Washington D.C.: The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, triggered by a stalemate over Senate bills, has halted several federal operations, including the processing of H-1B visas. Federal employees are not being paid, and many government offices remain closed, directly affecting visa applicants and employers. Immigration attorney Nicole Gunar confirmed that H-1B processing will resume only after the shutdown ends.
The H-1B visa process requires employers to first obtain Labor Condition Application (LCA) certification from the Department of Labor before filing petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with associated fees paid by companies. While fee collection continues, the Department of Labor cannot approve LCAs due to the lack of allocated federal funds during the shutdown.
This disruption is expected to impact new H-1B allocations, employer transfers, and changes in visa status. Authorities have warned that applicants and companies may face significant delays until Congress restores funding and federal offices return to normal operations.