If you have been trying to use the online non-immigrant /
DS-160 visa application system of the U.S. Department of State, https://ceac.state.gov/genniv, please be aware
that the system has had major problems ever since June 8, 2013. At that time,
according to the web site, the system had been scheduled for maintenance. Furthermore,
the web site said that responses that were saved to the site prior to the
maintenance activity might not be available after that activity was finished,
and that users should consider saving their responses as well to their own
computer.
As late as 11:05 pm on Monday, June 10, 2013, the system
STILL has problems. In particular, a person is UNABLE either to “start and
application” or to “upload an application” (that is, to restore, from a backup
file on the person’s own computer, responses that previously had been saved). If you visit the site ceac.state.gov, and
select the link for DS-160, you will see, on the next screen, the these two
options are non-hyperlinked. Rather, the only option that can be selected is
the one for “retrieve an application.”
I urge caution if you choose this last option, that is,
if you are planning to retrieve responses that you previously saved to the web
site. A client tried to do so on Sunday, June 9, but found that many of her
responses had been lost. If you try the same action, you may find yourself in a
similar situation.
I have serious concerns about how the State Department
handled this maintenance activity, in particular their apparent inability to
backup the system properly and to restore it again. I do hope the system will
be fully operational soon. I have reported this situation to a contact of mine,
who in turn has reported it to the Department of State.
Remember that even if you are represented by an attorney in
your non-immigrant visa application process, you yourself (not the attorney) must
be the person who electronically signs and submits your DS-160.
I can be reached at csun@calvinsun.com,
610-296-3947. This blog post does not constitute legal advice.
still with problems ? 11/06/2013 ?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to fill in the form myself and I'm having issues with the form timing out almost instantly.
ReplyDeleteguess am better off using it once the issue is fixed. If the information is getting lost then it would be such a waste of time and effort. Thanks for the update big time. I am currently trying for US visa under the Business Immigration Program.
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ReplyDeleteI found this site via google. I am currently trying to start my DS 160 application, but the same issue shows up on my screen. I cant retrieve an existing session, but also not able to start a new application either.
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