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November 21, 2001 - The U.S. Department of State (DOS) visa
revalidation unit is experiencing severe processing delays resulting
in a doubling of processing times. Visa revalidation is the procedure
by which an individual possessing an expiring H, L, O, P, E or I
visa stamp requests an updated stamp in the same classification
based on a recent Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) approval.
In a conversation with an attorney at our firm, a DOS representative
advised that the processing time will be approximately eight to
twelve weeks until further notice. The standard processing time
was previously five to six weeks. As additional confirmation of
the delay, DOS has posted a warning to their revalidation unit website
at http://travel.state.gov/revals.html
with the following message:
The Department of State is experiencing a severe delay in mail
services. Our mail rooms have been temporarily closed and return
by the U.S. Postal Service is extremely slow. Mail returned in
Department of State envelopes is still awaiting Department mail
room openings. We are receiving pickups by the overnight couriers
such as Federal Express, UPS, DHL and Airborne. We are also returning
revalidated visas by these couriers when the original package
we received included account numbers from applicants.
If your passport is pending revalidation at DOS and you have an
immediate travel need, the only way to get your passport back is
to withdraw the revalidation application. You must send a written
request for withdrawal to the DOS revalidation unit fax number at
202-663-1608. DOS requires that each faxed withdraw request include
the following items:
- Applicant's name (as it is written in the passport)
- Applicant's date and place of birth
- Applicant's nationality
- Visa type (e.g., E, H, I, L, O, P)
- Method sent (e.g., FedEx, Express Mail, DHL, World Courier,
UPS, Priority Mail, etc.)
- Date the package was received at the Department
- Name and return address on envelope
- Telephone and/or fax number to contact if there are difficulties
finding the application
DOS advises that if the application and passport are at the Washington
office, the passport and application documents will be sent out
the next business day. Please check back at our website for further
updates on this news item as they occur.
Larry Drumm, Attorney
Berry, Appleman & Leiden LLP
San Francisco Office
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