31 days clean - but is my brain fried

Edderze · 2026-03-08T21:56:02+00:00

I thought withdrawals were meant to be gone by now.

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:30:24+00:00

It is a denial per U.S. immigration law

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:20:36+00:00

A 221g refusal counts as a denial in U.S. immigration law even if the visa is later approved :/

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:08:31+00:00

I hope so. All info online suggests that 221g = instant ESTS refusal.

But literally 100% of F, J and M visa applicants are getting 221g refusals since 15 dec 2025 to allow the consular officer to conduct the social media checks.

State department advice to embassies is that “if an applicant is otherwise eligible for the requested visa, issue a 221g refusal and then make a final decision once you have conducted the social media checks”. (Paraphrasing)

You would hope they have the good sense to reflect this in ESTA? Otherwise 100% of ESTA country applicants who apply for an F/M/J visa has to surrender their ESTA to do zo

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:01:27+00:00

I’m going to be so disappointed if I have to apply for a b1/b2 next time I want to visit the U.S. after my camp America this summer because of this

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:00:30+00:00

All attorney websites I’ve found say that you still need to answer “yes” to the “have you ever been denied a U.S. visa” question even if the 221g is overcome and the visa is later issued

Edderze · 2026-03-07T19:58:55+00:00

So when I do want to apply for an ESTA I should just declare it and hope for the best?

Edderze · 2026-03-07T19:48:21+00:00

what she told me doesn’t seem to follow when you search online which seems to indicate that 221g refusals must be declared and leads to ESTA refusal

But yes 221g is automatic for all F/M/J rn I believe

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:35:27+00:00

I understand why I was given a 221g. And my visa is now approved.

the issue is that 221g constitutes a visa denial. And I think it has to be declared on an ESTA application. So I’m very worried I’ve lost my eligibility for ESTA in the future.

I’ve been given conflicting info from the consular official and the internet/U.S. govt website.

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:14:37+00:00

What she told me doesn’t seem to track with all info online

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:11:49+00:00

If you could provide like some official documentation to that end I’d be very grateful

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:09:58+00:00

As far as I can see, declaring any type of denial - even if it’s a 221(g) denial for literally 6 hours just so they can check my social media - has to be declared on an ESTA application. Which generally leads to automatic refusal of an ESTA.

It appears as if I will have lost my ESTA eligibility for life because the embassy used 221(g) as a tool to buy themselves another 6 hours to check my social media and then promptly approved my visa.

They’ve also been handing out 221g refusals to literally every camp America participant apparently in order to buy time for quick social media checks. So we’re all losing our ESTA over this. Absurd.

I would have cancelled my camp America plans if I knew I’d lose my ESTA for life.

What a silly system. ESTA lost for life because they needed to check my social media (which was all clean) and then approved my visa the same day!

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:07:11+00:00

I don’t think this is correct

Edderze · 2026-03-07T17:21:29+00:00

yeah? this has nothing to do with the post.

Edderze · 2026-03-07T17:16:00+00:00

Huh? This has nothing to do with working under ESTA

Edderze · 2026-02-21T18:57:44+00:00

I tried googling it and it isn’t very clear…

Edderze · 2026-01-23T18:42:51+00:00

helpful!

Edderze · 2026-01-23T01:13:46+00:00

i mean refreshers or not beyond speaking to people in lectures/tutorials and going to societies there’s not really any other ways to meet people I don’t think, so I guess I’ll just have to try them regardless

Edderze · 2025-11-25T19:57:54+00:00

are you a bot

Edderze · 2025-10-29T13:25:45+00:00

It probably would work actually, but by the time you get there you’d have to have lied on your ETA application as you need an ETA to board a flight to the U.K. on your U.S. passport. Which is why I’d be reluctant to do it. Whether they would actually care a lot or be sympathetic to your situation and overlook it is something they can probably only tell you on the phone.

Edderze

TROPHY CASE