US Government Shutdown - affect on visa interviews and visa issuance?

[criticalchris 13]

Hey!

Just to add to the unbelievable stress from this already stressful process, the US government has shut down... how silly of it!

This is really worrying to us with visa interviews coming up soon... mine is in 10 days. What is the official word on the continuation of the London embassy? The London embassy website has a little notice saying

'At this time, any U.S. government shutdown will not affect Embassy London operations.

The Embassy and Consular section do not anticipate a disruption to services beginning 1st October 2013.
Our Consulates-General in Belfast and Edinburgh will also remain open.'

However, in another VJ thread someone was saying the interviews would go as normal, but the visas will not be issued? Is this right? Does anyone know 100% how this shutdown will affect visa interviews and visa issuance?

[Boiler 46,012]

They do not know their ####### from their elbows, this is the Government after all.

UK, US no different.

[Azsara 110]

Hopefully nothing will be affected and it will be business as usual.

[rudyzn 2]

As read on the BBC this morning:

"Under the shutdown, national parks (....) and visa and passport applications will go unprocessed."

F*+-!!!!

[SLCPLC 2]

From the Department of State website:

C. Consular Operations Domestically and Overseas: Consular operations domestically and overseas will remain 100% operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. However, if a passport agency is located in a government building affected by a lapse in appropriations, the facility may become unsupported. The continuance of consular operations in such instances will be treated on a case-by-case basis by the Under Secretary for Management

and from cnn.com:

If you need a visa

Because consular services at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world are largely funded by application fees, not annual appropriations, visa applications filed by foreigners wanting to enter the United States will continue to be processed, according to the State Department.

I'm going to look at it as "glass half full" (husbands interview at the end of the month!)

[raflen 1]

THIS: Some passport services located in federal buildings might be disrupted — only if those buildings are forced to close because of a disruption in building support services.

BUT NOT THIS: Except in those instances, passport and visas will be handled as usual, both at home and abroad. These activities of the Bureau of Consular Affairs are fully supported by user fees instead of appropriated money, so are not affected. As well, the government will keep handling green card applications.

[Olive4870 10]

From washingtonpost.com:

During the previous shutdown in 1995-1996, around 20,000 to 30,000 applications from foreigners for visas went unprocessed each day. This time around, the State Department is planning to continue processing visas through the shutdown, since those operations are largely funded by fees collected.*

Thanks God...I'll have my interview on Oct 17...

Edited October 1, 2013 by terrificgrace

[Anna Grant 169]

As I posted in another thread:

Another impact of the shutdown is, once you get to the US, you will not be able to get a Social Security Number - http://www.socialsec...y.gov/shutdown/

I was due to go this week to change my SSN card from my maiden to married name (now that I have my EAD) but will not now be able to do it until the shutdown finishes.

The official line for US Embassies around the world is:

If you need a visa

Because consular services at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world are largely funded by application fees, not annual appropriations, visa applications filed by foreigners wanting to enter the United States will continue to be processed, according to the State Department.

the post above referring to 'processing visa and passport applications' is the ones done in the US for US citizens. Not the ones done outside of the US for non-US citizens.

Edited October 1, 2013 by Anna Grant

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There is nothing you can do to fix it Chris, so your worry is wasted emotion. Sit back and wait.

[rjm_cmyk 75]

I was there today (Tuesday 1st) - all working fine. I actually heard the comment on R4 about passport offices being close as I was driving down through Swiss Cottage...

Rather pleased to see the queue when I got there.

Which reminds me - I need to update my timeline :-)

Edited October 1, 2013 by rjm_cmyk