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The recent shutdown of the United States government has triggered disruptions across multiple sectors including passport and visa services at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. While existing visa appointments will continue, several groups of people are likely to experience delays and uncertainty in the coming days.
The shutdown occurred after Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on government funding before the deadline. As a result, federal agencies that rely on annual budgets have been forced to halt operations.
Under the shutdown rules:
Essential staff such as military personnel, law enforcement, and critical emergency workers will remain on duty.
Non-essential government employees — nearly 750,000 of them — have been furloughed (sent on unpaid leave).
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Visa and immigration applicants without appointments | Difficulty booking new appointments until operations return to normal |
| People awaiting passport renewals or fresh passport services in the U.S. | Slowed processing times due to reduced staffing |
| Students, tourists, and workers planning upcoming travel | Possible delays in receiving visas or travel documents |
| Businesses depending on international travel or hiring foreign employees | Delays in onboarding and travel planning |
Despite the shutdown, U.S. embassies abroad, including the U.S. Embassy in India, have confirmed that: “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.”
This means that existing appointments will NOT be canceled but new appointments are not guaranteed.
Processing will get slower due to limited staff.
Consulates may reduce working hours, similar to previous shutdowns.
Social media pages of U.S. embassies will not be updated regularly, except for urgent safety or security alerts.
Customer service response times will be delayed, making it harder for applicants to get updates.
Keep your scheduled appointment it will go ahead unless specifically canceled. Expect delays in receiving final approvals. Avoid making last-minute travel plans based on pending visas. Check official embassy websites instead of relying on social media updates.
This shutdown is not just a political deadlock it affects real people across the globe. From international students waiting to join universities to families planning reunions and professionals moving abroad for work, the uncertainty around visa timelines could cause travel disruptions and financial losses.
Until lawmakers in Washington reach a funding agreement, applicants are advised to stay patient, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary rescheduling.
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