The Murthy Immigration Services has received numerous reports from U.S. visa applicants, regarding significant technical disruptions on the official U.S. Visa Scheduling portal (usvisascheduling.com).
As of this writing, the portal appears to be experiencing a global outage, impacting applicants in India, the Philippines, and other regions transitioning to the new CGI Federal system. Users attempting to log in or schedule appointments are frequently encountering “Server Timeout” errors or being redirected to the homepage.
Scope of the Outage
Applicants attempting to access the site are reporting a variety of system failures, including:
- Error Code 524 / Server Timeout: Indicating that the origin web server is failing to respond to browser requests in a timely manner.
- Login Loops: Users are successfully entering credentials but are immediately redirected back to the login screen without accessing their dashboard.
- “Validation Failed” Messages: Impacting those attempting to link their DS-160 confirmation numbers or update profile details.
While the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has not yet issued a formal press release detailing the cause, official notices on some consular pages suggest “ongoing system maintenance.”
The Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service has reported “Technical issues on the scheduling portal”. This official notification indicates, “The scheduling portal is currently experiencing technical issues, and applicants may encounter errors with the system during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience as we work to resolve the problem”. This official release can be found here.
Recommendations for Applicants
We advise stakeholders to exercise patience. While it is stressful to face delays—particularly for F-1 students and H1B workers with upcoming travel plans—attempting to “force” the system can lead to further complications.
Avoid Excessive Refreshes
Repeatedly refreshing the page or attempting to log in multiple times in rapid succession may trigger the portal’s automated security protocols. This can result in a temporary account lock (often lasting 72 hours) or an IP ban, further delaying your ability to access the calendar once the site comes back online.
Potential Workarounds
Some users have reported limited success using the following methods, though results are inconsistent:
- Mobile Browsing: Accessing the portal via Google Chrome on a mobile device, rather than a desktop.
- Clear Cache/Cookies: Utilizing an “Incognito” or “Private” browser window to ensure no corrupted session data is causing the conflict.
- Network Switching: Disconnecting from corporate VPNs, which are sometimes blocked by the portal’s firewall.
Emergency Assistance
If you have a confirmed emergency appointment or urgent travel need that is being jeopardized by this technical failure, rely on official support channels rather than third-party agents.
- India Support: support-india@usvisascheduling.com or +91 20 69020000.
- U.S. Support: +1 332 220 1866.
Conclusion
Technical glitches with consular systems, while frustrating, are generally temporary. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates on MurthyIndiaDotCom as the functionality of the visa scheduling portal is restored.