According to the Department of State’s website, U.S. visa and U.S. passport applicants should prepare themselves for serious delays.
On July 20, 2014 the Department of State’s Consular Consolidated Database (CCD) underwent a recommended software update. Since then the CCD -a database containing essential information for the printing of U.S. passports and U.S. visas – has experienced major outages. As a result there is a significant backlog in the system causing difficulties for applicants who are awaiting their U.S. visas and passports.
Becker & Lee LLP recommends that any visa applicant at a consulate abroad check with individual consulates and also read updates on the website for U.S. Department of State FAQs, which can be found here.