India, Oct. 2 -- The US government shutdown began after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach a funding deal by Wednesday's deadline, forcing hundreds of thousands of federal workers into furloughs and shuttering nonessential offices.

Among the disruptions is a pause in H-1B visa processing, a move that could impact thousands of skilled workers, especially from India and China.

Immigration attorney Nicole Gunara explained that while the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to function as it is fee-funded, the Department of Labor (DOL), responsible for approving Labour Condition Applications (LCAs), relies on congressional appropriations and will suspend operations until funding resumes.

The shutdo...