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2h ago

U.S. Shutdown Puts Embassy Social Media on Hold as Passports and Visas Continue

Passport and visa processing is continuing where fee funding and staffing allow.

Among the hardest hit will be the processing of H-1B visas and green cards, crucial for thousands of Indian professionals.
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The flag of the USA flies at half mast outside the country's embassy following the death of former president Jimmy Carter, on December 30, 2024 in London, England.
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Overview

  • U.S. embassies in the U.K., India, the UAE, Kenya, and Thailand said their social accounts will carry only urgent safety and security updates during the funding lapse.
  • The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs said consular operations will continue in the United States and overseas, while certain domestic support functions are suspended.
  • Missions advised that scheduled passport and visa appointments would proceed "as the situation permits," signaling potential delays or reduced capacity.
  • U.S. airlines warned the shutdown could slow air travel as essential aviation workers remain on duty without pay and other functions pause.
  • Federal agencies have begun furloughs and service reductions, and cybersecurity experts cautioned that reduced staffing could heighten vulnerability to threats.