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

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Overview

A refusal under Section 221(g) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)  means that essential information is missing from an application or that an application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer who interviews you will tell you at the end of your interview if your case has been  denied under Section 221(g). The officer will either tell you that the case has to undergo administrative processing, or will ask you to submit additional information.  Your visa application will be reconsidered upon receipt of your response or when administrative processing is complete.  Please be advised that for U.S. visa purposes, including ESTA (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta), a 221(g) decision constitutes a denial of a visa.

Submitting Additional Information

If further information is required, the officer will tell you how to submit that information. As part of this process, you will be given a written letter and will have 12 months from the date of your application to submit the requested documents without having to pay a new visa application fee. After one year, an application refused under Section 221(g) will be terminated.

If the American Institute in Taiwan requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents at a document delivery officeThis web page explains how to submit your documents for delivery to the American Institute in Taiwan.

Administrative Processing

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after your interview with a consular officer. You will be advised of this possibility during your interview. When additional administrative processing is required, the length of processing time will vary based on the circumstances of each case. You are reminded to apply early for your visa, well in advance of your anticipated date of travel. 

You can check the status of your application any time at the following website.