IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The Christmas and New Year’s holidays will slow immigration processing across much of the world at the end of the year and in early 2018.
What does the change mean? Applicants should anticipate closures of government and private offices for at least two days on and around Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Many countries celebrate longer breaks and shut down for several weeks.
- Implementation time frame: Now through early January.
- Visas/permits affected: All immigration-related services.
- Impact on processing times: Processing times will be longer and a backlog of cases may develop immediately following the New Year when offices reopen.
- Business impact: Travelers should factor in longer wait times and limited visa appointments when estimating processing times and planning business schedules.
Click here for a summary of closures by region with noted countries that observe longer breaks.
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