US Visa Refusal & 221(g) Guide
Diagnostic and recovery steps for Section 214(b) immigrant intent rejections and Section 221(g) administrative holds.
USCIS and the Department of State share biometric records with Five Eyes countries (Canada, UK, Australia). If you have a past visa refusal from Canada, you **must** disclose it in your DS-160. Undeclared rejections will be detected during biometrics and will result in a permanent **Section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) Misrepresentation ban**.
Consular Refusal Diagnostic
221(g) Administrative Processing Tracker
If you were issued a 221(g) slip, track the number of days your case has been processing since your interview date.
Application Recovery Checklist
- Correct and Update DS-160For 214(b) reapplications, review and rewrite your job description, study plans, and home address histories to ensure consistency.
- Pay New MRV Visa Fee (214b only)Since a 214(b) is a final denial, you must pay the visa fee again to schedule a new appointment.
- Submit CV/Resume (221g Pink slip)For security/TAL checks, provide a detailed academic CV, publication list, and research outline.
- End-Client Letter & Vendor Agreement (221g H-1B)If you work in consulting, obtain a signed vendor-client letter proving the employer-employee relationship exists.
- IRS W-2 & Paystubs (H-1B transfer)Provide tax return forms to verify you have maintained legal status while in the U.S.
221(g) Slip Types
| Color | Reason | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | Missing Docs | Submit details |
| 🟥 Pink | Security Check | Wait (TAL) |
| 🟦 Blue | Company Audit | Employer logs |
Five Eyes Data Sharing
The Five Eyes alliance shares real-time biometric and application status logs.
A visa rejection from the U.S., UK, or Canada is visible to other member countries immediately. Always declare them.