US Pauses Visa Processing for 75 Countries, Including Pakistan and Bangladesh
The United States has temporarily halted visa processing for applicants from 75 nations, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, due to a major technical system failure. The suspension, confirmed by the US embassy in Pakistan, affects thousands of travellers and adds to existing pandemic-related backlogs.
Key Takeaways
- The US State Department’s visa systems are down due to a technical glitch.
- Processing is suspended in 75 countries, with Pakistan and Bangladesh confirmed.
- Thousands of applicants for tourism, business, and education are impacted.
- No timeline has been given for when services will resume.
What Happened?
The US State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is experiencing technical issues with its visa systems. This has forced a complete pause in visa processing for the affected countries. The US embassy in Pakistan has acknowledged the problem and stated it is working on a resolution.
Impact on Applicants
The suspension is expected to disrupt the travel plans of thousands of individuals from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Applicants for various visa categories—including business, tourism, and student visas—will face indefinite delays. The US State Department has advised applicants to monitor embassy websites for updates.
Compounding Existing Delays
This technical failure comes at a difficult time. The US visa system was already struggling with a significant backlog caused by the closure of embassies and consulates during the . The new glitch further complicates efforts to clear that backlog.
Economic and Travel Fallout
The halt is likely to have a wider impact. It could affect the US economy by delaying business travel and tourism from the affected nations. The State Department has not released the full list of 75 countries impacted but confirms the issue is widespread.
What Should Applicants Do?
Authorities have urged affected applicants to remain patient. The only current course of action is to wait for official updates from the local US embassy or consulate. No timeline has been provided for when normal visa processing will restart.
