The US Consulate has been hit by a partial US government shutdown, but US Customs pre-clearance at the airport had not been affected.

Constance Dierman, the US Consul General, said the shutdown, caused by failure to agree the national Budget, had affected some services.

She added: “During the lapse in appropriations, scheduled passport and visa services at the US Consulate General will continue as the situation permits.

“Public comments and website updates by the US Consulate General will be limited until full operations resume, except for urgent safety and security information.”

The shutdown, which began on December 22, was sparked by a dispute over the funding of a controversial border wall between the US and Mexico proposed by Donald Trump.

The stalemate has left several US government departments without funding, including Homeland Security, Justice, Housing, Agriculture, Commerce, Interior and the Treasury. The departments have had to cut back on non-essential services and place some staff on leave.

Essential staff have been required to stay on the job without pay.

Transportation Security Administration officers have called in sick in large numbers at several US airports, which raised fears that the agency might not have enough staff to maintain safety standards.

The TSA said the sick-outs had caused a “minimal impact”.