Will US visa, immigration services be affected by govt shutdown?

Following the US government shutdown, US diplomatic missions across the world have ceased to operate at full capacity. But pre-existing appointments for visa and immigration services will go on as scheduled.

“At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” said the US Embassy in India on X on Wednesday.

Identical statements were published by embassies and diplomats.

However, the US shutdown will affect public communication as social media accounts —including X— will not be updated regularly until the reopening of the government with the exception of urgent safety and security information.

At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. We will not update this account until full operations resume, with the exception of…

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) October 1, 2025

Moreover, new appointments for visa and immigration services are not guaranteed and processing of pre-existing application is expected to get slower.

In previous shutdowns, processing times for visas and passports slowed, consular posts sometimes reduced hours, and they temporarily stopped new applications, according to The Economic Times.

The US government shut down on Monday midnight after Congressional Democrats and Republicans failed to believe common ground. Under the shutdown, all non-essential personnel have been sent on leave. Except for essential personnel, all personnel have been sent to leave as they are set to be furloughed. US President Donald is expected to use the shutdown to fire staffers and shut down many offices.

As many as 750,000 government workers are set to be furloughed. But law enforcement, military, and all other essential personnel will remain.