Will the Visa Bulletin Be Released During a Government Shutdown?
The Visa Bulletin usually continues during shutdowns, keeping filing and priority dates public. But DOL pauses on LCAs…
Will USCIS Process H-1B Change-of-Employer Petitions During Shutdown?
USCIS will keep processing H-1B petitions during a shutdown because it’s fee-funded, but new filings needing a DOL-certified…
Can I-485 Filings Continue During a Government Shutdown? USCIS Guidance
USCIS, funded mainly by application fees, will accept and process Form I-485 during a government shutdown. Biometrics and…
Can I-485 Filing Use Visa Bulletin Dates for Filing During a Shutdown?
USCIS’s monthly Visa Bulletin chart choice controls whether I-485 filings are allowed during a shutdown. If Dates for…
Can You File Form I-539 to Change Status During a Government Shutdown?
Because USCIS is largely fee-funded, it continues accepting Form I-539 during shutdowns. File before your status expires to…
USCIS Ends Combo EAD and Advance Parole Cards; Separate Documents Now Required
USCIS stopped combo cards in July 2025 and issues separate EADs and Advance Parole documents. Fee funding lets…
Do J-1 Visa Stamp Appointments Cancel During a U.S. Shutdown?
J-1 visa stamp appointments continue during the 2025 shutdown because consular services are fee-funded. Valid J-1 stamps allow…
L-1 Blanket Approvals and Consular Appointments During a Shutdown
USCIS will likely keep processing L-1 Blanket Petitions during a shutdown because it’s fee-funded, but expect slower timelines.…
Can I Work If My H-4 EAD Expires During a Shutdown?
If an H-4 EAD expires during a shutdown, you can only keep working under a 180-day automatic extension…
H-1B 240-Day Rule and Shutdown: Can I Work If My I-94 Expires?
USCIS continues adjudicating fee-funded H-1B extension petitions during a shutdown, preserving the 240-day rule for timely-filed cases. DOL…
Are Pending I-539 Status Changes Processed During a Federal Shutdown?
Because USCIS is fee-funded, Form I-539 filings generally continue during federal shutdowns: new and pending cases are processed,…
F-1 Visa Appointments in a Shutdown and Spring Return Guidance
A government shutdown usually doesn’t halt F-1 visa processing because it’s fee-funded, but expect delays, fewer slots, and…
E-2 Spouses: No EAD During Shutdown; I-94 E-2S Authorization
If an E-2 spouse’s I-94 shows “E-2S,” they are authorized to work incident to status and generally do…
Can Sports Teams File P-1, P-2, or P-3 Petitions During a Shutdown?
USCIS remains open during a shutdown, so P-1/P-2/P-3 petitions can be filed and processed. Main risk: slower consular…