The US Embassy clarifies the visa, the passport service is not affected by the government shutdown

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has rejected fears of the possibility of disturbances in consular operations during the ongoing partial closure of the American government.

In a statement posted on the official X grip on Wednesday, the embassy confirmed that visa and passport services would continue to be unbroken despite closing.

“Because the interval in allocation, this X account will not be updated regularly until the complete operation is continued, except for urgent safety and security information,” the statement said.

“At present, passport schedules and visa transit services in the United States and at the US embassy and consulate abroad will continue during the interval in allocation according to the situation.”

Also read: US Embassy warns Nigerians: Overstay visas can trigger travel ban

The official explained that while the consular promise would take place according to plan, the embassy social media page would not post routine updates until the full government funding was restored.

The statement followed concerns among Nigerians – especially students, business travelers, and families – who were afraid that Washington’s budget deadlock might disrupt visa processing schedules and travel arrangements.

The closing of the US government is now starting after the Congress and the President failed to reach a budget agreement and forced several departments and federal institutions to suspend operations.

Although important services such as the military, postal services, and social security programs remain functional, hundreds of thousands of federal employees face unpaid leave until parliament members complete the deadlock.

Timothy Enithews