US Government Shutdown: Funding Crisis and Student Status

As of October 1, 2025, the Trump-administration led US government is in effective shutdown

Before we get into it, let’s take a step back - what is a government shutdown and how did the US find itself facing one?

With reference to the United States, a government shutdown occurs when the federal government faces a funding gap before the start of the next fiscal year. This means that the necessary funding legislation which was needed to finance government failed to pass. When this occurs, non-essential services and operations in federal agencies - which may include those that international students often rely on - come to a halt

So what now?

Right now, negotiations are underway to reach a funding agreement but as of October 9, a stalemate has continued. According to the GOP Whip’s office, further voting won’t take place until October 14 - meaning that shutdown will continue on into the next week. The first of the financial impact has already made itself known as families across the US - particularly those in military - brace for potential missed paychecks

But the question on everyone’s minds - what does government shutdown mean for international students on F-1 and H-1B visas?

Well, this is not the first government shutdown that the United States has faced - it’s actually the eleventh, with the shortest lasting a mere 4 hours and the longest being 35 days during Trump’s last presidential term - so we can look both at past trends and the current landscape

1. Travel

Airports have been one of the first areas to be impacted. With the Federal Aviation Administration reporting air traffic control staffing shortages, flight delays and cancellations have been observed at major airports throughout the country

2. USCIS - US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Generally speaking, USCIS should not face any major impact as it is fee-funded, and so applications - including F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 OPT STEM Extension, and H-1B - should continue as regular

However, certain applications may require involvement from third-party government agencies, and if these agencies are facing closure due to shutdown then USCIS processing may also face delay

3. Visas - Appointments, Interviews, and Issuance

Historically, visa operations at US Consulates and Embassies across the globe have faced delays and temporary pauses during previous government shutdowns. Several US institutions - including MIT - have advised their students not to travel outside the US where avoidable to the best degree

4. SSN - Social Security Number

The SSA (Social Security Administration) is considered an essential service, and so most operations will continue to be active. As an international student you can still apply for your SSN, but take caution that you may face delays. During previous shutdowns, SSN application processing has seen pauses which left international students unable to obtain an SSN until normalcy resumed

5. E-Verify

E-Verify, the system used to confirm eligibility of new hires, is generally unavailable during shutdown. However, the system was brought back online on October 7, and processing is now active - although how long it will remain active if a shutdown continues is unclear. In worst case scenarios, international students can expect hiring and onbaording delays

6. Labor Condition Application

In the case of H-1B visas, individuals must have a US Department of Labor-approved Labor Condition Application before a visa petition can be sent to the USCIS. During a shutdown, the Department of Labor is among the first to be impacted, and presently, new LCA filings are on hold

So, international students looking to pursue their H-1B path are in turn for delays

All in all, international students are being told to sit tight and bide time - and if they’re in need of support, to reach out to their university’s international student offices

How we can Help

At DreamBridge, our core offering is community. While we have no direct way to assist students facing application and filing delays, we are here to offer support and guidance

The best way to reach us? Through our private Skool community - join for free, post a question, and receive guidance from a community that is deeply immersed in the workings of the US educational and corporate system. To join, click here

Weekly Highlight: A Masterclass in Networking with Taha Mansoor

With uncertainty looming and corporate competition rising, it’s essential to become a pro at networking. For international students specifically, networking can be the tool that opens doors and puts opportunities within reach

In this 90-minute masterclass, Taha Mansoor (BlackRock, Bloomberg, Point72) outlines his experience and shares tips on how to build and leverage a network in the US

Watch here

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Tabarak Rehman

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