The government receives some 50,000 visa applications a day but has been unable to process them due to a problem in the database storing visa biometric data on June 9. Originally the problem affected all consulate posts globally however the latest Department of State figures say nearly three-quarters of posts are now issuing visas.

“The problem involved a database responsible for, among other things, storing visa biometric data, which suffered hardware failures,” John Taylor, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Consular Affairs told The PIE News.

“While switching to the back-up system, we discovered that the data was damaged and unusable.  We have been working to compile a complete data set, which is now being tested so we can bring the system fully back online as soon as possible.”

“If there was a time when we didn’t need more challenges for entrance into the US, and especially during peak season, this is the one”

IEP providers meanwhile have been hit during their summer peak and are concerned that students will not be able to attend short-term courses.

“This year is bad for the US because of the value of the dollar and the downturn in international markets already so it feels like they’re kind of kicking us while we’re down,” said Eimear Harrison Executive Vice President at Rennert International in New York City.

“If there was a time when we didn’t need more challenges for entrance into the US, and especially during peak season, this is the one.

“Our main concern is that this year, many of our markets have put off their decision to travel until last minute and that’s more of a trend for summer travel these days,” she continued.

“This really puts a spanner in the works for us because not only have we had cancellations but for students who have have prepaid accommodation, we obviously can’t charge our partners for something that isn’t their fault so we have to wear the expense.”

Jack Sullivan Director of Programs at the University of Pennsylvania English Language Programs and immediate past vice-president for advocacy at English USA said some providers are struggling with delays for short-programmes.

“Any delays in a four week programme are felt harder than in seven or twelve week programmes,” he said.

“It’s not reasonable to push it back a month, it’s a question of having to cancel the whole booking”

He added that the problem is made more complex as providers carry out orientations for each programme.

“It just is one more thing that they would prefer not to have to think about. The fact that the system is getting back up to speed is good news for everyone.”

At U Penn, Sullivan said they have had seven late arrivals so far this week due to the situation.

Noel Radcliffe-Marrs, principal at OISE in Boston, said there is little flexibility for start dates.

“They’ve only got a set amount of time because of school holidays. So it’s not reasonable to push it back a month, it’s a question of having to cancel the whole booking,” he said.

My fear is that, because of any hiccup in the system, agents are just going to be recommending to their clientele that they not to go to the USA

OISE has had four cancellations so far. “It’s not a huge amount, but it’s enough to make an impact because these are quite big courses,” said Radcliffe-Marrs.

Providers are also uneasy about negative long term effects the situation could have, or general confidence in the US visa system.

“My fear is that, because of any hiccup in the system, agents are just going to be recommending to their clientele, even for long-term study starting later in the year, August or September, that they not to go to the USA,” said Harrision.

Last year, 640,000 F and M study visas were processed. According to the government, the overseas posts have issued more than 150,000 non-immigrant visas since the system problems began.

However, had the system been operating normally, posts would have issued approximately 450,000 visas during the same time frame. “We expect to close this gap rapidly over the next few days,” the government said on its website.

As posts become more connected, Taylor said taking care of backlogged student applications is a priority.

“We encourage any student that is close to a class start date to contact the embassy or consulate where they have applied or where they will apply in order to get an appointment that will accommodate their class start date.  This may not always be possible, but posts will do everything they can to get students to their courses on time,” he said.