiting for their Visa are next if not already on the way. Woooo hoooooooo Thank you God!!!!

Thank you so much TeamSami how very kind of you.

[Teamsami 27]

Oh thank you so much for the great information praying Maharosa, Natasha and all the rest waiting for their Visa are next if not already on the way. Woooo hoooooooo Thank you God!!!!

Thank you so much TeamSami how very kind of you.

you are most welcome, we also waiting for our own we had our approval last Wednesday, so hopefully soon everyone is getting there visas

and we pray for you soloenta, you and your husband shall survive this together