Worldwide: Immigration Processing Delays Expected Throughout Ramadan
March 21, 2023
At a Glance
Foreign nationals and their employers can expect immigration processing delays from the middle of March through the middle of April in the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye and parts of Asia during the observance of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. Many government offices worldwide reduce their hours and/or close during Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.
Processing delays could continue in the weeks following Ramadan, due to application backlogs that accumulate during the closures.
The situation
Foreign nationals and their employers can expect immigration processing delays over the coming weeks in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and parts of Asia during observance of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. Many government offices worldwide reduce their hours and/or close during Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.
A closer look
In most of the world, Ramadan is expected to begin on March 22 or 23 depending on lunar sightings. The Eid-al-Fitr holiday will begin on the first day following the end of Ramadan, though its exact dates and the duration will vary by country. Processing delays could continue in the weeks following Ramadan, due to application backlogs that accumulate during the closures.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of operating hours and office closures for Ramadan. Government office closures are expected in many countries for Eid-al-Fitr, though there have not been official announcements for most countries.
| Country | Closures |
| Algeria | Government offices are not officially closed during Ramadan (expected to begin March 22 or 23 and end on April 21 or 22, depending on lunar sightings) but most will operate on a reduced schedule, opening at 8:30 and closing at 15:30 local time. Government offices will also likely be closed on Eid-al-Fitr for two days if the holiday falls on business days. Processing delays can be expected for initial and renewal applications due to the reduced working hours. |
| Bahrain | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Sunday to Thursday 8:00 to 14:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Bangladesh | Government offices will be closed on March 26, April 19, 21, and 23, 2023. |
| Brunei | Government offices are expected to be working reduced working hours (until 14:00 daily) from March 22 to April 21, 2023. Furthermore, government offices are expected to be closed on April 8, and 22-25, 2023. |
| Cote D'Ivoire | Government offices will be closed on either April 20 or 21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Egypt | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from 9:00 to 14:00 local time. |
| Gabon | Government offices will be closed on either April 20 or 21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Indonesia | Government offices are expected to operate limited hours during Ramadan (possibly close one hour earlier than normal working days). Furthermore, government offices will be closed from April 21-26, 2023. |
| Iraq | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 to 13:30 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Iraqi Kurdistan | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 to 13:30 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Jordan | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Sunday to Thursday 10:00 to 3:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21-22, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Kuwait | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 to 14:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Lebanon | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 14:30 local time and close on Friday. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21-22, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Malaysia | Government offices are expected to be closed from April 21-24, 2023. Processing of applications may be delayed as officers will be working with a skeletal staff the week of April 17 and April 24, 2023. |
| Mauritania | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from 10:00 to 15:30 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21-23, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Morocco | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from 10:00 to 15:30 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21-22, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Oman | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21-22, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Pakistan | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from 10:00 to 15:30 local time and Friday from 10:00 to 13:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21-22, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Qatar | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Saudi Arabia | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule from 10:00 to 15:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Senegal | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from 10:00 to 15:30 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Sierra Leone | Government offices will be closed on either April 20 or 21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Tunisia | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 14:30 local time and Friday 7:00 to 13:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20-21, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
| Türkiye | Government offices will be closed beginning in the afternoon of April 20-21, 2023. Processing delays can be expected during Ramadan for initial and renewal applications as government offices are often understaffed. |
| United Arab Emirates | Government offices will operate on a reduced schedule during Ramadan from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:30 local time and on Fridays from 9:00 to 12:00 local time. Government offices are also expected to close on April 20 and resume operations on April 24, 2023, depending on lunar sightings. |
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
