Application Refused Under INA 221(g)

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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 on the visa refusal and will include a reference to requested documents, if any.

If the U.S. Embassy requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents following the instructions given to you by the U.S. Embassy on the 221(g) refusal sheet.

Electronic Copies via Email

If you received instructions to send via email an electronic copy of a document, send it in PDF to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate which issued your 221(g) letter. Attachments must not exceed 3MB.

If you received instructions to send by mail original documents, then the following delivery options are available:

  • Drop off your documents at our partner's office Pack & Weg located in Kettenbrückengasse 5, Vienna, 1050 - drop off times Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 5:30pm (closed on holidays). This delivery option is free of charge. The documents need to be dropped off already packed in sealed envelopes, with applicant’s name and UID visibly written on the packaging.
  • The second option is to mail your documents to the US Embassy/Consulate using the DHL service. This option requires the payment of a delivery fee which can be done by accessing this link. Once the payment completed, the shipping label will be generated automatically and displayed on your screen. Print the shipping label and apply it to the package containing your application documents.

Administrative Processing

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 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.

Applicants whose cases are refused for administrative processing may reach out to the Embassy/Consulate to check the status of their cases by clicking the link below corresponding to the Embassy/Consulate where they were interviewed:

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.