American Embassy consular services working normally despite 'shutdown'

A handout picture provided by the White House shows US President Barack Obama signs H.R. 3210, Pay Our Military Act, which provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces during any period for which interim or full-year appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2014 are not in effect, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 30 September: photo - EPA/PETE SOUZA / THE WHITE HOUSE

Following the two houses of Congress in Washington failing to agree a new budget, over 700,000 federal employees face unpaid leave with no guarantee of back pay once the deadlock is over, after the Republican-led House of Representatives insisted on delaying President Obama's healthcare reforms as a condition on passing the budget bill.

Despite the shutdown, the American Embassy in Poland says that visa and other services will be operating as normal.

"The US Mission to Poland announces that consular services, including visa appointments, are open as usual. Visa applicants should arrive as scheduled for their appointments," says a statement released by the embassy on Tuesday.

The American Embassy in the Polish capital and its consulate in Krakow added, however, that some cuts in spending must be made until the political deadlock is broken.

Embassy staff, "are taking steps to do that by limiting some activities. Activities that advance the protection of American citizens, advance national security interests or trade and economic activities are authorized to continue," says the statement. (pg)