In a troubling and increasingly common experience among international visa applicants, a Colombian national residing in the United Arab Emirates has shared on Reddit that their U.S. B1/B2 visa renewal application was returned without approval, clarification, or a 221(g) form—leaving them uncertain about the next steps.
The Reddit user, who has held a U.S. tourist/business visa for over 20 years without any prior immigration issues, applied for renewal via the U.S. Interview Waiver (Dropbox) program at the VFS Global center in Dubai’s WAFI Mall. Their DS-160 form was originally submitted in December 2024, while the visa fee was paid in May 2025. Documents were handed over to VFS on June 10, and the passport was returned a week later—on June 17—without a visa and no accompanying explanation.
What stands out in the case is that the CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center) status lists the case as “Refused – Administrative Processing”, yet the applicant did not receive the usual 221(g) form or any follow-up instruction, email, or request for an interview.
Multiple factors could be at play, the user speculates. At the time of DS-160 submission, they listed a June 2025 trip but delayed the actual application process. Additionally, their UAE residence visa is set to expire in July 2025, their company’s trade license had lapsed (but is currently being renewed), and they recently discovered that both their parents were approved for U.S. permanent residency in June.
Without formal communication from the U.S. Consulate, the applicant is now unsure whether their case is still pending administrative processing or if they have been effectively denied and must start the process over with a new DS-160 and in-person interview.
The post has drawn attention from others facing similar uncertainty in administrative processing cases. Some Redditors advised patience, noting that “Refused” status can still shift if a case is reactivated. Others recommended beginning a fresh application, especially if circumstances have changed significantly since the initial DS-160 submission.