In November 2009, the Department of State announced that it would deploy the Form DS-160 web-based nonimmigrant visa application form worldwide by April 30, 2010. The Form DS-160 application form combines all information previously collected on the Form DS-156, Form DS-157, and Form DS-158 for appropriate applicants, and the Form DS-3052.

As the United States Consulates in Vancouver and Montreal were part of the initial pilot program, they have already been using Form DS-160 for some time. During the pilot program period, the web-based Form DS-160 was prone to timeouts and other technical difficulties.

Following the announcement that Form DS-160 would be deployed worldwide, many consular posts have now adopted the new Form DS-160. Unfortunately, this has resulted in even more technical problems.

At the present time, the online Form DS-160 is essentially unusable. Most (if not all) visa applicants are unable to complete their Form DS-160 online. Unfortunately, use of Form DS-160 is mandatory at consular posts that have adopted it and they will not issue a visa without one.

In response to this problem, the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association Department of State Liaison Committee has been in contact with the Visa Office regarding the Form DS-160 problem and has urged that all consulates immediately resume accepting the old visa application forms until the problem is solved. However, there is no word yet on what DOS will do to resolve this issue.

Since the end of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, several foreign spectators have now filed refugee claims. Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials said that the seven foreign nationals, whom they can’t identify because of privacy laws, stayed behind after the Olympics ended.

More than 5,500 athletes and officials were accredited for the Vancouver Games and officials expect more of them to surface as claimants during the coming weeks. Typically, claims surface as athletes and officials begin to return home and as the temporary resident status of spectators begin to expire.

Officials said some of the claimants entered Canada from the U.S. by posing as spectators or family members of those participating in the Olympics. Refugee claimants are not rare for international sporting tournaments.

It can take a year or more for refugee cases to be determined by the Immigration and Refugee Board. While waiting for their cases to be decided, applicants are entitled to work and receive health care.

Mr. Jason Kenny, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, says that the seven people who have claimed refugee status after coming to watch the Olympics are from Hungary, Russia and Japan. He also stated that it is “ridiculous” someone from Japan could make that claim and says its a sign the system has broken down.