US visa delays expected as a result of shutdown

The shutdown of the US government is expected to hit hard on immigrants waiting for visa approvals and others planning to submit their applications.

US consular and mission services across the world are to continue to work as normal for a few more days, after which embassies and consulates will only function to serve diplomatic issues and emergency services for US citizens. Immediate delays in visa processing are expected, with a total cessation of processing should a prolonged shutdown set in.

Corporate visitors should note that, in the several previous shutdowns, business reasons were not considered as qualifying for emergency visa processing. Paperwork and other visa delays are expected at land borders as well as at airports, although border agencies and Customs and Excise are expected to keep working, at least in the short term.

A major problem for the Citizenship and Immigration Service is that, although attempts to continue visa processing will be made due to economic concerns, workers offering support services and other non-essential agencies are now on indefinite leave. The E-Verify service will be inaccessible and, although some employers will have their deadlines extended, most will not be able to take action against employees as a result of their interim case statuses, with the Department of Labor certification also affected.