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U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India Close for Holiday Period
The United States Embassy in New Delhi and all U.S. consulates across India — including mission offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata — are officially closed for routine services from Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, December 26, 2025. The closure follows a Presidential Executive Order issued by the U.S. government and coincides with the Christmas holiday period, prompting diplomatic missions worldwide, including those in India, to suspend normal operations. During this three-day period, routine consular functions such as visa interviews, passport renewals, consular assistance, and document verification services will be unavailable.
The announcement was made by the U.S. Mission in India on Tuesday, December 23, through an official notice shared on its social media channels. In the statement, the mission reiterated that the closure of all diplomatic offices in India is being implemented in line with the executive order mandating that all executive departments and federal agencies of the U.S. government be closed on these dates.
Why Are the U.S. Missions Closing?
The closure is part of a standard practice carried out by the U.S. government during major federal holidays, especially around the Christmas season. This year’s shutdown follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, directing federal departments and agencies, including U.S. diplomatic missions overseas, to observe the holiday by suspending normal work duties on December 24 (Christmas Eve), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26. Official communications state that the closure is intended to give federal employees a coordinated holiday break.
Services Impacted During the Closure
From December 24 through December 26, routine services at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in India will be suspended. This includes:
- Visa services: All scheduled interviews for non-immigrant and immigrant visas, including categories such as tourist (B-2), work visas (H-1B, H-4), student visas (F-1), and exchange visitor visas (J-1), will not take place during the shutdown period.
- Passport processing: U.S. citizens in India seeking passport renewals, copies of consular reports, and related services will be unable to access these until normal operations resume.
- Document verification and notarial services: Routine consular assistance such as affidavits, power of attorney services, and document attestations will remain unavailable across all mission locations.
The closures affect all U.S. diplomatic missions in India, reflecting a uniform stoppage of operations across major cities where Americans or Indian citizens would typically access consular services.
Advice for Applicants and Travelers
Consular applicants who had visas or appointments scheduled during the closure period are being advised to reschedule their appointments ahead of time or adjust their travel plans accordingly. Mission postings recommend that applicants monitor the official U.S. Embassy and consulate websites or social media channels for updates on rescheduling and service resumptions.
Travelers who were planning to visit the United States around the holiday period are urged to take the closure into account, as delays in visa issuance or processing could lead to travel disruptions. Given that December 24–26 are traditionally high-travel days, with many flights departing for holiday destinations, applicants are encouraged to make plans well in advance and submit documentation before the closure begins.
Emergency and Essential Services
While routine consular services are suspended during this period, the U.S. Embassy and consulates have noted that emergency services for U.S. citizens may still be available. This generally includes support for urgent matters such as medical emergencies, arrests, deaths, or lost passports, where immediate help is needed. Emergency assistance details are typically provided on embassy websites and included in automated messages that applicants receive when contacting mission offices.
Despite the holiday closure, consular officials stress that applicants should plan their interactions and processing requirements proactively to avoid complications. In particular, individuals needing to travel for urgent reasons or those whose schedules are already on tight timelines should consider contacting the embassy or consulate as soon as possible for guidance before the closure takes effect.
Context: Consular Services and Holiday Closures
Holiday closures of U.S. diplomatic missions overseas are not uncommon and typically occur during major U.S. holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. These closures reflect U.S. domestic federal holiday schedules, which also affect federal employees stationed at missions abroad. The decision to halt routine consular services is part of a broader pattern of aligning overseas operations with federal holiday observances.
In the context of India, this closure comes at a time when consular officials have been managing already high demand for visa services, particularly for employment-related categories like H-1B work visas and student visas, which have seen increased scrutiny and longer processing times this year. Applicants impacted by these trends are advised to stay updated on evolving consular schedules and procedural adjustments that may extend beyond the holiday period.
When Will Services Resume?
Normal consular operations at the U.S. Embassy and all consulates in India are expected to resume after the holiday break, with routine services typically restarting on Saturday, December 27, or early the following week. However, it is important to note that backlogs may occur as services restart, given the accumulation of pending appointments and administrative work. Applicants should anticipate some delays in processing even after the embassy and consulates reopen.
Conclusion
The temporary closure of the U.S. Embassy and consulates in India from December 24 to 26, 2025 reflects a broader federal holiday observance mandated by a Presidential Executive Order. While routine consular services will be unavailable during this period, emergency assistance remains accessible. Visa applicants and travelers are encouraged to plan accordingly by rescheduling appointments or completing necessary consular needs ahead of time. Staying informed through official channels will be key to navigating any travel or processing challenges during this holiday period.
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