Visa, passport services unaffected by govt shutdown, US Embassy tells Nigerians
By Jeffrey Agbo
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reassured applicants that visa and passport services will continue despite the partial shutdown of the US government.
It further explained that its social media platforms would not be updated regularly until government funding is restored, except for “urgent safety and security information.”
In a notice posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, the embassy stated: “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information.
“At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit 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 clarification comes amid growing concern among Nigerians that the shutdown in Washington could disrupt visa processing, student travel, and other consular services.
The shutdown began after US lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to reach an agreement on a new budget. The standoff is tied to disputes over Democratic demands for health care funding, which Republicans have opposed.
Trump, defending the closure, argued that it could help him cut programmes linked to Democratic priorities.
Although essential services such as the military, postal service, and welfare programmes like Social Security and food stamps remain unaffected, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed daily without pay until a deal is reached.
This marks the first US government shutdown since the record 35-day closure nearly seven years ago, during Trump’s first term. While budget battles in Congress are frequent, most have been resolved before leading to shutdowns.
A government shutdown occurs when the US President and Congress fail to approve a spending plan, forcing non-essential federal departments and agencies to suspend operations until funding is restored.
Since 1976, when the modern budget process was established, the US has experienced 21 shutdowns.
