US visa chaos at Kolkata Consulate

US visa applicants at the Consulate General in Kolkata have faced uncertainty after visa interviews could not be conducted over the past two working days, according to US visa applicants.

The applicants of US visa said they were informed that recurring technical issues have left them waiting for US visa interviews while they remain in the dark over fresh appointment dates.US visa applicants in Kolkata scheduled for visa interviews on Friday said while they queued up outside the consulate from before 8 am, most of them were not allowed to enter the office.

About an hour later, officials informed them that interviews could not begin because the systems were down following lightning and thunderstorms.

As a result, even applicants with the earliest appointment slots were unable to proceed with their interviews.ALSO READ: A tax-law argument could make or break Trump's H-1B $100,000 planBy around noon, officials informed applicants that no visa interviews would be conducted that day.

While this created a chaos outside the consulate, US visa applicants where then called in batches inside the office and they were verbally informed about coming back on other dates starting June 29.

However, while the US consulate office promised mails will be sent to the US visa applicants, many said they had not received any email with rescheduled date even till Monday afternoon.

The cancellation of the US visa interviews also troubled some senior citizens and children who were made to wait for more than four hours on the road amid the Kolkata's hot and humid weather.

An applicant who returned on Monday as was asked to do so by the US Consulate said the situation remained unchanged.

According to the applicant, no interviews had begun by around 8:30 am.

Officials then informed those waiting that "due to an internal problem" they are not able to conduct interviews.

Later, all US visa applicants waiting were informed that no US visa interviews will be conducted even on Monday, i.e., June 29, due to system failure.

Applicants from other states left in limboUS visa applicants said many had travelled to Kolkata from other states for their visa appointments and incurred additional expenses on flights, accommodation and local travel.

Some also had onward connecting flights and other travel commitments."Most of us came from other states.

We have flights today itself to go back to our homes or other destinations.

How are we expected to come back again?" one applicant said.

According to the applicant, officials responded that they could not offer any immediate assistance or certainty on when interviews would resume, adding that the systems were still not working.ALSO READ: New US visa rule could change how long international students can stay in the countryThe officials again assured that rescheduled dates will be emailed today.However, as of now, many said they had not received any communication regarding fresh interview dates.US Embassy issued weather alertThe disruptions come after the US Embassy in India issued a weather alert for Kolkata, warning of heavy rainfall, flooding and transport disruptions in the city.

The advisory urged US citizens to monitor local weather updates, avoid flooded areas where possible and allow extra travel time because of adverse weather conditions. ...