Families of performers and athletes holding P-class visas will keep seeing movement on their cases during a federal government shutdown, but how much depends on the step and the office in charge. The United States 🇺🇸 has two main players here: USCIS, which handles petitions in the country, and the Department of State, which runs consulates abroad for visa interviews and printing. Because both agencies are mostly funded by fees, most work continues. Still, consular services can slow down or pause some categories, which can delay P-4 dependents trying to join a principal P visa holder overseas.
Petition stage — USCIS operations
At the petition stage, USCIS generally continues to accept and decide cases during a shutdown. That includes petitions for principal P-1, P-2, and P-3 workers and, where applicable, related filings that support dependents.
- Employers and agents file the supporting petition using Form I-129: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129.
- Because USCIS is largely fee-funded, it does not rely on annual congressional budgets to keep core casework going.
- Analysis from VisaVerge.com indicates that past shutdowns did not halt receipt or adjudication of these filings, even when other federal services paused.
Consular stage — Department of State / overseas posts
The more fragile part for P-4 spouses and children is the consular process. After the principal’s petition is approved by USCIS, P-4 family members abroad must:
- Complete the online nonimmigrant application via Form DS-160: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html
- Schedule and attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Receive visa printing in passports once approved.
Because consular sections are also largely fee-funded, most posts keep working during shutdowns. However, when a post faces staffing or funding limits it may:
- Scale back appointments
- Prioritize emergency/mission-critical services
- Cancel routine slots
When that happens, P-4 interviews and visa issuance can be pushed back, causing delays for dependents trying to join a principal overseas.
The common pattern during a shutdown: the principal P petition typically moves forward inside the U.S., while the final visa step for family members overseas may take longer.
Practical impacts on families
For families planning to travel together for a tour, season, festival, or residency, consular delays can separate households and affect contracts, childcare, and scheduling.
- Parents report juggling event schedules while waiting for new interview dates.
- Rebooking flights and changing housing or childcare arrangements are common.
- Early planning and flexible travel are crucial for P-4 applicants during unsettled periods.
Policy operations during a shutdown — key points
- USCIS adjudications typically continue. The agency is fee-funded and keeps processing petitions, including those supporting P workers and their dependents.
- Consulates may reduce visa services. State Department posts are mostly fee-funded, but some may limit non-emergency services if fee revenue or staffing falls short.
- Online systems vary. Tools like E-Verify can pause during shutdowns, but this generally does not directly affect P-4 visas.
- No stop to filing. Families and employers can continue submitting USCIS forms and paying fees. Mail and online filing remain open.
For an official overview of temporary work visas (including P categories), see the State Department’s guidance: Temporary worker visas (including P categories): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html.
Impact on P-4 families and recommended steps
The bottom line: P-4 visa applicants rely on consulates for DS-160 processing, interviews, and visa printing — and those steps can slow during a shutdown. If a post trims services, parents and children might wait longer for first-time visas or renewals done abroad. Principal P holders in the U.S. can often extend or change status through USCIS without interruption, but international travel still requires a visa in the passport.
Recommended actions for families and sponsors:
- File the principal’s Form I-129 early, as allowed for P classifications (https://www.uscis.gov/i-129).
- Complete each P-4 applicant’s Form DS-160 promptly after petition approval (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html).
- Monitor the specific embassy or consulate website and email alerts for local guidance and service changes.
- Keep travel plans flexible — avoid nonrefundable tickets for dependents until visas are printed.
- Consider staggered travel if the principal must report to work on a fixed date (principal enters first; dependents follow after consular processing).
- Document urgent needs (medical, school enrollment) to support any expedite requests a post may consider.
VisaVerge.com notes that during earlier shutdowns larger posts generally kept most nonimmigrant services going, while smaller posts sometimes narrowed to emergency work. Local conditions therefore matter more than national policy.
Alternatives for dependents already in the U.S.
- P-4 dependents who are already in the United States in valid P status can often apply to extend or change status with USCIS without leaving the country.
- This option avoids consular backlogs, but anyone who needs to travel internationally will still require a visa in their passport before returning to the U.S.
- Plan reentry around potential consular delays.
Employer and promoter planning
Employers and agents should:
- Anticipate onboarding challenges if a spouse or child provides vital family care.
- Build backup plans for contracts that assume joint travel.
- Offer consular coordination assistance where feasible.
- Communicate early and clearly to reduce costly last-minute cancellations.
Final reminders and key takeaways
- A shutdown does not change eligibility rules for P-4 dependents.
- A shutdown does not cancel valid visas already in passports.
- A shutdown does not stop USCIS from taking and deciding petitions.
- It can slow the final consular steps abroad — DS-160 processing, interviews, and visa printing.
Families who prepare early, watch local consular updates, and build time cushions are better positioned to ride out any pauses while keeping tours, seasons, and performances on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
A federal government shutdown typically does not stop USCIS from receiving and adjudicating P-1, P-2, and P-3 petitions because USCIS is largely fee-funded. The risk for P-4 dependents arises at the consular stage: U.S. embassies and consulates, while also mostly fee-funded, may scale back non-emergency services if staffing or fee revenue falls short. That can delay DS-160 processing, visa interviews, and passport visa printing, separating families and affecting travel, contracts, and childcare. Families should file principal Form I-129 early, complete DS-160s promptly, monitor consulate announcements, keep travel plans flexible, and document urgent needs to support expedite requests. Dependents already in the U.S. in valid P status can often extend or change status with USCIS to avoid overseas backlogs, though international travel still requires a valid visa in the passport.
