As the US government begins a partial shutdown due to a failure in passing key funding legislation, American embassies across the Gulf have issued clear directives to residents and travelers. While visa and passport services for previously scheduled appointments and applications will continue for now, the embassies have suspended regular updates and social media communications, citing the funding lapse. Here’s a comprehensive look at what the shutdown means for consular services in the GCC.
US Missions in the Gulf scale back public updates
As the US government enters a funding lapse, American embassies across the Gulf have scaled back routine communications on social media, citing the suspension of non-essential functions. Embassies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain have issued identical advisories stating that their official X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram accounts will not be updated regularly until further notice. A message posted by the US Mission to the UAE reads:“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.” This message has been mirrored across US diplomatic missions in the GCC, as well as in other regions. The suspension of regular updates reflects a region-wide operational adjustment in response to the federal shutdown, which affects multiple agencies across the US government.
Visa and passport services continue, but subject to change
Despite reduced public communications, the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has confirmed that key consular services remain operational, both domestically and abroad. In an official update, the Department stated: “At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. We will not update this account until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information. For information on our services and operating status, visit http://travel.state.gov.” The Department also clarified that consular operations during the shutdown will span passport and visa functions and assistance for American citizens abroad, though certain domestic support functions linked to these services will be suspended. While the continuation of scheduled visa and passport appointments is assured for now, the embassies have stressed that operations are subject to change, depending on how long the shutdown lasts and how it evolves. Residents and travelers in the GCC with upcoming appointments or urgent consular needs are advised to consult the official State Department website at travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date information on embassy services, appointment status, and emergency contact guidance.
Why the shutdown happened, and who’s affected
The shutdown began just after midnight local time on Wednesday (8am UAE time) when US lawmakers failed to pass the required federal spending legislation before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Under US law, Congress must approve appropriations bills annually to fund federal agencies and departments. This year, however, no such bills were passed in time, triggering a lapse in government funding.This marks the first US government shutdown since December 2018, which occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term and became the longest in American history, lasting 35 days. The current shutdown stems from a deepening political standoff in Washington, primarily between President Donald Trump’s administration and Congressional Democrats.At the core of the disagreement is healthcare funding. Democratic lawmakers have demanded the inclusion of a permanent extension of health insurance subsidies, especially those under the Obamacare program benefiting low-income Americans.In contrast, Republican lawmakers advocated for a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would have temporarily extended current funding levels through November 21, without any changes or additional spending commitments.The deadlock escalated late Tuesday night when Senate Democrats rejected a House-passed stopgap funding bill, just hours before the deadline. With no resolution in place by midnight, federal operations were forced to shut down partially.During the shutdown, the US federal government halts all “non-essential” operations, while essential services continue to function, often without pay for staff. Among the services suspended are:
- Operations at national parks
- Activities within certain federal agencies, including the Department of Education and NASA
Meanwhile, essential personnel, particularly those involved in public safety and security — are required to continue working. These include:
- Air traffic controllers
- Border patrol agents
- TSA officers at airports
- Federal law enforcement, such as the FBI and CIA
These critical services remain operational, but many employees are not being paid during the shutdown, a common feature of past federal funding lapses. Other key government functions that continue to operate include the US military, the Postal Service, and social support programs like Social Security and food stamps.According to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, as many as 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed without pay each day during the shutdown. While consular operations across the Gulf remain stable for now, the longer-term impact of the US government shutdown will depend on how quickly Congress reaches a funding resolution. If the impasse persists, it could lead to delays in processing, strain on internal support systems, and disruption to non-urgent consular services.In his first public response since the shutdown began, President Donald Trump directed blame at Democratic lawmakers, stating during a briefing at the White House:“So we’d be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected. And they’re Democrats, they’re going to be Democrats.”Trump later expanded on his position in a post on Truth Social, calling on his party to act decisively:“Republicans must use this opportunity of Democrat forced closure to clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud. Billions of Dollars can be saved.”On Capitol Hill, the Senate is expected to reconvene on Friday, with possible sessions continuing into the weekend. However, the House of Representatives remains in recess, slowing progress toward any immediate deal. The timing is further complicated by the observance of Yom Kippur, which could delay legislative proceedings in the Senate.As the shutdown continues, federal services not deemed essential remain at risk of further disruption — both in the United States and abroad.
