President Trump’s executive order giving most federal employees paid leave on December 24 and 26 will close USCIS field offices, passport agencies and many consulates for a four-day stretch—but the American Bankers Association (ABA) confirmed today that such closures do not alter “business-day” definitions in federal regulations. That clarification extends to immigration filings and rescission periods tied to calendar-day rules, such as the H-2A and H-2B recruitment windows and the 30-day E-Verify resolution period.
In practical terms, a PERM recruitment newspaper ad scheduled for December 26 still counts toward the mandatory 30-day posting period, and an I-485 applicant has no extra time to respond to a Request for Evidence mailed on December 23. The same applies to Department of Labor audit responses and SEVIS status deadlines for F-1 students.
![Holiday agency shutdown won’t extend compliance or visa-filing deadlines, regulators say]()
Employers should, however, anticipate USPS and courier slow-downs. Immigration lawyers recommend e-filing wherever possible and building 48-hour buffers around statutory cut-offs. Global mobility teams should notify foreign nationals who plan to rely on in-person holiday InfoPass appointments that those slots are canceled and must be re-booked in January.
In the meantime, VisaHQ can help organizations and travelers stay on track despite government office closures. The company’s online platform—accessible at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—offers expedited visa and passport processing, real-time application tracking and detailed guidance on country-specific requirements. HR managers can use the service to pre-screen documentation and schedule courier pickups, ensuring that applications are ready to submit as soon as federal agencies and consulates reopen.
Consular sections abroad that follow the U.S. holiday schedule—including India, Mexico and the Philippines—will also be closed, adding to existing appointment backlogs. Travelers with urgent needs should contact posts through the normal emergency channels but should not expect routine services until December 29.
In practical terms, a PERM recruitment newspaper ad scheduled for December 26 still counts toward the mandatory 30-day posting period, and an I-485 applicant has no extra time to respond to a Request for Evidence mailed on December 23. The same applies to Department of Labor audit responses and SEVIS status deadlines for F-1 students.
Employers should, however, anticipate USPS and courier slow-downs. Immigration lawyers recommend e-filing wherever possible and building 48-hour buffers around statutory cut-offs. Global mobility teams should notify foreign nationals who plan to rely on in-person holiday InfoPass appointments that those slots are canceled and must be re-booked in January.
In the meantime, VisaHQ can help organizations and travelers stay on track despite government office closures. The company’s online platform—accessible at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—offers expedited visa and passport processing, real-time application tracking and detailed guidance on country-specific requirements. HR managers can use the service to pre-screen documentation and schedule courier pickups, ensuring that applications are ready to submit as soon as federal agencies and consulates reopen.
Consular sections abroad that follow the U.S. holiday schedule—including India, Mexico and the Philippines—will also be closed, adding to existing appointment backlogs. Travelers with urgent needs should contact posts through the normal emergency channels but should not expect routine services until December 29.
