If an applicant has been denied a visa, the consular officer will give the applicant a letter explaining why the visa was refused.

If the refusal letter is marked 214(b), it will generally explain that the applicant does not qualify for a visa at this time under U.S. immigration laws. If the applicant chooses to reapply, the applicant needs to submit a new application, pay a new visa fee, schedule a new interview, and provide information on how the circumstances have changed since the initial visa application.

If the refusal letter is marked 221(g), it will generally include a list of documents that can be subsequently submitted for another review of the visa application. The letter will also have instruction on how to submit the additional documents. The applicant will not have to pay the visa application fee again.

Occasionally applications will require additional administrative processing, which may delay the adjudication of a visa. In the event that administrative processing is required, the letter will also be marked 221(g) and additional instructions will be given.

If a visa application is refused 221(g) and the applicant was told to provide further information, the applicant must follow up within one year or their case will be closed. If the consular officer told the applicant that the 221(g) refusal was for administrative processing, then there is no further action for the applicant and the one-year limit does not apply. 221(g) cases requiring administrative processing will be contacted when further action is required.