Not every refusal means the same thing.

The word “refusal” at a U.S. consulate covers very different outcomes. Some are final, some are just a pause, and the difference changes everything about what you should do next. Find the code on your slip below, or start with the two we see most often at India posts.

Written for India applicantsUpdated April 2026Not legal advice

How to tell which one you have.

214(b)

The officer made a final decision on your current application. You were not approved. Your passport is returned at the window. Your path forward is a new application when something has meaningfully changed.

221(g)

The officer did not make a final decision. Your case is paused pending documents from you, or back-end review by the consulate. Your passport is retained. Your path forward is either submitting documents or waiting for the review to complete.

Visa refusal

Not every refusal means the same thing.

Written for India applicantsUpdated April 2026Not legal advice

Refusal codes we cover

Find your code.

The code is printed on the slip you received at the window. Read the one that matches yours. If you’re not sure which you have, read both: the contrast between them is often the clearest explanation of what happened.

Quick orientation

How to tell which one you have.

214(b): The officer made a final decision on your current application. You were not approved. Your passport is returned at the window. Your path forward is a new application when something has meaningfully changed.
221(g): The officer did not make a final decision. Your case is paused pending documents from you, or back-end review by the consulate. Your passport is retained. Your path forward is either submitting documents or waiting for the review to complete.

If you need to re-interview

Our practice tool is here when you’re ready.

A reapplication interview is a fresh interview. Rehearsing the specific change in your case, once or twice, is the most useful thing you can do the week before you go back. Free to start.

Start a free practice session See visa-specific prep

Not every refusal means the same thing.

Find your code.

How to tell which one you have.

Our practice tool is here when you’re ready.

Not every refusal means the same thing.

Find your code.

How to tell which one you have.

Our practice tool is here when you’re ready.

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