Consular Processing Delays Expected Throughout Ramadan
Visa application processing delays should be expected throughout March and April across the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye, and parts of Asia due to the observance of Ramadan and Eid‑al‑Fitr.
Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday February 17th, 2026, and end on either the evening of Wednesday March 18th or Thursday March 19th, 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon.
During this period, many government offices operate on reduced schedules or close entirely, which may slow case processing.
Delays may also extend into the weeks following Ramadan as authorities work through backlogs created during these closures.
A non-exhaustive country list of known operating hours and expected closures during Ramadan can be viewed at the Fragomen website.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact us for the latest updates.