Immigration Processing During the Holiday Season
December 11, 2020
At a Glance
- During the holiday season, many government offices worldwide will close or have reduced staff and operating hours, likely resulting in processing delays for work permits, residence permits and visas over the coming weeks and into the new year.
- Employers and foreign nationals with travel or relocation plans between now and early 2021 should contact their immigration service provider to discuss the impact of holiday closures on their specific circumstances.
- These closures are in addition to closures of government offices due to COVID-19. Check Fragomen’s dedicated website for up-to-date information on COVID-19-related government closures, travel restrictions and other related information.
Government authorities are expected to close December 25, 2020, and January 1-4, 2021. Further closure dates may be announced at short notice. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period may delay processing times.
The immigration authority will be closed January 1 and January 12, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices are expected to close December 24, 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-28, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority in Vienna will be closed December 24-25 and 31, 2020, and January 1 and 6, 2021. Immigration authorities in all locations will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021 and are expected to either be closed a full day or at 12:00 (local time) on December 24 and 31, 2020. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period may delay processing times.
Government offices will be closed December 31, 2020 and January 1-4 and 20, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on December 16 and 25, 2020.
Government offices will be closed on December 16-17, 2020, December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 3, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 7-8, 2021. To compensate, the immigration authority will be open on January 16, 2021 (Saturday).
Regional employment ministries are closed on the following days:
- Brussels: December 25, 2020 until January 4, 2021
- Flanders: December 25, 2020 until January 1, 2021
- Wallonia: December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021
Federal and municipal authorities will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021 and are expected to be closed or close early on other days between December 24, 2020-January 1, 2021. This is typically announced at short notice. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period is expected to delay processing.
Government offices are expected to close between 12:00 and 15:00 (local time) on December 24, 2020, and will be closed December 25 and 28, 2020, and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 24-25, 2020, and January 1-2 and 6-7, 2021. In general, a reduced staff during the year-end period is expected to delay processing times.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-28, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The Federal Police and other government offices are expected to close at 12:00 (local time) on December 24 and 31, 2020, and remain closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 24-28, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021
Government offices will be closed on December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
There are no government office closures during the holiday period.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Foreign nationals entering Canada on those days should still be able to apply for work permits at ports of entry, although there will be reduced staff.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices are expected to close at 12:00 (local time) on December 24 through December 25, 2020 and at 12:00 (local time) on December 31, 2020 through January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed January 1, 2021.
Government offices are expected to be closed December 18, 2020 through January 3, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. Government offices are expected to close early on December 24 and 31, 2020 and January 5, 2021. This is typically only formally confirmed on the day before closure. Government offices will have limited staff between December 24, 2020 and January 7, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. Government offices will be operating at limited capacity on December 31, 2020.
Government offices will be closed from December 23, 2020 up to and including January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 4, 2021.
The immigration authorities will be closed from December 24, 2020 up to and including January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on December 25, 2020, and January 1, 4, 21 and 25, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on December 25, 2020, and January 1, 2021. Additionally, there may be delays due to a reduced workforce.
Government offices are expected to be closed on January 1, 7 and 25, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 23, 2020 through January 4, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 26 and 28 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed January 7, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 24-25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period will delay processing.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020, and January 1, 2021. Applicants should anticipate processing delays due to limited staff during the holiday period, both at consular posts, Office Français de l’Immigration et Intégration (OFII) offices and local prefectures.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1 and 7, 2021.
Government offices are expected to close December 25, 2020, December 26, 2020 and January 1, 2021 throughout Germany. Additionally, in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt government offices are expected to close on January 6, 2021. Further closures may be announced at short notice. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period will affect appointment availability and application processing.
Government offices are expected to be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. Government offices are expected to close at noon on December 24 and 31, 2020. Applicants are advised to submit applications on December 20, 2020 at the latest.
The immigration and labor authorities will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020, and January 1, 2021. Additionally, delays may be expected due to reduced workforce after December 15, 2020.
The immigration and labor authorities will be closed December 24, 25, 30 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021. The Supreme Court of Justice (in charge of document certifications) will be closed December 16, 2020 through January 6, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Public offices are expected to be closed December 24-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021. To compensate, public offices will exceptionally open December 12, 2020 (Saturday). Between December 24, 2020 and January 1, 2021, all public offices will operate with limited staff, which may delay processing times.
Government offices will be closed December 24-25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021. From December 21, 2020 until January 4, 2021, the Immigration office will be open for pre-scheduled appointments until 14:00 (local time); the Directorate of Labour and the National Register remain closed due to COVID-19 but continue to offer phone services on these days until 15:00 (local time).
All Indian Missions abroad and local immigration offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Delays in government processing are anticipated in December and early January due to reduced staff.
Government offices will be closed December 24-25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Delays due to limited staffing should be expected around this time.
Government offices will be closed on January 1 and 6, 2021.
Government offices will be closed beginning December 27, 2020 and will reopen on January 3, 2021.
Fragomen expects Irish immigration authorities to be closed December 25 and 28, 2020 and January 1, 2021, with limited opening hours likely on December 24 and 31, 2020. The Department of Justice (Immigration Service Delivery) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment typically announce holiday closures in mid-December. Applicants should anticipate processing delays due to limited staff during the holiday period.
Though there are no scheduled closures in December or January, some consulates may have limited opening hours due to regional bank holidays. It is advisable to check consular and government office websites before visiting.
Immigration authorities will be closed December 8, 25-26, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. In general, immigration processing is expected to be delayed from December 23, 2020 until January 6, 2021 due to reduced staff.
