If your case requires further administrative processing:
A visa denial (refusal) under section 221(g) of the INA means that the consular officer did not have all of the information required to determine if you are eligible to receive a visa. This means you are not eligible for the visa now, but your case is pending further action for one of the following reasons:
- Administrative processing,
- Your application is incomplete and/or further documentation is required.
If administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the interview. Duration of administrative processing varies but most administrative processing is resolved within 6 months. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 6 months after your interview. Please check your email frequently, as soon as the administrative processing is completed, we will notify you by email with additional instructions.
Tips
Form DS-260 (the online immigrant visa application form) accurately and completely filled out including the applicant’s entire employment history, not just the past 10 years. Responses such as “retired” or “self- employed” without an explanation may cause delays. In addition, exact dates of every trip (not just the year) to the United States must be provided. If the applicant stayed more than six months in the United States on a tourist visa, he/she must bring to the interview proof that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security granted an extension of stay.
During the interview, you will receive a refusal sheet that includes a QR code. You can use this QR code to access DS-5535 form. Alternatively, you will receive an email from us with additional instructions. Please ensure that you fully complete the DS-5535 form and submit it to us as instructed.
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 6 months from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents.
You will not receive an individual response to email inquiries about administrative processing, and we cannot predict how long the process will take or cannot give advice on where to wait while this process is on-going.
If your case requires further administrative processing, please send all of the missing documents along with your valid passport after receiving processing completed confirmation via email from the Embassy.
Online Status Check
Visit he Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), applicants can verify the status of their application online at: https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/ and clicking the link for “Check My Visa Application Status” located under the “IMMIGRANT” category. You will be required to enter your case number.