Worldwide – Immigration Processing During the Holiday Season
December 15, 2016
During the holiday season, many government offices worldwide will close or have reduced staff and hours of operation, likely resulting in processing delays for work permits, residence permits and visas over the coming weeks and into the new year.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of immigration office and government closings during the holiday season. Employers and foreign nationals with travel or relocation plans between now and early 2017 should contact their immigration service provider to discuss the impact of holiday closures on their specific circumstances.
Algeria
The immigration authority will be closed January 1, 2017.
Angola
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2016 and January 1, 2017.
Armenia
The immigration authority will be closed January 2-5, 2017.
Australia
The immigration authority will be closed December 25-27, 2016 and January 1-2, 2017.
Austria
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
Azerbaijan
The immigration authority will be closed December 31, 2016 – January 4, 2017.
Belgium
Flemish and Brussels regional employment authorities are closed December 26-30, 2016. Walloon regional employment authorities are closed December 26, 2016. In general, reduced staff during the year-end period may delay processing times.
Bolivia
Although government closures are not expected in December, public holidays may be declared on short notice during the holiday period. Additionally, there may be delays due to a reduced workforce.
Botswana
The immigration authority will be closed December 26-27, 2016.
Brazil
Government offices have not announced any closures, except the Ministry of Labor in Santo Andre (São Paulo), which will be closed December 19, 2016-January 1, 2017.
Bulgaria
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Cameroon
The immigration authority will be closed December 21 and 26-27, 2016.
Canada
The immigration authority and government offices will be closed December 26-27 and January 2, 2017.
China
Government offices will be closed January 1-2, 2017.
Colombia
Although government closures are not expected in December, public holidays may be declared on short notice during the holiday period. Additionally, there may be delays due to a reduced workforce.
Congo (Republic of)
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Costa Rica
Government agencies will be closed December 26-29, 2016 and will reopen January 2, 2017.
Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Cyprus
The immigration authority will be closed January 6, 2017.
Czech Republic
The immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Denmark
The immigration authorities will be closed December 23, 2016 - January 1, 2017.
Ecuador
Although government closures are not expected in December, public holidays may be declared on short notice during the holiday period. Additionally, there may be delays due to a reduced workforce.
Estonia
The immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
Finland
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
France
Immigration and/or regional offices may be closed or close early December 25-31, 2016, although no official closures have been announced. Delays due to limited staffing during the holidays should be expected.
Georgia
Public offices will be closed January 2-3, 2017.
Ghana
The immigration authority will be closed December 26-27, 2016.
Greece
The immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
Guatemala
The General Immigration Directorate is closed December 26-27, 2016 and will close at 12pm on December 30. It will also be closed January 2-3, 2017. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security will be closed December 23, 25 and 30, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Hong Kong
The immigration authority will be closed December 26-27, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Hungary
The immigration authority will be closed December 26 – December 30, 2016.
Indonesia
Government offices will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 2, 2017. In addition, the Ministry of Manpower will not accept any applications December 22, 2016-January 3, 2017.
Israel
Israeli consulates abroad may close or partially close between December 24, 2016 and January 1, 2017. Applicants and employers should contact the consulate at which they will apply for more information.
Italy
The immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
Japan
The immigration authority will be closed December 23, 2016 and December 29, 2016-January 3, 2017. Additionally, Japan will celebrate Coming of Age Day on January 9, 2017. Delays due to limited staffing should be expected around this time.
Kazakhstan
Public offices will be closed December 16-19, 2016 and January 2-3, 2017.
Latvia
The immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016, and will close early on December 23 and 30, 2016.
Lithuania
The immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016.
Luxembourg
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be closed December 26, 2016.
Macau
The immigration authority will be closed December 20, 21, 26 and 27, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Malaysia
Immigration authorities across Malaysia (Peninsular and East Malaysia) will be closed on December 26, 2016 and January 2, 2017. Immigration offices in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will not accept passports for work pass endorsement December 23, 2016-January 3, 2017, although work pass applications can still be filed and will be processed during this period.
Mexico
The Mexican National Immigration Institute in Mexico City and in other Mexican cities will be closed starting December 17, 2016. Normal operating hours are expected to resume by January 9, 2017. These closure periods are subject to change without advance notice.
Moldova
The immigration authority will be closed December 25, 2016 and January 1, 7 and 8, 2017.
Mozambique
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Namibia
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Netherlands
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
New Zealand
All Immigration New Zealand branches will close at noon, December 23, 2016 and will reopen January 4, 2017.
Nigeria
The immigration authority will be closed December 21, 26 and 31, 2016.
Norway
The immigration authority will be closed December 24-26 and 31, 2016 and will reopen January 2, 2017.
Panama
Immigration authorities will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Papua New Guinea
Government offices will be closed December 26-27, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Peru
Although government closures are not expected in December, public holidays may be declared on short notice during the holiday period. Additionally, there may be delays due to a reduced workforce.
Philippines
Government offices (including Philippine Embassies and Consulates) will be closed December 26 and 30, 2016 and January 2, 2017. There may also be delays in government processing and operations around the Christmas holiday.
Poland
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
Romania
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Russia
The immigration authority will be closed from December 31, 2016-January 8, 2017.
Serbia
The immigration authority will be closed January 2-3, 2017.
Singapore
Government offices will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Slovakia
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Slovenia
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Spain
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016 and January 6, 2017.
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board will be closed December 26 and 31, 2016, and January 6, 2017, and will close at 11am on December 23, 2016 and January 5, 2017.
Taiwan
Government offices will be closed January 2, 2017.
Tanzania
The immigration authority will be closed December 26, 2016.
Thailand
Immigration authorities will be closed December 31, 2016-January 3, 2017.
Ukraine
The immigration authority will be closed January 2, and 9, 2017. Delays can be expected starting the last week of December through January 10.
United Arab Emirates
Government authorities, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the General Directorates of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and Free Zone Government Services Offices will be closed January 1, 2017.
United Kingdom
Government offices will be closed December 26 and 27, 2016 and January 2, 2017. Offices in Scotland will also be closed January 3, 2017. Delays in government processing times are anticipated over this period, continuing into the early New Year, due to staff holidays. Availability of Premium Service Centre appointments for same-day processing are anticipated to be similarly impacted.
Venezuela
Although government closures are not expected in December, public holidays may be declared on short notice during the holiday period. Additionally, there may be delays due to a reduced workforce.
Vietnam
Government offices (including Vietnamese Embassies and Consulates) will be closed January 2, 2017.
