Administrative Processing Information (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when visa status says administrative processing? ›

Administrative processing takes place after the visa interview, and refers to visa applications that undergo additional review or security clearances outside of “normal” visa processing times.

AAO appellate review: The AAO strives to complete its appellate review within 180 days from the time it receives a complete case record after the initial field review. Some cases may take longer than 180 days due to factors beyond the AAO's control.

DS 5535 Processing Time. DS5535 processing can take between 2 weeks to 8+ months. It's a black hole due to the security checks that are sent to various US agencies to verify your profile. Until a positive response is received from each agency, the US embassy will not issue you the visa.

Refusal is a temporary hold that they put on your application, and they put you in what's called administrative processing. Administrative processing and 221(g) essentially mean that there is additional processing time that's required after the visa interview. That's the official definition.

No. When a visa application is sent for administrative processing, the visa eligibility has not been determined. After the case comes back from administrative review, and if no problems are identified, the application is likely to be approved.

Upon completion of the case-specific administrative processing, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. Alternatively, the officer may conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa.

Upon completion of the case-specific administrative processing, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. Alternatively, the officer may conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa.

Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of your visa interview. When additional administrative processing is required, the length of processing time will vary based on the circ*mstances of each case.

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) conducts administrative review of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers' decisions regarding immigration benefit requests in order to promote consistency and accuracy in the interpretation of immigration law and policy.

If the application requires administrative processing, you will be asked to check the status of your visa from our website. If your application has been denied, the passport will be returned to you after the visa interview.

Why do they ask for DS 5535? ›

DS-5535 Questionnaire. The U.S. Department of State uses the so-called DS-5535 during the consular process to request missing information from the visa applicant. The purpose of this questionnaire is to assist consular officers in deciding whether an applicant poses a potential security threat.

Section 221(g) Refusals Are Very Common

Of those, 510,549 were successfully overcome and visas issued – a success rate of 87%.

Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of your visa interview. When additional administrative processing is required, the length of processing time will vary based on the circ*mstances of each case. You are reminded to apply early for your visa, well in advance of your anticipated date of travel.

Outcome Of Administrative Review Decision

If your application is successful, then the original decision made by the government department will be overturned.

What does a visa refusal under section 221(g) administrative processing mean? A visa refusal under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) means the applicant did not establish eligibility for a visa to the satisfaction of the consular officer, under the law.

At the end of your immigrant visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a consular officer.

Once you have submitted a visa application, you can check its status online. You will need to know your case number. Check the status of your immigrant or nonimmigrant visa application online using the U.S. Department of State's Visa Status Check portal.

The processing time for a 221(g) form is case-dependent. In some cases, the processing may take weeks while for others it may take several months. If there are no additional documents needed and the consulate does not need additional information, the case can typically be processed and resolved within a 60-day period.

CEAC – Visa Approved but Status is Administrative Processing status is common these days after visa interview in the US embassy. If your visa was approved and no form 221(g) was issued, then you can expect your stamped passport within 5-10 working days. No need to worry.

Approved – You have met all the qualifications and are approved to receive a visa. After being approved, you will receive an email during the next 5-10 business days indicating that your passport is ready to pick up at the selected location in your profile.

How do I know if my visa is rejected? ›

You will also be given a letter stating your application has been denied under 221(g) and listing which documents you need to provide. Administrative processing - Further administrative processing of your application is required before a decision can be made regarding your eligibility for a visa.

After your case goes through further administrative processing, the consulate officer will issue you a color-coded sip. The slip will have your case number with the following message: Your application for a nonimmigrant visa has not been refused.

Any criminal history you have. Your citizenship status. Employment information. Your phone numbers.

The case officer may take minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even years to decide on your application after receiving your s56 response.

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

Visa processing takes approximately 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy. A further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for the return of your passport.

Usually, this status of “Refused” or “Administrative Processing” would change in about a week to 10 days. If not, then you can reach out to the consulate. Do not panic, if you see this status.