The immigration authority will be closed December 29, 2020 to January 3, 2021. Delays due to limited staffing should be expected around this time.
Government offices are expected to close on December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 1 and 16-17, 2020 and January 1-2 and 7, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 24-26 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Public services are currently provided remotely as much as possible.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 24-25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period may delay processing times.
Government offices are expected to be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021 and to close early on December 24 and 31, 2020. Formal confirmation is expected at short notice. Applicants should anticipate processing delays due to reduced staff during the year-end period.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 21-22, 24-25 and 31 (afternoon only), 2020, and January 1, 2021.
Immigration offices across Malaysia (both East and West Malaysia) will be closed on December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. They are also expected to close early on December 24 and 31, 2020.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1-2, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed January 1, 2021.
The National Immigration Institute will be closed December 25, 2020 through January 3, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020, and January 1 and 7-8, 2021.
Government offices will be closed January 1 and 6-8, 2021.
Government offices will be closed on January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
There are no government office closures during the holiday period.
The immigration and labor authorities will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Additionally, the immigration authority will close at 16:00 (local time) on December 24 and 31, 2020. Fragomen expects regional immigration and municipal shared service centers (Expatcentra) to be closed on additional days between December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021, e.g., IN Amsterdam will be closed December 25, 2020 to January 1, 2021. Applicants are advised to schedule appointments well in advance. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period is expected to delay processing times.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 - January 5, 2021. In addition, offshore branches will be closed on the following dates: December 25-28, 2020 and January 1, 2021 (Beijing branch), December 25, 2020 - January 3, 2021 (Pacific Island branches), and December 23, 2020 - January 3, 2021 (Suva branch).
The immigration authority will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021. The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be closed December 18, 2020 through January 3, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA) Oslo is operating with limited hours due to an ongoing strike and refurbishment, and is closed December 24-25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
SUA Stavanger and Trondheim are closed December 24, 2020 until January 1, 2021.
SUA Bergen is closed December 24, 2020 until January 3, 2021.
Government offices will be closed January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed on December 25 and 26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices are expected to close at 12:00 (local time) on December 24, 2020 and remain closed on December 25, 2020 and to close at 12:00 (local time) on December 31, 2020 and remain closed on January 1, 2021. Delays may be expected due to reduced workforce.
The foreign employment division office of the Labour Department will be closed from December 18, 2020 through January 12, 2021. Additionally, the Immigration and Citizenship Authority will be closed on December 18, 2020 through January 4, 2021. Renewal applications for Work Permits expiring between November 2020 and January 2021 must be submitted on or before December 27, 2020.
Government offices are expected to close December 24, 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed on December 24, 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices and Philippine consular posts will be closed on December 24-25 and 30-31, 2020, and January 1, 2021. There may also be delays in government processing and operations around the Christmas holiday.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. Offices are also expected to close early, or to close for the entire day at late notice, on December 24 and 31, 2020. Consular posts typically observe Polish national holidays and are similarly expected to close on these days. Reduced staff during the year-end will delay processing times.
Government offices are expected to close December 24-25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021, although a formal announcement is typically only made mid-December.
Government offices will be closed December 18, 2020 and are expected to close on another date surrounding this holiday.
Government offices will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1-2 and 24, 2021. Government offices are expected to be closed or close early on other days in December and January, but these dates are typically announced on short notice. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period is expected to delay processing.
Government offices will be closed January 1-10, 2021. No new applications can be filed during this period, and processing of pending applications will likely be delayed. Fragomen expects document acceptance and issuance to be very limited on December 30-31, 2020.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-28, 2020 and January 1-2, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 21 and 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed January 1-2 and 7, 2021. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period is expected to delay processing times.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 24-26, 2020, and January 1 and 6, 2021. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period is expected to delay processing times.
Government offices will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1-2, 2021, and will operate at reduced capacity December 27-31, 2020. Fragomen expects pre-scheduled appointment options during this timeframe to be very limited.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Application processing at immigration offices will also generally slowdown in December as the end of the year approaches.
Government offices will be closed December 7-8, 24-25 and 31, 2020 and January 1 and 6, 2021. Generally, reduced staffing during the year-end period is expected to delay processing times.
Visa Facilitation Center (VFS) will be closed December 18, 2020 through January 4, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25 and 29, 2020 and January 14 and 28, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25 and 31, 2020, and January 1 and 6, 2021. Open hours may be limited on January 5, 2021. Applicants should anticipate processing delays due to limited staff during the holiday period.
Government offices will be closed on the following days:
- Federal, Basel and Bern: Closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. On December 24 and 31, the authorities will close at 12:00 (local time).
- Aargau, Geneva, Luzern, Vaud, Zug, Zürich: Closed December 24, 2020 up to and including January 3, 2021.
- Schaffhausen, Solothurn: Closed December 25, 2020 up to and including January 3, 2021. On December 24, 2020, the authorities will close at 12:00 (local time).
Government offices will be closed January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Immigration authorities will be closed December 10-11 and 31, 2020, and January 1, 2021.
Government offices are expected to be closed January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1 and 7-8, 2021. Authorities typically work at minimum capacity from December 21, 2020 through January 15, 2021, causing processing delay. Consular posts may follow Ukrainian closure dates. Please check with your consular post.
Government authorities in the mainland and Freezones will be closed January 1, 2021.
Government offices will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Fragomen expects local service centers operated by Sopra Steria to be closed on further days between December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period may delay processing times.
Government offices are expected to close December 24, 25 and 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
There are no government office closures during the holiday period.
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
The immigration authority will be closed December 22, 25 and 26, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
