The federal government officially shut down on October 1, 2025, and it could be weeks before full operations are restored. For immigrants, international students, and employers, this disruption brings confusion and uncertainty — especially for visa processing and immigration benefits that depend on federal agencies.

What's Happening

As of October 1, the U.S. government has entered a full shutdown due to Congress's failure to reach a budget agreement. While essential services continue to operate, many immigration-related agencies have limited staffing, suspended non-essential operations, or are working without pay.

How Immigration Agencies Are Affected

Here's what this shutdown means across major immigration systems:

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services):
  Most operations continue because USCIS is funded by application fees, but applicants should still expect processing delays and slower response times.
  
  

• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL):
  Key programs like PERM labor certification and LCA processing for H-1B visas are temporarily paused. This means new filings can't be processed until the government reopens, delaying green card and work visa cases.
  
  

• Department of State:
  Visa appointments at U.S. consulates and embassies may be canceled or delayed depending on available funding. Students and workers abroad should expect longer wait times.
  
  

• E-Verify:
  The system is offline during the shutdown, which prevents employers from verifying new hires' work authorization — but employers won't face penalties for delays during this period.
  
  

How Long Could It Last?

While there's no set timeline, early estimates suggest it could take several weeks before government functions are fully restored. The longer the shutdown continues, the more severe the backlog and delays will become — especially for employment-based immigration cases.

What You Can Do Now

If you have an active or upcoming immigration filing, it's important to:

• File as early as possible to minimize future delays.
  
  

• Keep digital copies of all communications and filings.
  
  

• Monitor USCIS and Department of State updates daily.
  
  

Work with a qualified immigration attorney to understand how the shutdown impacts your specific case.

Stay Informed

World One Law Group is closely tracking the 2025 government shutdown and its impact on visa holders, students, and employers. We'll continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

📞 Call us at (425) 250-8110
🌐 Visit www.world1law.com