The situation
Government offices will be closed in the following countries due to the Eid-al-Fitr holiday:
- Algeria: Depending on lunar sightings, government offices may be closed June 15-16 (in which case this will not affect applicants since this is a weekend) or June 16-17 (in which case applicants will only be affected Sunday, June 17, since this is usually a government office workday).
- Azerbaijan: All government entities will be closed June 15-19. Appointments are unavailable and application processing will be delayed during this period.
- Kuwait: All government entities will be closed June 15-18.
- Oman: All government entities, including the Ministry of Manpower will be closed June 14-18.
- Saudi Arabia: Most government entities have been closed since June 7 and work is expected to resume on June 24. All the branches of the Directorate General of Passports will remain open for emergency cases.
- Turkey: Government offices will be closed the afternoon of June 14, June 15, and potentially June 18. Processing delays can be expected for initial and renewal applications due to government office closures.
- Qatar: All government entities will be closed between June 13-23, however the dates for the Qatar Central Bank and institutions under its jurisdiction as well as for the Qatar Financial Market Authority will be announced separately.
- United Arab Emirates: All government entities, including General Directorates of Residence and Foreigners Affairs and Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will remain closed June 14-17/18, depending on the moon sighting.
Impact
Employers and employees in the above and other Middle Eastern and European countries should expect longer processing times for various immigration applications due to the closure of government offices during Eid-al-Fitr holiday. Delays could continue in the upcoming weeks due to application backlogs resulting from the closures.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses how recent US immigration policy changes, including potential impacts on the H-1B lottery, are shaping employer planning.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses how recent US immigration policy changes, including potential impacts on the H-1B lottery, are shaping employer planning.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.