December 2018 Trump government shutdown

[John951 54]

So how does a shutdown effect embassies processing Visas ? Do embassies even shutdown ? Or only partially and still have essential services for USC within that country ?

 

I tried forum search ...

[randomstairs 303]

I don't think the DoS will be affected by the shutdown (just the DHS). Moreover, it's possible that consular services would continue even in the case DoS is affected, in part because visa processing is self-funded (applicants pay for them). However, whether the shutdown will affect your application depends on the type of the visa. If they need to run certain background checks, the process may be slowed down (depending on whether the DHS is involved or not). My understanding is that this will be a partial shutdown so agencies such as FBI and departments such as DoL should be working just fine. So it's quite unlikely that the visa processing will be affected.  

 

But stay prepared for anything just in case... 

Edited December 12, 2018 by randomstairs

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

USCIS is not affected by the government shutdown as it is a fee-for-service agency (your fees are what paying them) with the exception of the E-verify program, that's funded by the US government and will be shut down during a shutdown.

 

Other agencies belong to DHS will continue to operate inlcuding ICE and CBP. Those are considered essential to the protection of human lives and properties (or whatever the terms are). However, those guys won't get paid until a deal is reached and the President signs the new funding bill.

 

US Embassies are supposed to keep a skeleton crews of "essential personnel" working. However, it was never elaborated what that means. 

[John951 54]

Sweet, so I shouldn't see any delay in my girls interview

[mc962 55]

Can't hurt to call the embassy and confirm.

Edited December 13, 2018 by mc962

[John951 54]

Just now, mc962 said:

Can't hurt to call the embassy and confirm.

I did, " Please be informed that currently the immigrant visa unit is operating as usual".

[jhigareda41 30]

I am also concerned as I have an interview January 3rd but after hours of research on forums and articles it seems that embassies will keep working as usual until funds run out therefore short term shut down might not affect anyone. But a long shutdown might. I will call the us embassy in Mexico as that is my location to see If they can shed some light on this. But please anyone with info keep us updated. Cheers.

[NikLR 13,227]

On 12/12/2018 at 9:25 AM, John951 said:

Sweet, so I shouldn't see any delay in my girls interview

Depends.. USCIS or embassy? 

[John951 54]

15 hours ago, NikLR said:

Depends.. USCIS or embassy? 

Embassy

[NikLR 13,227]

Possibly since non-essential employees won't be going to work.  It would be best to remember that essential employees are going to work but aren't getting paid either. 

[msrainyj 68]

NVC posted this on their website for any who are at NVC stage: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/lapse-in-appropriations.html

[John951 54]

[Lucrezia_ITALY 45]

What about the biometrics results that the Embassies need to issue the final visa (I have an interview schedule on Jan. 8th for K1 Fiancé visa).

If the Dept of Homeland Security won’t be operative because of the lapse of funding, than they won’t be able to respond to the Embassies...

[John951 54]

18 minutes ago, Lucrezia_ITALY said:

What about the biometrics results that the Embassies need to issue the final visa (I have an interview schedule on Jan. 8th for K1 Fiancé visa).

If the Dept of Homeland Security won’t be operative because of the lapse of funding, than they won’t be able to respond to the Embassies...

@Lucrezia_ITALYLet me know what happens at the embassy, my girl had her k1 interview on the 17th

[John951 54]

@Lucrezia_ITALYHas* her interview on Jan 17th