F-1 Visa Approved, Then Marked as Refused: Confusion and Concern in Online Community

An Indian student’s U.S. study plans took an unexpected turn after her F-1 visa—initially approved during the interview—was later marked as "refused" on the U.S. State Department’s CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center) portal.

The student attended her visa interview at a U.S. consulate earlier this month. She was asked standard questions, including her reasons for choosing a particular university—one the officer recognized as reputable—and details about her current job. At the end of the interview, the visa officer informed her that her application had been approved.

Believing the process was complete, the student began making preparations for her journey to the U.S. However, ten days passed with no further communication. When she checked her CEAC status, she was shocked to see it listed as “Refused.”

A friend, posting on her behalf in an online forum, wrote: “This is really scary and so frustrating to go through. She was under the impression everything went well, only to find out days later that something changed behind the scenes.”

What Does “Refused” Really Mean?
The online community quickly responded with insights and reassurances. One commenter clarified, “A ‘Refused’ status after an F-1 interview approval often means the case is undergoing administrative processing under Section 221(g). It’s not necessarily a denial—it could just indicate additional review is needed before final approval.”

Another user added, “Check the wording beneath the 'Refused' line. If it's just 2–3 lines, it’s likely a refusal requiring reapplication. But if there’s a full paragraph, it typically means administrative processing (AP) is underway.”

A more optimistic reply read: “This happened to my friend too. The officer said approved, no rejection letter or 221(g) form was given, and the passport was taken. It turned out to be background checks—she eventually got her visa.”

One user shared a personal timeline:

“Had my interview on June 2—approved on the spot. By June 10, the status changed to ‘Refused.’ On June 12, I received my passport back with a 221(g) slip. I submitted the required documents on June 18, and on June 23, my status changed to ‘Issued’!”

Next Steps
Experts recommend not panicking and starting with your university’s Designated School Official (DSO) for clarification. If needed, consulting a licensed immigration attorney can also help provide clarity and guidance.

While the situation is understandably stressful, many students in similar situations have gone on to receive their visas after a short delay due to administrative checks.

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