Visa Delays due to Administrative Processing
Visa wait times can vary widely by country, and by specific U.S. Embassy/Consulate location within a country. The U.S. Department of State provides general information about visa wait times [times provided are general estimate and may not be routinely updated].
Applicants who have successfully scheduled a visa appointment should be prepared for the possibility of additional wait times following the visa interview. While most visa applications are adjudicated by a consular officer at the time of visa interview, some applications may require additional time and consideration prior to the visa being adjudicated. Administrative Processing [or INA 221(g)] is the term used by the U.S. Department of State when an immediate decision cannot be made by the consular officer during the visa interview. Government processing times for administrative processing cases are indefinite. The U.S. Department of State Website provides more information about Administrative Processing.
The Department of State does not allow status inquiries until 60 days after the initiation of administrative processing. If 60 days have passed without a decision, visa applicants may attempt to independently contact the U.S. Consulate to inquire about their case, although Consulates are not always responsive to such inquiries. It is important to note that the visa application and its approval or denial is at the full discretion of the Department of State, and no outside entity has the ability to influence the speed or outcome. As such, we are unable to submit inquiries on behalf of visa applicants.
Who is Subject to Administrative Processing?
While the below list is not exhaustive, administrative processing may be prompted by any of the following factors:
- Incomplete documentation: If required documents are missing or incomplete during the visa interview, the applicant may be given the opportunity to provide additional documents as necessary and will remain subject to Administrative Processing until the consular officer receives and reviews the missing items
- Additional review: A consular officer may need additional time to consider an application, especially if they are dealing with a complex case, they need to further consult legal resources pertaining to the case, or where the applicant may not have been fully prepared to answer questions during the interview and the officer needs more time to evaluate
- Applicant’s Background: There are a number of considerations regarding an applicant’s background which may delay issuance of a visa while the consular officer further reviews the case. This list may include (but is not limited to) an applicant’s field of study or research, prior visa denials, concerns of fraud, criminal history, or national security concerns. Applicants from countries designated by the Department of State as State Sponsors of Terrorism always undergo a security clearance. Cases that require security clearances or that trigger national security concerns can require extensive background checks involving various government and law enforcement agencies
What happens when an applicant becomes subject to Administrative Processing?
If the consular officer determines that administrative processing is required, they may provide the applicant with form 221(g) indicating that their visa application was subject to administrative processing. This form may include a list of any missing documents and provide further instructions for how to respond. If no letter or notification was provided during the visa interview, applicants may attempt to contact the consulate where they applied to inquire further. After the visa interview, an applicant may attempt to track their case on the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website and notice that their visa status shows as “Refused”. In the context of administrative processing, there is a possibility that the refusal may be overcome and does not immediately equate to a “Denial”.
How long does Administrative Processing take?
The duration of administrative processing varies by case. The consular officer reviewing the case may need additional documentation from the applicant or require additional time to make a decision. In some scenarios, the consular officer may be required to advance the case to the Department of State in Washington D.C., after which the speed of processing is out of their control. While most cases are resolved in a few months, other cases can take many months or years to complete or never reach resolution. Because this is deemed a National Security matter, no outside entity has the ability to influence the speed or outcome of a visa application [this includes JHU faculty/staff, and even members of Congress]. Once Administrative Processing been initiated by the U.S. Consulate, it cannot be stopped until it has been completed.
What to do if subject to Administrative Processing?
While visa applicants may reduce the likelihood of administrative processing by attending a visa interview equipped with thorough documentation and come prepared to answer visa interview questions fully, clearly, and briefly—in many cases Administrative Processing cannot be avoided.
The Department of State does not allow status inquiries until 60 days after the initiation of administrative processing. If 60 days have passed without a decision, visa applicants may attempt to independently contact the U.S. Consulate to inquire about their case, although Consulates are not always responsive to such inquiries. It is important to note that the visa application and its approval or denial is at the full discretion of the U.S. Department of State, and no outside entity has the ability to influence the speed or outcome. However, submitting an inquiry may help to elevate awareness of the case to the U.S. Department of State.
For more information on how to defer your program dates in the event of becoming subject to administrative processing or other visa-related issues, review the section below on “Follow Up Steps for Visa Delays or Denials”.
Visa Denials
When applying for a U.S. visa, there are a number of reasons that a U.S. Consular Officer may choose to deny the application. The U.S. Department of State website provides additional information about Visa Denials, and the most common scenarios that may result in a visa denial.
Individuals applying for non-immigrant visa classifications (such as F-1 and J-1) may reduce the likelihood of a visa denial by attending their interview prepared to demonstrate strong ties to their home country. However, one of the most common reasons for non-immigrant visa denials is under 214b (failure to overcome presumption of non-immigrant intent). Other less common reasons for visa denial may be more difficult to prepare for.
There are a number of follow-up actions individuals can take in the aftermath of a visa denial. If the denial occurs in-person immediately following the visa interview, remain calm and ask for the reason for the denial in writing. Once you have received the denial, write down as much about the interview as you can remember (i.e. the questions you were asked, the answers you provided and any supporting documentation that you provided to the consulate). Visit the section below for more information on how to work with OIS in the event of a visa denial.
It is important to note that in most cases, applicants may choose to reapply for a visa, but it is not advisable to do so until/unless you can provide new and compelling information that was not provided during the original application.
Follow-up Steps for Visa Delays or Denials
Individuals who encounter a visa delay due to administrative processing or visa denial should contact OIS as well as their hosting school or department at Johns Hopkins as soon as possible and formulate a contingency plan.
F-1 and J-1 Students
- Degree and Exchange Students: In most cases, students must be able to arrive on campus and begin classes within 30 days of the start date of the term. However, schools or departments require an earlier arrival date. If a student is not able to arrive by the deadline, it may be necessary to modify the dates on their form I-20 or DS-2019. Possible contingency plans may include an academic deferral to a future term or academic year, remote/online study or a leave of absence
- Visiting Students (J-1 non-Degree): If the JHU hosting school or department is able to delay the program beyond its original start date, they must submit the date change request to OIS to update the DS-2019 dates accordingly
Scholars and Employees [J-1, H1B, TN, O-3, etc.]
- OIS may need to modify dates on an individual’s immigration documents to accommodate visa-related arrival delays and can only do so if the JHU hosting school or department is able to delay the program or appointment beyond its original start date
- Once appointment documentation has been updated by the hosting school/department, OIS will update the program dates on relevant immigration documents accordingly
- If the hosting school/department or applicant decides to withdraw the appointment, OIS requires notification in order to cancel the immigration documents
Reporting Administrative Processing or Visa Denials to OIS
Outside entities (including OIS), have no ability to influence the speed or outcome of a visa application, but we collect information for the purpose of identifying and monitoring trends, and to prioritize and advocate around visa-related issues for our international clientele. Follow the instructions below to report an administrative processing or a visa denial:
Email OIS with the following information:
- Visa type you applied for (i.e. F-1, J-1, H1B, etc.)
- U.S. consulate(s) where you applied for Visa
- Date(s) of Visa application
- DOS Case # (if available)
- Reason for Reporting (i.e. Admin Processing, Visa Denial, other)
- Date of Visa Denial(s) (if applicable)
- Reason for Visa Denial (if provided)
*Also attach any documentation or communication received from the Consulate regarding your visa delay or denial.*
To report visa delays or denials:
