WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown after lawmakers failed to pass key federal funding legislation before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. While the shutdown affects many federal agencies, American embassies abroad, including in India and the Gulf, have confirmed that passport and visa services will continue, “as the situation permits.”
The U.S. Embassy in India stated that scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas will continue during the funding lapse. The embassy cautioned, however, that operations are subject to change depending on how long the shutdown lasts.
Embassies have temporarily suspended routine updates on social media. Only urgent safety and security information will be posted until full operations resume. Travelers and applicants are advised to rely on official State Department channels for real-time updates, rather than social media accounts.
Despite the suspension of routine communications, the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs confirmed that key services remain operational. These include passport and visa appointments and assistance for American citizens abroad. Some domestic support functions linked to these services may be limited or paused during the shutdown.
While embassies remain open, certain visa categories could experience delays. Programs such as the H-1B work visa rely on approvals from other agencies, like the Department of Labor. Experts have noted that labor condition applications may face slowdowns until federal funding is restored. Travelers and applicants should anticipate potential delays for visas that require multi-agency processing.
American embassies in the Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, have issued similar advisories. Routine updates on their official X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram accounts will be suspended until further notice. Embassies stress that scheduled passport and visa appointments will continue “as the situation permits.”
Residents and travelers with upcoming consular appointments are urged to consult the State Department website at travel.state.gov for the latest information. This site provides updates on embassy services, appointment status, and emergency contact guidance.
The shutdown started just after midnight local time on Wednesday when Congress failed to approve federal spending legislation. Under U.S. law, appropriations bills must be passed each year to fund federal agencies. Without these bills, government operations halt.
This marks the first shutdown since December 2018, which lasted 35 days and became the longest in U.S. history. The current shutdown is fueled by a political standoff over healthcare funding and budget priorities. Democratic lawmakers demanded a permanent extension of health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans pushed for a short-term continuing resolution through November 21 without additional spending changes.
Late Tuesday, Senate Democrats rejected a House-passed stopgap funding bill. With no resolution by the midnight deadline, federal operations partially shut down.
For now, passport and visa services remain operational. However, delays may occur, particularly for visas requiring approvals from multiple agencies. Embassies are limiting social media updates, so travelers should rely on official channels for accurate, up-to-date information.
The Department of State emphasized that consular services, including emergency assistance for American citizens abroad, continue despite the shutdown. Applicants should monitor travel.state.gov and prepare for possible scheduling changes.
