On March 3, 2020, the Department of State (DOS) changed the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website (i.e., the online portal for visa applicants) with regards to how it indicates that a visa application is under administrative review. Previously, the information displayed was: “Administrative Processing”. This has changed so that the case status page now reflects that the application was “Refused.”
This does not mean that the application has a final refusal. You will have to monitor the CEAC page for updates. Once administrative processing concludes, if the individual has been cleared the system will update.
The DOS confirms that there has been no change in the applicants’ actual case. They further state that this is an administrative change to more accurately communicate case status to applicants. This is because visa applicants whose case status on CEAC had previously displayed as “Administrative Processing” had been refused under section 221(g) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
This “refused” status may change if:
- The applicant can demonstrate to a consular officer he or she is eligible for a visa; or
- Information comes to the attention of the consular officer from other sources that resolve any outstanding issues relating to the applicant’s eligibility for the visa.
Applicants should refer to the instructions the consular officer gave at the end of the visa interview and to travel.state.gov/visas for more information about their case.
Updates as they occur can continue to be found on our news page: http://www.jackson-hertogs.com/news-2/
