Republicans and Democrats cannot find an agreement on the next US budget. Democrats refuse to accept the planned cuts in healthcare subsidies for low-income individuals or those affecting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Most public services are blocked. What is the effect or this situation on the processing of ESTA and visa applications?
Little impact on the processing of ESTAs
Good news for those travelling to the United States. Despite the US Government shutdown, ESTA applications are still being processed. There are hardly any delays, despite the shutdown. This is because the ESTA system is mainly funded by the applicants themselves, and therefore does not depend directly on the US budget.
Message on social media and government websites
Several US government websites, such as the American Embassy in Mexico's X account, display a message stating that no further updates be made until they have enough funding to continue. US embassies and consulates will remain open and continue to operate if the situation allows it.
The American Immigration Council is not optimistic.
The American Immigration Council (AIC) has been critic about this. This organisation makes research about immigration policies and provides legal assistance. According to the Council, even services funded by the applicants themselves may be suspended. This could happen, for example, if an embassy or consulate does not have enough budget to continue its work.
Delays in some procedures
Application procedures for visas like the H-1B and the E-3, which require the cooperation of other government agencies, are experiencing delays. These visas allow US companies to temporarily hire highly skilled foreign workers.