The USCIS issued a memo on December 22 stating that fee-funded activities will not be affected. None of the visa types RapidVisa handles will be impeded from filing and continuing with processing based on this memo.
Programs directly affected at the USCIS level are EB-5 investor visas, Conrad 30 Waiver Program for J-1 medical doctors, e-verify, and non-minister religious workers. If you’re a RapidVisa customer, these won’t include you.
It's been reported that over 400 immigration judges across the country who are currently furloughed, which has caused over 42,000 hearings to be canceled. If your case is pending a hearing, you may be in for even more delays due to this shutdown.
CNN reports that are also about 32,000 employees out of the 245,000 at the Department of Homeland Security who are not currently working. Included are some workers in charge of employment verification, research and background checks. It is unclear how much of an effect this could have or is having on RapidVisa customers.
So, while the shutdown won’t affect most RapidVisa customers at the USCIS or at embassies/consulates, it is possible your case may be delayed at the State Department.
