Even though the 221(g) rule is the same across all U.S. Consulates, different consulates have been asking for varying levels of information for several visas, such as the H-1 visa. Even though the specific color itself may not mean anything, several U.S. Consulates, specifically in India, have been using 221(g) forms of different colors to indicate different types of requirements or problems.
Many cases are put under administrative processing for security review. In most cases, there is no security issue. Still, visa applications remain pending for weeks or months.
U.S. Consulate, Chennai
After your interview, if you were found temporarily ineligible for a visa under section 221(g), you would be given either a blue or pink instruction sheet. You need to follow the procedure given below, and you no longer have to make phone calls and/or send emails to the American Consulate in Chennai. The U.S. Consulate in Chennai has an online status check system for some administrative processing cases.
Blue Form
The blue handout is given to candidates from whom additional documents are required. When you have the required documents, either from the petitioner, from you, or from both, you should submit all the requirements either in person on the given days and times to the consulate or drop them off at the VFS drop box. Specific instructions regarding which documents are required and how to submit them are provided in your blue form. These instructions vary on a case-by-case basis.
Do not make an appointment. Do not contact the consulate regarding the status of your case. Applicants with such cases will be contacted by the U.S. Consulate in Chennai when further action is required from the applicant.
A case number is marked on the form for your further communication.
Sample 221(g) Blue Form in HTML and in PDF
Pink Form
If you received a pink form, you can check the status of your case online. The case status report is updated regularly.
Pink Form: Sample in PDF
White Form
Some applicants have received a white form at Chennai for a 221(g) refusal. Contents of this form are exactly the same as the blue form. There is no apparent difference. It appears that the form is printed on a different-colored piece of paper but means the same thing.
Inappropriate Consulate
Complete details if you were rejected under section 221(g) and are instructed to reapply at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai.
U.S. Embassy, New Delhi
After your interview, if you were found temporarily ineligible for a visa under section 221(g), you would be given either a green, yellow, or pink instruction sheet. You need to follow the procedure given below, and you no longer have to make phone calls and/or send emails to the American Embassy in New Delhi. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has an online status check system for some administrative processing cases.
Green or Yellow Form
No online information available
A green or yellow handout is given to candidates from whom additional documents are required. When you have the required documents, either from the petitioner, from you, or from both, you should submit all the requirements either in person on given days and times to the consulate or drop them off at the VFS drop box. Specific instructions regarding which documents are required and how to submit them are provided in your green or yellow form. These instructions vary on a case-by-case basis.
Do not make an appointment. Do not contact the embassy regarding the status of your case. Applicants with such cases will be contacted by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi when further action is required from the applicant.
A case number is marked on the form for your further communication.
Yellow Form: Sample in HTML
Green Form: Sample in HTML and in PDF
Pink Form
If you received a pink form, you can check the status of your case online. The case status report is updated regularly.
U.S. Consulate, Mumbai
White Form: Sample in HTML and in PDF
Yellow Form: Sample in HTML and in PDF
U.S. Consulate, Hyderabad
Pink Form: Sample in HTMLand in PDF
