Frankfurt - L1B Pink Slip 221g - is my case no longer under review?

[l1bhopeful]

Hi,
My I-129S were returned back with my passport after L1-B interview with 221g slip for Administrative Processing - is my case no longer under consideration?

this is my L1B visa interview experience.
I have been working for 2 years for one of the FAANG companies in Germany and I have a Master's degree in CS.

Officer only took two copies of I-129S from me. Said that is the only document needed, nothing else.

Officer: Hi, what will you be doing in the company in US?
Me: ** explained what my organization in the company does, what products we work on and specifically the tasks (e.g. product recommendation) in the product. I work on very well known products, so the Officer seemed to understand everything I said.
Officer: When did you join the company?
Me: 1st September 2020
Officer: 2021?
Me: No, 2020.
Officer: What will be your job title?
Me: Software Engineer II. I started as Software Engineer I.

Officer typed all of this in the system. Then issued me pink slip with 221g for administrative processing signalling end of the interview.
Me: Does this mean my visa is rejected?
Officer: No, it does not mean it's rejected. If it was rejected, I would tell you.
Me: How much time does administrative processing take?
Officer: Hard to say. For some it takes a few days, for others a few weeks. If you want, you can have your passport back. If we require the passport again, we will email you.
Me: No, that's okay you can keep the passport. Do you want to ask me anymore questions about the job etc?
Officer: No. It's a systems thing.

I walked out of the interview room and reconsidered it. I have some travel plans in November and as it was not known how much time the administrative processing will take I approached the receptionist and told her that I wanted my passport back as the Officer had told me I could have it back if I wanted.
The receptionist said she could not let me back in but I will get an email tomorrow.

One day after my interview, my passport was returned back in the mail along with both I129S. As the I-129S were returned as well, does this mean my case is no longer under consideration?

On the CEAC website, it says my case is "Refused" with:

A U.S. consular officer has adjudicated and refused your visa application. Please follow any instructions provided by the consular officer. If you were informed by the consular officer that your case was refused for administrative processing, your case will remain refused while undergoing such processing. You will receive another adjudication once such processing is complete. Please be advised that the processing time varies and that you will be contacted if additional information is needed. For more information, please visit TRAVEL.STATE.GOV or the website for the Embassy or Consulate at which you made your visa application. For more information, please visit U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt.


The last updated date on the website is still the date of my interview.

[Mertc]

What is mentioned on the 221g? It sounds like your visa will process but they need to do some background check. This happened to me before I was told they were running my name to check previous violations etc. Sometimes it is random, sometimes it is more likely if you have a common name etc. I know it sucks not knowing about the timeline but to me it sounds like your visa will be approved eventually.

[l1bhopeful]

The 221g says "administrative processing" - no more documents needed.
The Consulate replied back - it is still under review. So I am still hopeful!
Thank you so much for the reassurance!

[7hillsrao]

Hi,
My I-129S were returned back with my passport after L1-B interview with 221g slip for Administrative Processing - is my case no longer under consideration?

this is my L1B visa interview experience.
I have been working for 2 years for one of the FAANG companies in Germany and I have a Master's degree in CS.

Officer only took two copies of I-129S from me. Said that is the only document needed, nothing else.

Officer: Hi, what will you be doing in the company in US?
Me: ** explained what my organization in the company does, what products we work on and specifically the tasks (e.g. product recommendation) in the product. I work on very well known products, so the Officer seemed to understand everything I said.
Officer: When did you join the company?
Me: 1st September 2020
Officer: 2021?
Me: No, 2020.
Officer: What will be your job title?
Me: Software Engineer II. I started as Software Engineer I.

Officer typed all of this in the system. Then issued me pink slip with 221g for administrative processing signalling end of the interview.
Me: Does this mean my visa is rejected?
Officer: No, it does not mean it's rejected. If it was rejected, I would tell you.
Me: How much time does administrative processing take?
Officer: Hard to say. For some it takes a few days, for others a few weeks. If you want, you can have your passport back. If we require the passport again, we will email you.
Me: No, that's okay you can keep the passport. Do you want to ask me anymore questions about the job etc?
Officer: No. It's a systems thing.

I walked out of the interview room and reconsidered it. I have some travel plans in November and as it was not known how much time the administrative processing will take I approached the receptionist and told her that I wanted my passport back as the Officer had told me I could have it back if I wanted.
The receptionist said she could not let me back in but I will get an email tomorrow.

One day after my interview, my passport was returned back in the mail along with both I129S. As the I-129S were returned as well, does this mean my case is no longer under consideration?

On the CEAC website, it says my case is "Refused" with:

A U.S. consular officer has adjudicated and refused your visa application. Please follow any instructions provided by the consular officer. If you were informed by the consular officer that your case was refused for administrative processing, your case will remain refused while undergoing such processing. You will receive another adjudication once such processing is complete. Please be advised that the processing time varies and that you will be contacted if additional information is needed. For more information, please visit TRAVEL.STATE.GOV or the website for the Embassy or Consulate at which you made your visa application. For more information, please visit U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt.


The last updated date on the website is still the date of my interview.

L1B, that simple? generally L1b's are meant for skilled manager or specialized knowledge expert, your tile is eng-ii is pretty low i feel, i am not sure why VO didnt ask specific questions like your team size, skill you have, supervision you do etc,.

[Frances76]

Your case is absolutely still under consideration. The return of your passport and I-129S does NOT mean your case is closed or denied. This is standard procedure during 221(g) administrative processing, consulates often return documents when they expect processing to take some time.

The "Refused" status on CEAC is also normal for 221(g) cases; it's a placeholder, not a final denial. Your case will remain in this status until administrative processing completes, at which point it will change to "Issued" or (rarely) a final refusal.

The officer clearly told you this wasn't a rejection. Your interview went well, and the hold appears to be routine background/security checks ("systems thing"). Processing times vary from days to weeks. Just wait for the consulate to contact you if they need your passport again. Monitor CEAC for updates. Hang in there, this is part of the process, not the end.