My heart is heavy with uncertainty after my recent visit to the embassy. I went for my B1/B2 interview, hoping to visit literary festivals in the US, but instead of approval, I received a 221(g) slip. The officer specifically circled the requirement for social media history and mentioned “vetting” my online presence.
Has anyone faced a similar 221(g) specifically related to social media visibility? I have set my poetry accounts to public now, exposing my soulful words to the bureaucracy, but I feel vulnerable.
After making accounts public, did you receive any follow-up or approval? And crucially, how long did it take for your case to move forward? The silence in the verses of this process is deafening.
@bilohidy You’re not alone in this experience. A similar situation happened with one of my family members at the Delhi embassy. They also received a 221(g) slip, and the officer specifically asked for additional review related to online and background checks.
After about one week, they received an email from the embassy calling them for a face-to-face interview again. During that interview, the questions were professional and straightforward, mainly focused on travel purpose and background. After answering clearly, the visa was approved.
The waiting period can feel heavy and uncertain, but in our case, the process did move forward without any negative outcome. Hopefully, your case will follow a similar path. Wishing you clarity and a positive update very soon.
I’ve seen this specific type of 221(g) for social media vetting quite a few times, and while it feels very personal (especially when your work is creative), it’s usually administrative review, not a negative judgment on you or your writing.
When officers ask for social media visibility, they’re mainly checking for consistency — that what you do online aligns with what you stated in your application (purpose of travel, work, affiliations). It doesn’t mean they’re evaluating the content of your poetry or looking for something “wrong,” just making sure there’s nothing undisclosed that changes how they classify your visa.
After applicants make accounts public and comply, it’s very common to hear nothing at all until the status changes. No follow-up questions, no emails — just silence, then movement. Timelines vary a lot: I’ve seen cases clear in about 1–2 weeks, and others take several weeks depending on workload and background checks. Unfortunately, there’s no fixed timeline for 221(g).
The fact that they asked for visibility rather than refusing you outright is important. As long as your social media doesn’t suggest undisclosed work, activism, or long-term intent, many of these cases do move forward.
The waiting really is the hardest part — but a social-media-only 221(g) is generally a pause, not an ending.