would a government shutdown also close US consulates?

[pushbrk 12,882]

i'm not sure what you are trying to say... but i can tell you that i am american and am planning on having a marriage "ceremony" that is as far from "proper" as you can get. my british fiance and i have a plan that he will arrive on april 1st and we will get married on wednesday, april 6th (wednesdays are the only day the courthouse conducts marriages). it will not be the end of the world if something changes this. he would have to pay through the nose to re-book his flight, sure, but that is a risk we take for trying to make a plan. we are planning because we want to be together as soon as possible. of course you make some sort of a plan, why wouldn't you? and if something unexpected occurs, you adapt.

i'm just trying to convey that anyone who is doing more than the courthouse thing needs to do quite a bit more planning than that.. and as you can see, even we, minimalist marriage as it is, have something of a plan. maybe there are a handful of people on this site who waited to book a flight until they had their visa in hand.. after i complete this process, it would be so easy for me to say to someone don't plan anything until you have your visa! but i know that realistically that is very difficult to do. so, i will help them work through the issues instead of throwing stones

I'm saying two things. First, I get a kick out of (means I think it's humorous) how the Brits use the term "proper". I knew nothing of your own plans. The second thing I'm saying is that most K1 couples tie the actual knot in a less "proper" (formal and well planned in advance with the invitations sent months in advance, entertainment booked etc.) way than if there were no immigration process to complicate their plans.

Many spouse visa couples find themselves in the same boat. Neither my wife or I wanted any big formal wedding. Fortunately all actual marriages in China are "courthouse" marriages with no "guests". Our "marriage" was delayed a day for some paperwork and the ceremony was booked two days in advance with a banquet room arranged two days in advance as well. Fortunately, that's easy to do in my wife's City. Since all the guests were local, no complications with travel, etc. Others make far more adjustments. It's part of the package.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

it will never happen. They will just keep it running two weeks at a time until the budget is agreed apon.

Um, sorry to disagree, but its happened before. Once for a few days in November of 1995 and for a couple of week in December 1995- through till January of 1996.

Never say never.

[ionsnewwife 0]

makes perfect sense! this is great information... thanks so much for that!!!

Yes! Thank you for that insight!

[ionsnewwife 0]

http://www.murthy.com/news/n_shutdo.html

good description of what would be affected.

THANK YOU!!

this is not good news... from the website posted:

"While the diplomatic and security aspects of the Department of State (DOS) operations would continue, visa applications would likely not be processed in the event of a shutdown. It is anticipated that the consulates will not be open for visa appointments and processing. Thus, depending upon the duration of such an event, individuals could be stranded abroad with no way of obtaining required travel documents. The same is true for the processing of U.S. passports. "

But for those of you still in the USCIS.. you're okay:

"The USCIS is expected to continue to adjudicate benefits applications and petitions. This is possible because these operations are funded by the filing fees that are submitted with the various applications and petitions. "

Good clarification!!

[yanabel 0]

OK, I didn't read this before, but here is what I read today:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12975994

so, if this happens, is it going to affect our visas processed by the US embassy in the UK (or any other consulate)?

I hope not!

[lvriesling 11]

http://www.goinglegal.com/article_2162651_18.html

"The American Department of State is primarily responsible for the "back end" of the U.S. Immigration process as most immigrant visa and K-1 visa applications for loved ones abroad must be adjudicated by a United States Embassy or United States Consulate with appropriate Consular jurisdiction. Before a visa application can be adjudicated at a US Mission abroad it must first process through the United States National Visa Center. The reason that the NVC and the US Missions abroad are being mentioned in this article is due, in part, to the fact that were a government shutdown to occur processing of visa applications at NVC and US Missions abroad could effectively cease until such time as the controversy in the USA is resolved and the US government "reopens" for business. Therefore, those with pending visa matters before the United States immigration apparatus should be prepared for possible delays in the visa process should the United States government shutdown."

[pushbrk 12,882]

THANK YOU!!

Good clarification!!

Referring to this...

"The USCIS is expected to continue to adjudicate benefits applications and petitions. This is possible because these operations are funded by the filing fees that are submitted with the various applications and petitions. "

The quote is from a law firm's website and is the opinion of its author. However, as reported directly from the horse's mouth (VSC employees with whom Gary of "Gary and Alla" is personally acquainted) VSC employees are forbidden to report to work during any potential government shutdown. So, USCIS WILL BE impacted.