Washington, D.C. — October 1, 2025:
The U.S. federal government has entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to approve funding for the 2026 fiscal year, causing disruptions across multiple agencies.
Approximately 900,000 federal employees have been furloughed without pay, while 700,000 essential workers continue their duties without immediate compensation. Critical sectors like military operations, border security, healthcare, and postal services remain functional under emergency provisions of the Antideficiency Act.
However, non-essential agencies, including national parks, research institutions, and regulatory offices, have either shut down or significantly reduced services.
Impact of US Government Shutdown on Immigration and Visa Services
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains operational since it is funded by application fees, allowing it to continue processing most immigration applications and Green Card petitions.
However, programs such as E-Verify are suspended during the shutdown.
At the same time, the U.S. Department of Labour (DOL) has halted processing of H-1B, H-2B, and PERM labour certifications, delaying work visa and employment-based Green Card filings.
Meanwhile, U.S. embassies and consulates continue offering limited visa and passport services, as user fees support these. Some consulates, however, have cautioned applicants about longer wait times or reduced scheduling capacity.
Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 Lottery Delayed
The Diversity Visa Lottery 2027 has been temporarily delayed due to the shutdown and the rollout of a new $1 application fee. The State Department confirmed that the DV Program will resume “as required by law” once the government reopens.
Officials reassured applicants that the DV Lottery Program remains protected under U.S. law and cannot be eliminated without an act of Congress.
When Will Services Resume?
Lawmakers are working toward a continuing resolution to restore government operations. Once approved, federal employees will return to work, and agencies such as USCIS, DOL, and the State Department will fully resume processing.
Experts predict the shutdown will be short-lived, and immigration-related services, including the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery, will restart promptly after funding approval.