Bombing destroys visa applications

Otto Frank did not manage to put together his file again before all the US consulates in European occupied territory closed their doors in early July 1941. It is unclear whether this affected the Van Pels family, but it is clear that they were also unable to travel. The bombing thus permanently destroyed both families' already slim chances of a timely departure.^[1]

In 1938, Otto Frank applied for immigration visas at the US consulate in Rotterdam.^[2] Hermann van Pels and his family did the same, but probably a little later; receipt was confirmed by the consulate on 25 April 1939.^[3] By now, the number of German applicants was huge, resulting in a long waiting list. To build a file, Frank and Van Pels had to supply a large number of documents, including birth certificates of all family members, marriage certificates, proof of military service, vaccination certificates and passport photographs.

The consulate reconstructed the old waiting list as much as possible, but applicants had to assemble all their documentation again. Visa applicants could use the number on the receipt of their application to get on a reconstructed list. It appeared later that some staff members were bribed to put applicants higher on that list during this process.