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Application Refused under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 221(g)

On this page:

• Overview
• Other Information

Overview

Refusal under section 221(g) means that essential information is missing from an application or that an application requires additional administrative processing. The consular officer who interviews you will tell you at the end of your interview if your case is being refused under 221(g). The consular officer will either tell you that the case has to undergo administrative processing or ask you to submit additional information.

If further information is required from you, the consular officer will tell you how to submit that information. When your visa application is refused under section 221(g), you will be given a written letter notifying you of the visa refusal and will include a reference to requested documents, if any.

If the Embassy or Consulate requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents at a CGI document collection office. This web page explains how to submit your documents for delivery to the Embassy or Consulate.

Other Information

Some refused visa applications may be refused under section 221(g) because further administrative processing is required. The consular officer who interviews you will tell you at the end of your interview if your case is being refused under 221(g) due to required administrative processing.  The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

If you are a nonimmigrant applicant, you may check your DS-160 and visa application status online here by entering your interview location and your DS-160 barcode number.  Please note that your case will remain in refused status unless the consular officer is able to conclude you are eligible for your visa.