Clients have had
to delay, or cancel trips to the US after the US Embassy was unable to process
visa applications before the date of travel due to appointment delays.
One agent, who spoke to
eTNW on the condition of anonymity,
said that when her client failed to receive her visa in time for travel, the
client visited the embassy in person and was told that the visa application was
not yet in process. “My client’s passport was then returned.”The client applied a month in advance of
travel and attended the appointment a week before departure.
Visa companies
canvassed by eTNW confirmed that high
demand for US tourist visas had seen clients cancel, or delay travel as a
result of delayed processing at the embassy.
US visa
appointments have had notably long waiting periods this year and are, at
present, delayed by four weeks. These waiting periods have, at times, resulted
in clients flying to different cities to secure earlier appointments.
The US Consulate
confirmed that the delays are due to high demand and advised agents to monitor
booked appointments on the website in case an earlier date opens up and they
can rebook their client.
We need to include how far in advance of
travel the application was made. How far in advance was the appointment made?
i.e. when did she schedule the appointment and when was the appointment.
