WASHINGTON, November 7, 2026: A possible US federal government shutdown raises practical questions for people applying for visas, green cards, work permits or citizenship. The most important point is that a shutdown does not automatically close every immigration office or cancel every visa appointment. Its effects depend on how individual agencies and programs are funded, as well as the contingency plans in force when a funding lapse occurs.
Important: This is a preparedness guide, not a report that all federal immigration services have stopped. Applicants should continue meeting filing deadlines and attending appointments unless the responsible agency provides different instructions.
Will USCIS Continue Processing Green Cards and Work Permits?
Most US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) operations are funded through application fees. As a result, the agency has generally continued processing immigration petitions and applications during previous funding lapses. This includes many applications for adjustment of status, employment authorization documents, naturalization and family-based immigration.
However, individual programs funded by congressional appropriations may be affected, and applications that depend on other agencies can experience delays. USCIS may also change interview, ceremony or contact-center arrangements. Check USCIS.gov and your USCIS online account for case-specific notices.
Will US Embassies Cancel Visa Interviews?
US State Department passport and visa services are largely supported by fees, so embassies and consulates generally continue consular operations during a shutdown while sufficient funding is available. Yet staffing and operations can vary by location. A particular embassy may reschedule interviews or limit services if circumstances require it.
Do not cancel a scheduled interview based only on a shutdown headline. Check the official US visa information portal and the website of the embassy or consulate handling your application. Applicants in India should use official US Embassy and Consulates in India announcements for local appointment updates.
What Happens to H-1B and Employment-Based Applications?
Some employer-sponsored immigration processes involve both USCIS and the Department of Labor (DOL). Their shutdown exposure is not identical. In past funding lapses, Labor Condition Applications, labor certifications and prevailing wage services have sometimes been disrupted. However, current contingency guidance can exempt certain processing functions, so employers should not assume every DOL immigration filing will stop.
Employers should check the DOL FLAG system and Office of Foreign Labor Certification announcements, and confirm time-sensitive filings with qualified immigration counsel.
Could E-Verify and Form I-9 Be Affected?
E-Verify has experienced interruptions during past government shutdowns. If the service becomes unavailable, employers should follow USCIS instructions about creating cases after restoration. The underlying obligation to complete Form I-9 for new employees does not simply disappear during a shutdown. Employers should consult E-Verify’s official website for operational updates.
Will Immigration Courts Stay Open?
Immigration court operations depend on Justice Department contingency arrangements. Detained cases have often continued during previous shutdowns, while other hearings have sometimes been postponed. But this is not a universal rule: immigration attorneys’ association AILA notes that non-detained cases have also continued under some more recent shutdown arrangements. Check the Executive Office for Immigration Review for current court status, and do not miss a hearing without official confirmation.
Will Airports and US Borders Remain Open?
Customs and Border Protection inspection personnel and other essential travel-security workers generally continue working during funding lapses. Airports and ports of entry do not automatically close. Nevertheless, staffing pressures can cause delays, especially during prolonged shutdowns. International travelers should confirm flight schedules, carry valid travel documents and allow additional time for connections.
Quick Guide for Visa Applicants and Travelers
| Service | Typical situation during a shutdown |
|---|---|
| USCIS green cards and work permits | Most fee-funded processing continues; some delays possible |
| US embassy visa interviews | Generally continue if fees support operations; local changes possible |
| H-1B and labor certification processes | Depends on DOL and USCIS contingency rules |
| E-Verify | May become unavailable during certain funding lapses |
| Immigration courts | Schedules depend on current EOIR guidance and court location |
| Airports and border inspections | Essential operations continue; delays possible |
Five Things Applicants Should Do Now
- Keep copies of appointment notices, receipts, passports and immigration documents.
- Continue to respect filing and response deadlines unless an agency officially extends them.
- Check USCIS, State Department, DOL and EOIR websites rather than relying on viral social media posts.
- For international travel, confirm visa appointment details and flight schedules before departure.
- Ask a qualified immigration professional about urgent or complex cases, especially when status or employment authorization could expire.
Rules can change during a shutdown and may differ by agency. This article provides general information and is not individualized legal advice.
Official Resources and Related Guides
Official links: USCIS; US Department of State visas; EOIR immigration courts; DOL FLAG. Additional reference: American Immigration Lawyers Association shutdown updates.
More on NewsNationOnline: What a shutdown means for Social Security, Medicare and passports; US visa types explained; F-1 student visa guide.
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