H-1Bs getting 221(g) slip from visa officers after social media vetting begins: What does this mean?

After the US State Department started social media vetting on December 15, there is now no immediate approval or rejection of visa appeals and candidates are issued a 221(g) slip. Candidates are also being asked whether they made their social media accounts public and then the visa approval status is updated online. Users on Reddit shared that some saw their status changed to 'approved' by the end of the day while some said they are still waiting even after two days. The visa officers are also keeping the passports of the candidates which, according to Reddit, is a sign that the request will be approved sooner -- if the officer returns to passport, many believe the request may take two to three months.

What is a 221(g) slip?

A 221(g) slip is a notice given by a US consular officer after a visa interview saying your visa cannot be approved right now under Section 221(g) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. It does not mean a denial—it means the case is temporarily refused pending more action. But now everyone is getting this slip. It means additional documents are needed or the case requires administrative processing or some clarification is required.


The slip comes in various colors and now almost all candidates are getting white slip. There is no standard meaning of the colors worldwide and they may vary from consulate to consulate but after social media vetting started, the standard meaning the 221(g) slip conveys is that the decision is pending for social media vetting.

According to immigration experts, the color of the slip does not determine the outcome, the written instructions do.

For social media vetting, H-1B and H-4 visa appointments have been deferred all of a sudden and the H-1Bs of India were the worst hit. Many Indian H-1Bs flew to India to attend their visa stamping in India only to find that the date has been deferred to April, May next year. And those who can't enter the US without a new stamping are now stuck in India, fearing for their jobs.