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

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Overview

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). The consular officer will either tell you that the case has to undergo administrative processing, or will ask you to submit additional information.

If further information is required from you, the consular officer will tell you how to submit that information. When your visa application is refused under section 221(g), you will be given a written letter notifying you of the visa refusal and will have 12 months from that date to submit the requested documents without having to reapply and without having to pay a new visa application fee. If you do not submit the requested documents within one year, your application may be terminated per section 203(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

If the U.S. Embassy requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents following the instructions given to you by the U.S. Embassy on the 221(g) refusal sheet.

Who is eligible to schedule an appointment?

Only eligible immigrant visa applicants (including K-1s and SB-1s) who receive a written letter with specific instructions to schedule an appointment may schedule an appointment to return to the Embassy and submit the additional information and/or documents. Those applicants who do not receive a written letter with such instructions should NOT schedule an appointment on this page.

Schedule my appointment

As soon as you have obtained ALL of the information and/or documents listed in the letter, please follow the step-by-step instructions below to schedule an appointment to return to the Embassy and submit the additional information and/or documents in person.

Step 1 – Create an account here If you already have your own account, please move to Step 2.

Step 2 – Log in to your account

Step 3 – After logging in, you will be taken to a Dashboard, please look at the left of the Dashboard, click on “New Application / Schedule Appointment”, and follow the instructions below:

  • Choose “Immigrant Visa”, then click “Continue”.
  • Choose “Follow up appointment”, then click “Continue”.
  • Fill in all the required fields, then click “Continue”.
  • Answer the questions as “Yes” or “No” to continue.
  • Fill in your Case ID number, then click Continue.
  • Choose your preferred date and time from the calendar, then click “Schedule Appointment”. If there are currently no appointments available, please go back to the scheduling system at a later time. Our office typically schedules additional 221(g) appointment slots on a rolling basis depending on the demand for appointments. Therefore, we recommend you check the appointment system periodically for availability.
  • Click on “Printable Version” and print out the Appointment Confirmation Page.

Once you have scheduled an appointment and printed out the 221(g) Appointment Confirmation Page, you may return to the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia with the following documents:

  1. The Refusal Sheet;
  2. The 221(g) Appointment Confirmation Page;
  3. ALL of the information and/or documents listed in the Refusal Letter;
  4. Original passports of all eligible travelling applicants.

You will be unable to enter the Embassy without having the Refusal Letter and the 221(g) Appointment Confirmation Page.

If you have questions, please submit an inquiry form at: IVPhnomPenh@state.gov

Some refused visa applications may be refused under section 221(g) because further administrative processing is required. The consular officer who interviews you will tell you at the end of your interview if your case is being refused under 221(g) due to required administrative processing. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. 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 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

You may check your immigrant visa application status online here by entering your interview location and your case number.  Please note that your case will remain in refused status unless the consular officer is able to conclude you are eligible for your visa.

Visa Ineligibilities and Waiver

If you were informed by the consular officer that you were found ineligible to receive a visa, but were eligible to apply for a waiver of the visa ineligibility, please refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website  for information regarding waiver application procedures.