The holiday season is upon us, and if you’re navigating international work permits, visas, or residence permits, now is the time to prepare for significant delays.
Government immigration offices across the globe will be operating with skeleton crews or closing entirely during the upcoming weeks. The vast majority of countries will shut down operations around December 24-26, 2025, and January 1, 2026. Many locations will remain closed or work with reduced staff well into early January.
What This Means for You
If you have pending applications, travel plans, or relocation timelines between now and early 2026, expect slower processing times and limited availability for appointments. Some offices are closing earlier than in previous years, which could catch applicants off guard.
The most common closure pattern includes Christmas Day, Boxing Day (December 26), and New Year’s Day, though many countries extend closures for several days or even weeks. European nations, for instance, often observe additional holidays like Epiphany on January 6.
In some regions—particularly Denmark, Russia, and parts of Switzerland—immigration authorities will be completely unavailable for two weeks or more. Even countries with shorter official closures may experience significant backlogs due to reduced staffing throughout the holiday period.
Take Action Now
Don’t wait until the last minute. Contact your immigration advisor immediately to understand how holiday schedules will impact your specific situation. If you need to submit documents, schedule biometrics, or receive approvals before year-end, time is running out.
For those with travel booked during this period, confirm that your immigration status allows for re-entry and that all necessary documents are current. Port-of-entry services may still operate on holidays but expect reduced staff and longer wait times.