Highlights:
- US Embassy and all consulates in India closed December 24–26, 2025
- Closure affects visas, passports, and routine consular services
- Shutdown follows a Presidential Executive Order
- Emergency and essential services may continue selectively
- Consular services expected to resume on December 27
The United States Embassy and all US Consulates in India will remain closed for three days, starting Wednesday (24), through Friday (26), to temporarily suspend routine consular operations across the country.
The closure applies to all US diplomatic missions in India, including the embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. During this period, routine services such as visa interviews, passport issuance, document verification, and other non-emergency consular functions will not be available.
The shutdown follows a Presidential Executive Order directing the closure of U.S. federal government departments and agencies during the Christmas period. The US Mission India confirmed the development in a public announcement on social media.
“The US Embassy and Consulates in India will be closed from Wednesday (24), to Friday (26), in accordance with the Presidential Executive Order providing for the closure of executive departments and agencies of the federal government on these dates. Routine consular services will not be available during these dates”, the embassy said in a post on X.
The executive order, issued earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump, grants Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas off to most federal employees. Under the directive, all executive departments and agencies of the federal government are closed on December 24 and December 26, with employees formally excused from duty.
While the order mandates widespread closures, it allows department and agency heads to keep certain offices and installations operational where necessary for national security, defense, or other essential public needs. However, routine consular services overseas are not included among those essential operations.
According to the U.S. Mission India, consular services are expected to resume on Saturday, December 27, 2025, following the three-day closure. Applicants with scheduled visa interviews, passport appointments, or other consular engagements during the shutdown period are advised to monitor official embassy communications for guidance on rescheduling.
The announcement is particularly significant for Indian travelers and students, many of whom rely on December processing for upcoming academic terms, business travel, or holiday plans. Embassy officials have not indicated whether additional appointment slots will be opened to accommodate the temporary disruption.
This is not the first time such a closure has occurred. President Trump previously granted Christmas Eve off to federal workers during his earlier terms in 2018, 2019, and 2020. A similar practice was followed by President Joe Biden in 2024.
Christmas Day is one of the 11 official federal holidays in the United States, alongside New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. While December 25 is a standing holiday, the additional days off are granted through executive action.
Travelers and applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and check official U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites or verified social media channels for updates related to emergency services or appointment rescheduling.
