Immigration
Immigration central for reliable resources and the latest developments in U.S. immigration laws, policies, and procedures for immigrants worldwide.
I-693 Processing During Shutdown: USCIS Accepts with I-485
USCIS remains operational during shutdowns and will accept and process sealed Form I-693 medicals. Exams signed on/after Nov 1, 2023 have indefinite validity. From Dec 2, 2024, USCIS expects I-693…
Can Employers File H-1B Petitions and LCA During a Shutdown?
When the Department of Labor shuts down, OFLC stops certifying LCAs and disables FLAG, preventing new H-1B filings…
Are VAWA-Based EADs Processed During Federal Government Shutdowns?
USCIS, funded mainly by fees, continues adjudicating VAWA I-360 petitions and I-765 C31 EADs via the Vermont Service…
What Happens to P Visa Appointments During a Federal Shutdown
P visa interviews usually continue during the October 1, 2025 federal shutdown because fees fund operations, but reduced…
H-4 EAD Pending 12 Months: Shutdown Adjudication and Delays
As of October 2025, USCIS keeps processing H-4 EAD applications during a shutdown because it’s fee-funded. DOL pauses…
Shutdown Impact on T Visa Derivative Petitions: USCIS Continues
USCIS continues processing T visa derivative petitions during a federal shutdown because it is fee‑funded. Form I‑914, Supplement…
Do O-1 and P-1 Petitions Still Process During a Shutdown?
USCIS and fee-funded consular services usually continue handling O-1 and P-1 petitions during a shutdown; DOL suspensions do…
E-Verify Offline During Shutdown: Employers Must Complete I-9
USCIS suspended E-Verify nationwide on October 1, 2025, at about 11:45 a.m. Employers must still complete Form I-9s,…
E-3D Employment Authorization During Government Shutdown: What Happens
A government shutdown deactivates FLAG and stops LCA certifications, pausing E-3D work authorizations. USCIS stays open but cannot…
Can Employers File New H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions During a Shutdown?
During a government shutdown, the DOL stops LCA certification via FLAG, blocking H‑1B, H‑1B1, and E‑3 petition filings.…