The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is experiencing widespread technical issues with its overseas passport and visa issuance systems.  The problems have caused significant processing delays across the globe, spreading to various countries and affecting U.S. passport and visa applicants across all categories.

While officials work to correct the problem and restore full operability, responses at affected U.S. Consulates and Embassies have varied.  Some have begun notifying applicants with pending visa appointments scheduled on or after June 9, 2015 that they will be required to re-apply once the issue is resolved.  Others have promised email updates or turned away applicants after they arrive for scheduled appointments.  It is recommended that all applicants with pending overseas U.S. visa or passport applications contact their respective Consulate or Embassy and monitor related websites for updates and instructions.

Passport applicants who plan to travel within the next 10 business days may request an emergency passport at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy where they originally applied.  Officials have made no guarantees that similar emergency requests made by visa applicants will be accepted.