Travel Tips

Traveling abroad on an H-1B visa? Here’s how a U.S. government shutdown could affect your trip

The 2025 U.S. government shutdown has disrupted key immigration services. If you’re an H-1B visa holder planning international travel, here’s what’s confirmed — and what to prepare for before you fly.

Planning to travel abroad this fall? If you’re on an H-1B visa, you may want to check your travel paperwork twice before booking that flight.

The United States officially entered a government shutdown on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass a new budget—temporarily freezing many federal operations.

While the sky isn’t falling, certain immigration services are now slower or partially paused, which can affect H-1B professionals preparing for international trips.

Here’s what’s confirmed so far — plus one major new policy update — and how to stay prepared.

In this article

How the U.S. government shutdown affects H-1B visa processing

Source: Shutterstock

Not every agency stops during a shutdown, but a few critical immigration offices are feeling the pinch:

Department of Labor (DOL):
The DOL has paused employment-based immigration services such as Labor Condition Applications (LCA), PERM filings, and prevailing-wage determinations (National Law Review, AILA Practice Alert).
➜ If your employer planned to file or extend an H-1B petition, expect delays until funding resumes.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
Because USCIS is fee-funded, it remains open, but processing may slow as inter-agency coordination stalls (KPMG GMS Flash Alert).
E-Verify:
The federal employment-verification portal is offline for now (National Law Review).

What H-1B visa holders should know before traveling abroad

Source: Shutterstock

For travelers already holding valid H-1B visas, most borders and consulates remain open—but expect slower service if the shutdown drags on.

Visa stamping & renewals:
U.S. embassies and consulates continue normal visa and passport services because they’re fee-funded, not budget-funded (Holland & Hart).
Still, reduced staffing could lead to appointment delays, so always check your consulate’s latest update on the U.S. State Department site.
Entry and reentry:
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are classified as essential personnel, so airports and land borders remain staffed (National Law Review). Reentry is still possible, though lines may move more slowly.
Document check:
Ensure your H-1B visa stamp and I-797 approval notice are valid through your return date. Traveling with expired paperwork can be risky while DOL systems are paused.

Travel risks for H-1B visa holders during the government shutdown

Even with ports of entry open, shutdown delays can ripple through the system:

Delayed filings – Employers can’t submit or amend LCAs until DOL systems restart.
Case backlogs – USCIS may accumulate slower response times due to reduced coordination.
Embassy appointment delays – Extended shutdowns may limit visa slots if local staff are furloughed.
No widespread closures yet – As of Oct 7 2025, no U.S. embassies have suspended visa services, and no new reentry restrictions are reported (Envoy Global USCIS update).

Overall, expect slower processing rather than outright travel bans.

📰 Policy alert: New $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions

Source: Shutterstock

On September 19 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.”

Starting September 21 2025, all new H-1B visa petitions (not renewals) must include a $100,000 one-time application fee (USCIS announcement).

The rule does not apply to existing H-1B holders or petitions filed before the cutoff date (USCIS FAQ).

According to Reuters, the administration is also proposing further rule changes, favoring higher-paid roles in the annual H-1B lottery.

This doesn’t close the visa category, but it could make new applications significantly more expensive and limit access for smaller employers.

Smart travel steps during the H-1B visa and government shutdown

Source: Shutterstock

If you still plan to travel, take these practical steps to minimize disruption:

Avoid non-urgent international trips if your visa renewal or transfer is pending.
Carry printed copies of your I-797, employment letter, and recent pay slips for inspection.
Monitor official updates from USCIS and the State Department throughout your trip.
Book flexible tickets and choose refundable fares.
Stay connected abroad with Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM to receive real-time immigration alerts and contact your HR or attorney if needed.

What’s confirmed so far for H-1B visa holders during the government shutdown

✅ The U.S. government shutdown began October 1 2025 (Wikipedia).
✅ DOL immigration services (LCA, PERM) are paused (AILA).
✅ USCIS is open but slower (KPMG GMS Alert).
✅ E-Verify is offline (National Law Review).
✅ CBP continues border processing (National Law Review).
✅ Embassies remain open with possible staffing delays (Holland & Hart).
✅ New H-1B petitions now require a $100K fee (USCIS)

(Reuters also confirms no major airport disruptions as of Oct 8 2025 — Reuters report).

Common questions about the H-1B visa and government shutdown

Can I travel abroad with the H-1B visa during a government shutdown?

Yes — most U.S. embassies and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations remain open because they’re fee-funded or classified as essential. However, DOL services like LCAs are paused, which could delay visa extensions.
→ National Law Review | Holland & Hart

Will my pending H-1B extension be affected?

Yes, if your petition requires a Labor Condition Application from the DOL. Since the DOL’s immigration unit is currently offline, those cases are temporarily on hold. USCIS remains operational, but may process more slowly.
→ AILA Practice Alert

Does the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee apply to renewals?

No — the new one-time $100,000 filing fee applies only to new petitions filed after September 21 2025. Existing H-1B holders and renewals are exempt.
→ USCIS Announcement

Could the government shutdown cause flight disruptions?

As of October 8 2025, no major flight cancellations or delays have been linked to the shutdown, according to Reuters. Airports and TSA remain staffed as essential operations.

Has the government shutdown ended?

As of October 10, 2025, the U.S. government shutdown is still ongoing.
Congress has not yet reached a new budget agreement, so many federal operations remain limited. Essential services — including Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — continue to function.

When is the next vote to reopen the government?

As of October 10 2025, there is no confirmed date for the next congressional vote to reopen the government. Several reports suggest the Senate could reconvene around October 14 to consider new funding measures. Until then, the shutdown is expected to continue.
→ Delaware Online | CBS News

Stay informed, stay connected, travel smart with Holafly

Uncertainty doesn’t have to ruin your travel plans. Keep your documents organized, follow official channels, and maintain reliable connectivity while abroad. Check Holafly eSIM plans here.