When the U.S. government has shut down temporarily in the past, the impact on the services provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been minimal. This is because the USCIS charges fees directly for their services. ISSS expects that the USCIS will continue to process immigration applications (including those for Optional Practical Training work permits) as normal. Applications to sponsor employees for future H-1B visa status or to extend their current H-1B status will likely be impacted by any government shutdown as that process involves the U.S. Department of Labor which is not a fee-based agency. Please reach out to ISSS if you have any questions. We are here to help.