State Dept. Reports Visa, Passport System Errors

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs reported on June 12, 2015, technical problems with overseas passport and visa systems. The issue was not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category.

The Bureau reported that it was “working urgently to correct the problems” in the Consular Consolidated Database (CCD) “and restore our system to full operational status as soon as possible.” Some applicants experienced delays or were unable to obtain passports overseas, consular reports of birth abroad, or U.S. visas. Domestic passport issuances were not affected, the agency said, adding that “[w]e are able to issue emergency passports to U.S. citizens overseas for urgent travel.”

The Bureau also said it was seeking to assist nonimmigrant visa applicants with urgent humanitarian travel. Travelers with an urgent humanitarian need for travel should contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, the agency said. Pending overseas adoption cases, including in China, were being prioritized

The Bureau said it would post updates to http://travel.state.gov as more information becomes available.