There will be government closures during the Eid-al-Fitr holiday across the world. Employers and employees in the below countries should expect longer processing times for various immigration applications with delays possibly persisting after the holiday due to application backlogs. The following countries will shut their government offices according to the below schedule:
- Albania: Closed April 21, 2023.
- Algeria: Closed either April 21-22 or April 22-23.
- Azerbaijan: Closed April 22-25, 2023.
- Bahrain: Closed April 21-23, 2023.
- Bangladesh: Closed April 19-23, 2023.
- Bosnia Herzegovina: Closed April 21, 2023.
- Brunei: Closed April 22-25, 2023.
- India: Tentatively closed April 21, 2023.
- Indonesia: Closed April 19-25, 2023.
- Iraq: Expected to close April 21-23, 2023.
- Iraqi Kurdistan: Closed April 22-24, 2023.
- Ivory Coast: Closed April 21, 2023.
- Jordan: Closed April 21-24, 2023.
- Kosovo: Closed April 21, 2023.
- Kuwait: Closed April 21-25, 2023.
- Lebanon: Closed April 21-22, 2023.
- Malaysia: Possible early closure April 21; Closed April 22-24, 2023.
- Morocco: Expected to close April 21-23, 2023.
- North Macedonia: Closed April 21, 2023.
- Oman: Closed April 20-24, 2023.
- Pakistan: Closed April 21-25, 2023.
- Qatar: Expected to close April 21-25, 2023.
- Saudi Arabia: Closed April 21-26, 2023
- Singapore: Closed April 22, 2023.
- Sri Lanka: Closed April 22, 2023.
- Türkiye: Closed April 20 through April 24, 2023.
- United Arab Emirates: Closed April 20-23, 2023.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Blog post
Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna provides insight to Buffalo Toronto Public Media on potential IRCC processing challenges as Canada prepares for increased visa demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Blog post
Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna provides insight to Buffalo Toronto Public Media on potential IRCC processing challenges as Canada prepares for increased visa demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.