US visa system crashes

The news that the “US visa system crashes” has caused a lot of impact on tourists who are on a U.S. visa and plan to travel to the United States during the summer holiday season. The reporter learned yesterday from Ctrip, Guangzhi Travel, and China National Travel Service Guangdong Branch that when the U.S. visa system was officially resumed, it still did not receive official notice.

According to the official website of the US State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, due to the breakdown of a State Department’s computer system, the global database for the issuance of passports and visas by US embassies and consulates collapsed. The issue is global, and the affected applicants are regardless of nationality, region or visa type.

Yesterday, it was reported that the visa system of the US embassy in China had been resumed. However, the person in charge of the visa for Ctrip told reporters that they had already been concerned about the news. However, calling the head of the visa department of the US embassy in China still needed patience. "As of noon on July 28, the U.S. visa system is still in a state of collapse, and Ctrip and the U.S. Visa Center verified that the specific repair time cannot be confirmed."

The reporter called a number of travel agencies yesterday and learned that as of 6 pm yesterday, there was still no official news of the restoration visa. Ctrip said that it will pay close attention to the U.S. visa system. Before the system was restored, the U.S. single-issue visa product was sent offline. For travelers who have already sent visas, Ctrip has also been notified by phone or text message to remind guests to track visa status in a timely manner and consider whether to postpone travel according to specific conditions.

Summer is the peak season for American tourism. Ctrip said that in July the number of signing applications in the United States rose by more than 300% year-on-year. It is expected that this system problem will affect nearly 1,000 guests.

“For summer vacations, guests generally book in advance for a long time. The procedures for the recent departure of team visas are already well established. Therefore, the number of guests who booked Ctrip’s US travel products due to the breakdown of the visa system is not much.” Ctrip Travel Business The person in charge told the reporter, “For a small number of delays in the travel itinerary due to visa processing, it will coordinate aviation and hotel resources, arrange for guests to postpone travel and minimize guest losses.”

The reporter also learned from Canton Brigade that the travel agency had learned about the concentration of the number of summer visas, and constantly reminded registered visitors to submit materials as soon as possible, so it did not have much impact on the team.

According to data from China National Tourism Corporation Guangdong, the current US visa system is not functioning properly and has affected hundreds of visitors to the agency over the past week.

It is recommended to apply for a visa one and a half months in advance

It is understood that the current appointment of Canton Travel Group visas for tourists to the United States is still normal, Guangzhi Travel has not yet received the consular mail or telephone notice of visa extension.

According to the introduction of China National Tourism Corporation Guangdong, the agency is currently actively seeking for visas for US visa applicants to make appointments for the first time. At present, US visas are normally scheduled. For example, appointments made on July 28 can be reserved for interviews on August 4th, but whether they are on schedule Interviews can only be confirmed on the day of arrival at the Consulate. If the interview cannot be conducted as planned, the Consulate will give the interviewer a copy of the proof of the change. The appointment may be exempted from appointments within the prescribed time.

In addition, applicants who have passed the interview may have delayed the return of passports due to system problems. China National Tourism Guangdong Company recommends that on the one hand, the sooner visitors apply for a visa, the better the travel plans will be set. At least one and a half months in advance, the appointment will be made at least three weeks in advance. On the other hand, the appointment has been successful but has not yet been interviewed or has been successfully interviewed. Visitors who have not returned their passports and are eager to travel are advised to make timely adjustments to the revised plan.