State Department postpones system maintenance affecting consular services

The State Department said Friday that plans to upgrade its computer systems this weekend have been postponed. The scheduled maintenance had prompted embassies and consulates around the world to cancel visa appointments scheduled for today or Monday.

“The planned upgrade has been postponed and will be rescheduled,” a U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs spokesman said in an email Friday morning.

As of late Friday afternoon, some U.S. embassies had removed notices that they would be closed or would offer limited services today through Monday. Others indicated that they would remain closed.

It is not the first time in recent months that foreign nationals have had to postpone plans to obtain U.S. visas: In June, U.S. embassies and consulates were left unable to issue visas for nearly two weeks when a computer problem crippled biometric data processing.

BAL Analysis: Anyone in need of visas or other services at U.S. diplomatic posts abroad should be sure to check with the appropriate embassy or consulate about what services will be available Monday. While the planned system maintenance has been postponed, services may still be limited. BAL will notify clients when it receives information about the State Department’s plans for rescheduling its system maintenance.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.