The US Embassy in India has assured applicants that passport and visa services will continue despite the government shutdown that began in Washington on Wednesday.
“At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” the embassy posted on X. It added that further updates would only be issued for urgent safety and security matters, while service information remains available at travel.state.gov.
The announcement came as the United States entered its first government shutdown in six years after the Senate failed to pass a stopgap funding bill. The measure fell short in a 55–45 vote, forcing federal agencies to suspend operations as the deadline expired at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
President Donald Trump escalated the standoff, warning of layoffs. “We’ll be laying off a lot of people. They’re going to be Democrats,” he told reporters ahead of the vote.
The shutdown—America’s 15th since 1981—is expected to cost an estimated $400 million per day and has led to furlough notices for 750,000 federal employees. Key impacts include the suspension of the September jobs report, halted pollution cleanups, stalled small-business loans, and the closure of Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. Military personnel, border agents, and air traffic controllers will continue working without pay.
At the heart of the impasse is $1.7 trillion in federal agency funding. Democrats are demanding the renewal of Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans insist the issue should be handled separately.
With negotiations stalled, federal workers and global partners face uncertainty—even as U.S. embassies abroad pledge to keep critical consular services running.
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