What is 221g (Administrative Processing)? and how do I get out of it? | Expert Visa Interview Prep

What is 221g (Administrative Processing)? Are you in administrative processing and wondering how you get out of it? 2 ex-Visa Officers share their insights on 221g and their top tips for how to move your visa application out of Administrative processing.

[patpy]

Thanks so much… it s been more than a year since I received the 221G. My Mom missed my Brother wedding and recently her Brother s funerals and my Dad could have travelled for medical care but still, no answer besides : go to our website and request and appointment. However, when we go to this website, we only receive a blank page and not even a calendar to set up the appointment….. My family especially my parents are extremely sad as our family lives in the US and it s difficult for us to see each other and enjoy family events. Our visa expired since February 2020…. More than 2 years without hugging our family members because of that… it s more than an administrative matter now, let s not keep the human factor totally out of the equation…

[oladunjoyeyomibamidele]

Thank you for your for the good work you are doing, its really supportive

I had my visa interview today at the US EMBASSY LONDON and the visa officer told me he only need to do uk home office check on me and he is going to email me back between 7-14working day and gave me 221g that I should not worry that I will only need to send my passport back for the visa,

Please I am just asking if this is a good course or not sir, please do respond 🙏

[johnlocke]

The reality of 221(g) is it allows the officer to sit on the case indefinitely. I strongly believe the only way to get "unstuck" is to file a mandamus lawsuit in federal district court. The government must answer in 60 days. In most cases, rather than filing an answer, the US Attorney reaches out to the consulate/embassy in question and the consulate/embassy makes a decision on the application. They can either approve the visa or deny it rather than sitting on it. And that's what a mandamus lawsuit does (it has worked even for B1/B2 visas! even when COVID numbers were skyrocketing).

[narmadaanushka]

How to contact the Visa Officer who gave me the 221G Administrative Processing?

[officialOfresh]

WENT FOR MY SPOUSE IMMIGRANT INTERVIEW ON THE 30TH OF MAY 2023. AFTER MY INTERVIEW THE CONSULAR OFFICER GAVE ME A WHITE 221G PAPER BUT NOT STATING THAT A DOCUMENT WAS MISSING AND KEPT MY PASSPORT, AFTER TWO DAYS I GOT A MAIL THAT I SHOULD COME AND PICK UP MY PASSPORT. PLEASE WHAT DOES THAT MEAN SINCE I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT A MISSING DOCUMENT?

[haydereyada]

Hi Argo I am SIV applicant i am in stuck administrative procedure for more than 6 months I don't know what I have to do to get my visa.

[ibrahim-mvit]

Thank you very much for information you guys provided, we really appreciate that. I have a question regarding the emails we already sent to the embassy asking About our applications did they really informed you as interview specialist about the case . I got 221g has been 8 months now every email I sent they answer same answers copy and paste exactly the same and no even one step from first day of interview 21/12 no even step So did they inform you or they just answer same answers

[mehranbay]

Hi, i am the iranian dv23 winner...!
About 40 days ago, I was interviewed in Yerevan.
Usually 80% of Iranians be refuse under 221g..!

i refused under 221g to🤧
I filled up ds5535 form and send back to them.

we need Cleary from Washington, the end of FY23 is very close, the global visa quota is running out, in this situation, what can I do to save my luck?

[jamesashley]

Hi there, I booked my J-1 Visa interview at the US Embassy in London, had my appointment on Thursday May 5th 2022, I had all the correct documentations I thought, but I accidentally forgot my DS-2019 form, they still took me for an interview, I am doing a USA Summercamp Job which starts June 14th, I was put in 221(g) because I didn’t have my DS-2019 on hand, they said I’m not required to have another interview and will now operating only by Post, I sent off my DS-2019 form and my passport and the In-Courier Certificate along with the Rejection letter, how long do you think I will have to wait to receive my Visa, I am supposed to fly out by June 13th

[karina.ko]

Are you sure about inquiry every 7 to 10‘days ? I had read already that few people got rejected after they inquired to many times

[GeneralPost-oh]

Is it allowed to reapply for B1/B2 visa in a different city if administrative processing is ongoing?

Details: I applied for B1/B2 visitor visa to visit my parents in USA. During interview I received a pink slip and officer asked me to send cv, source of funding and employer letter. I sent all docs on the next day. Since then, my application has been in 221g administrative processing for over 5 months. I regularly request status update and receive same reply, that my application remains subject to additional administrative processing.

There is nothing in my application I could or would change. The only difference will be - how I interact with consular officer. During my first interview I was not prepared and just waited for questions. It might be the reason why I got refused. I would like to redo this and be more open and proactive during the interview.

[bekagoderdzishvili]

Hello. I am an actor .I'VE got the EB 1 visa approval in the USA. On the 9th of September of 2021, I had the visa interview in my country Georgia, but the original divorce certificate was missing and the photo of my wife did not match the standards. That's why the officer gave us 221 g pink slip, where only these two docs were marked. We sent the both of them immediately, when I check my visa status it still shows REFUSED. Is it normal?

[saraherwin]

Can I request a follow-up interview after 221g letter for k1 visa prior to the embassy asking for the follow-up interview? Like can I proactively request the follow-up interview? Do I have to wait for the embassy to ask for a follow-up email?

[ozim]

Thanks for your video, what about 66 days waiting for only my wife's application? Is that normal ? Myself and kids already got it on the same day, we are stuck in mexico for the past 65 days now.
We are australian with E3 visa and been in USA faithfully for the past 4 years.

[Magam.]

Is adminstrative processing a delay tactic? If not then why some people are stuck in administrative processing for years.

[ruhulamin-trjv]

My b1/b2 visa has been administrative processing on going 14 months, May I know do you can help me ?

[eugenezasid]

Hello Argo Visa, I had my L1 interview in Prague on July 21, 2022. VO said everything looks good but the Administrative processing is required. He returned me my passport, all papers, gave me a white slip and requested 1. A letter from my U.S.-based partner indicating the purpose of my travel, 2. A description of my area of expertise and my current area of work or study, 3. A current resume or CV indicating my work history, educational background, and a list of my publications, 4. A list of references in my country of residence, 5. An itinerary of my trip to the United States. Also he said it could take from 2 weeks to 2 months to get them made a decision. I immediately provided all documents by email and got the confirmation email saying it could take up to 180 days and I shouldn't reach out to them before 90 days passed.
What should I do to get my 221g cleared except of just waiting? I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

[paritosh]

Hi, I got 221g on October 4 2021 after my h1b visa interview in New Delhi and provided required documents on the same day. I also contacted the embassy after 10 days but no response yet. Kind suggest what to do ?

[cj.]

Hello actually i got 221g on 16th of this month again they maild me to re appear for interview they only schedule my appointment on tomorrow whats the situation now is now they approve?

[taniacarvajalpineda]

Oct 7 2022 visa interview done of my two minor step daughters ages 14 and 15. They were given their passports and a 221g notice. A few days later the embassy sent me an email the need form ds 5535. I sent it right away via email and I word format as requested. I emailed the embassy two months later to see what that status is and what other documentation is needed. They said they enver received my ds 5535 form. I resent it and them two emails came as received . One in Spanish and one in English. Their medical exam will expire April 2023 from their Oct 2022 exam date. I would like some advise on how to reach out to them on their decision to the visa for Ir2. I am not sure what this processes is prolonging for minors.