Computer Glitch Causes Delay in Overseas Passports
WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) — The U.S. State Department is experiencing a technical problem causing a delay in the issuance of passports and visas from overseas locations, officials said Friday.
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The department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is having an issue with its Consular Consolidated Databases. It’s preventing the processing of passports and visas that were applied for at locations outside the United States.
The problem only affects applications submitted on or after May 26, 2015.
“We are working urgently to correct the problems and restore our system to full operational status as soon as possible,” the State Department said on its website.
“We apologize to applicants who are experiencing delays or are unable to obtain a passport overseas, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or U.S. visa at this time. Domestic passport issuances are not affected at this time. We are able to issue emergency passports to U.S. citizens overseas for urgent travel,” the statement said.
Officials urged anyone who must travel within the next 10 days to apply for an emergency passport. Those with an urgent humanitarian need for travel were also encouraged to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
“We are aware of pending overseas adoption cases, including in China. We are prioritizing these cases and seek to issue these visas with few delays,” the statement said.