The Home Office usually takes 28 days to consider an application for Administrative Review.

Administrative Review means a procedure by which the department may provide an opportunity for an applicant or eligible individual to express and seek remedy for dissatisfaction with a decision regarding the furnishing or denial of services.

Pending administrative review (PAR) means a temporary classification status in which a person under departmental control PUDC is placed, in which his or her current classification status is suspended to allow investigation of various issues as delineated in (e), below.

How long does it take to process a 221g white slip? ›

The 221g administrative processing maximum time varies based on a variety of factors, including if additional information is requested, what additional documents are requested, where you are located, and more. In most cases, 221g administrative processing will be completed within 60 days—typically around 3-4 weeks.

Yellow:A 221(g) yellow slip denotes general administrative processing. The consulate will review all the submitted documentation for both the employee and employer.

Please only complete Form DS-5535 Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants if a visa officer has requested you to at the time of your visa interview. Please follow the instructions mentioned on the 221(g) letter you received and submit the form by email.

Administrative Processing

If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed back within two business days. This status includes: The visa issuance process (visa has been approved but not yet printed)

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).

Avoiding a 221(g) is not always possible, but there are some things you can do to try to avoid it. One of the most common reasons an individual gets a 221(g) is that they were not fully prepared for their interview.

In order to avoid a 221(g) refusal for additional information, the applicant should be well prepared, answer questions truthfully, review the H1B petition carefully to fully understand the details of the work assignment in the United States, and bring copies of the documents to the interview that were submitted to the ...

Individuals may be selected for administrative processing due to their citizenship, field of study or scope of research, prior visa overstays or denials, criminal activities, and more. Scrutiny is imposed on visa applicants who were born in or are nationals or citizens of certain countries.

While the exact process is fairly opaque, Administrative Processing means: 1) that the applicant's case has been sent from the Embassy/Consulate to a data center to be reviewed for criminal convictions, security risks, immigration violations or other irregularities and 2) that the applicant's case will be delayed.

Does administrative processing mean denial? ›

Understanding Administrative Processing

Important, Administrative Processing does mean that an application will be denied. It means that there will be a delay while the security clearance is completed. It may be necessary to work with your department and defer admission while under Administrative Processing.

If a visa application is approved during a visa interview, the average processing time is 7-10 working days. At least a further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for delivery. If you are eligible for the 'Interview Waiver Program' and submit your application by courier without attending an interview.

If this is your status, then the final processing of your visa is being completed and you are going to receive your visa. It takes about 10 business days to receive the visa after an "issued" status.

When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circ*mstances of each case. You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov. All nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants (including 'K' visa applicants) may require administrative processing.

Dropbox Processing time varies from 1 day to 6 weeks.

We strongly recommend keeping a buffer of at least 3 weeks after dropping your application as you can be called for an interview. Many applications also receive form 221g which can delay your passport.

If the application requires administrative processing, you will be asked to check the status of your visa from our website. If your application has been denied, the passport will be returned to you after the visa interview.

If your application is selected for administrative processing, you may not return to the United States until the visa is issued. All visa applicants should plan travel carefully and plan for the contingency of being delayed by administrative processing.

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) conducts administrative review of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers' decisions regarding immigration benefit requests in order to promote consistency and accuracy in the interpretation of immigration law and policy.

Administrative Review is a process in which people applying for entry clearance / visa applications can challenge the refusal on the basis that the decision is incorrect due to a case working error.

What does a visa refusal under section 221(g) administrative processing mean? A visa refusal under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) means the applicant did not establish eligibility for a visa to the satisfaction of the consular officer, under the law.

What is the yellow slip for administrative processing? ›

What does 221g yellow slip mean? The U.S. issues the yellow slip to a visa applicant when the consulate needs additional time to review the documents. The USCIS does not explicitly state how much longer your application would take. In most cases, your documents just need more time to be validated by the officials.

Administrative Processing

This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the consular officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed back within two business days.

Visa processing takes approximately 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy. A further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for the return of your passport.