The United States Embassy in India has officially announced a temporary shutdown for the upcoming Christmas holidays. The diplomatic mission will suspend all routine operations for two days later this month, impacting services for thousands.
Official Announcement and Closure Dates
In a formal statement released on Tuesday, the embassy confirmed it will be closed to the public on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025. This decision is not an isolated one but follows a directive from the highest office in the United States. The closure is in strict adherence to a Presidential Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump, which mandates the shutdown of federal executive departments and agencies on those specific dates.
Impact on Services and Emergency Protocols
The holiday closure means a complete halt to all routine consular services. This includes:
- Visa application processing and interviews
- Regular passport and citizen services
- Other non-emergency administrative work
Normal operations are scheduled to resume only on Monday, December 29, 2025. However, the embassy has assured that critical emergency assistance for American citizens will remain accessible. US nationals in India facing urgent situations have been advised to use the dedicated emergency contact numbers provided by the embassy and its consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
Details of the Presidential Order and Exceptions
The executive order that triggered this closure provides the legal framework. It states that all federal government executive departments and agencies shall be closed, and their employees excused from duty, on the day before and the day following Christmas Day. The order does, however, allow for limited exceptions based on national security, defence, or other essential public needs.
Heads of departments and agencies retain the authority to keep specific offices open or require certain employees to report for duty on December 24 or 26 if deemed necessary. For the vast majority of embassy staff in India, though, the days will be observed as holidays.
The embassy has strongly advised US citizens in India and those planning to visit the mission to plan their travel and documentation work accordingly. With only emergency services available during the three-day window from December 24 to 26, individuals are urged to complete any pending consular work well in advance to avoid inconvenience.
