Foreign nationals can still apply for B-1/B-2 visas at U.S. consulates during the October 2025 government shutdown, with appointments and processing continuing in most locations as fee-funded services. The State Department’s consular operations are not paid from annual congressional budgets, so embassies and consulates remain open for routine visa work as local conditions allow. Applicants should prepare for possible delays, especially if posts face staffing shortages or heavy demand.
Consular officials say there is no blanket halt to B-1/B-2 visa issuance tied to the government shutdown. Instead, the impact varies by post. Some U.S. consulates may reduce non-emergency services if the shutdown persists or if local fee funding runs low, which could slow interviews, document review, or printing of visas. Others may continue near-normal operations depending on staffing and security conditions on the ground.
Operations During the Shutdown
In practical terms, most B-1/B-2 visa appointments are moving forward. That includes fingerprinting, interviews, and visa issuance once cases are approved. Because visa services are primarily supported by application fees paid by the public, the core machinery of consular work keeps running even when other parts of the federal government pause. This applies across the United States 🇺🇸 mission network.
However, applicants should watch for local notices from U.S. consulates, which sometimes limit services during long shutdowns. If a post scales back, it may prioritize:
- Emergencies
- Diplomatic and official visas
- Travelers with urgent humanitarian reasons
Routine travel for tourism or short business trips could see longer waits for interview slots or slower post-interview processing.
The Department of State has not announced a shutdown-specific suspension of B-1/B-2 visas. Any pause you see at a given post will likely be tied to staffing levels, security concerns, or workload, not to a policy decision ending visitor visa processing. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, fee-funded structures help keep these services moving, but applicants should expect “pockets of delay” in places already facing heavy backlogs.
The shutdown does not close the border or stop inspections. Customs and Border Protection continues operations, so international travel and inspections at airports and land crossings go on. That said, a visitor visa allows you to travel to a port of entry; it does not guarantee admission. CBP officers still decide if you meet entry rules when you arrive.
There is a separate, unrelated factor that could affect some travelers: a Presidential Proclamation that took effect in June 2025 placed limits on visitor visa issuance for certain nationalities under specific conditions. Those limits stand regardless of the shutdown, and they apply only to the countries and circumstances named in the order. If you think you might be covered by that measure, check the latest consular guidance before booking travel.
What Applicants Should Do Now
Applicants planning B-1/B-2 travel should move ahead, while building in extra time. Key steps include:
- Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-160 and keep your confirmation page. You can access the form through the Consular Electronic Application Center at Form DS-160 and the Consular Electronic Application Center at CEAC (DS-160).
- Pay the visa fee and schedule the earliest available interview at your chosen post. If you already have an appointment, keep it unless the post instructs otherwise.
- Monitor your specific embassy or consulate website for local updates on appointment availability and processing times. Conditions can change quickly if staff levels shift.
- Prepare strong documentation to help your case move smoothly:
- Proof of ties to your home country
- Planned travel dates and itinerary
- Evidence of funds for your trip
- Details on your business or tourism purpose (invitations, event schedules, etc.)
- If your travel is urgent, watch for any emergency appointment options posted by your location. Some posts open limited emergency slots even when routine calendars are tight.
Applicants should also plan for modest delays after interviews. Even with approval, visa printing and passport return can take longer if a post has fewer staff. If your travel is time-sensitive, avoid nonrefundable tickets until you have your passport with the visa.
Families and business travelers face different pressures:
- Families: school breaks and peak holidays often drive tight schedules; consider applying well ahead of peak seasons.
- Business visitors: trip dates may tie to trade shows, training, or client meetings; secure documentation showing why you must travel on specific dates if you request an expedited slot.
If you are changing posts because your home post has long waits, check third-country national rules. Some U.S. consulates accept outside applicants; others restrict access. Policies vary by city, and shutdown-related staffing may make posts less flexible about out-of-district cases.
Official Guidance and Context
The State Department’s public guidance stresses that visa services continue “as the situation permits” during a lapse in federal funding. For the latest general information on visa services, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs at U.S. Visas – Bureau of Consular Affairs. For post-specific alerts—such as reduced schedules, temporary closures, or emergency service rules—check the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply.
The larger immigration system runs on mixed funding streams. Consular services are fee-funded, which allows U.S. consulates to keep operating during a government shutdown. Other agencies rely partly on appropriations, but front-line border operations keep going. This split helps explain why travelers still find interview windows open even when other parts of the federal government are closed.
Remember:
- A B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for short stays for tourism or limited business activities—meetings, conferences, and contract negotiations, not employment.
- Officers may be especially alert to purpose-of-travel questions when appointments are scarce. Bring clear, simple proof of your plan: an itinerary, hotel bookings, event invitations, or meeting schedules. If visiting family, carry letters or emails with dates and addresses.
Because shutdown timelines are uncertain, flexibility matters. If your post signals it will narrow services to emergencies only, consider whether your trip can shift. If not, gather proof of urgency to request an expedite where offered. If your appointment is canceled, you’ll likely be rebooked when calendars reopen, but exact timing will depend on local conditions and backlogs.
Key takeaway: Foreign nationals can apply for B-1/B-2 visas during the government shutdown, and U.S. consulates are open for most routine work. The main risk is slower movement through parts of the process. A careful plan—finished DS-160, complete documents, and regular checks of your post’s updates—gives you the best chance to keep your travel on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Foreign nationals can continue to apply for B-1/B-2 visitor visas during the October 2025 government shutdown because most consular operations are fee-funded and therefore remain open as local conditions permit. Routine services such as fingerprinting, interviews and visa issuance are generally proceeding, but impact varies across posts. Some consulates may slow or limit non-emergency services if staffing falls or fee resources are strained, causing longer waits for appointments, processing, or visa printing. Applicants should complete the DS-160, pay fees, keep appointments unless instructed otherwise, prepare strong proof of ties and travel plans, monitor their consulate’s updates, and allow extra time, especially for time-sensitive trips. Separate visa limits from the June 2025 Presidential Proclamation still apply regardless of the shutdown.
