Dubai: Operations are now back to normal in US missions in the UAE and around the world following the technical glitch that caused major delays in visa and passport issuance for three weeks.
Specialists worked round-the-clock for weeks to fix a hardware failure that caused the technical glitch that affected applications after June 8.
According to the official statement of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs on Friday, “All visa-issuing embassies and consulates are now back online. We are scheduling visa interviews and issuing non-immigrant and immigrant visas.”
“We deeply regret the inconvenience to travellers who are waiting for visas, as well as their families and US businesses that have been affected,” the statement read.
A statement from the US consulate in Dubai said applicants whose visa applications were approved following the required interview must send their passport for the visa sticker via Empost.
If their travel is urgent, they should drop off their passports in person at the embassy on any working day between 1pm and 2pm or at the consulate between 2pm and 3pm. No appointment is necessary.
Those whose interviews were cancelled due to the system problems have been asked to reschedule their interview appointment. Additional slots will be opened as soon as possible.
“We ask for your continued patience as we try to accommodate all travellers,” the statement read.
For more information, the embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate-general in Dubai can be reached by calling the contact centre at 04-376-8311 or log on to https://usvisa-info.com/ for more details.
