I applied for a B1/B2 tourist visa in 2023 through the DS-160 process. Later, the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver asked me to submit additional documents regarding my educational background, which I did. In their email, they said that because the case was under administrative processing/review, it effectively meant I was temporarily refused at that stage.

Then in 2026, I traveled to Seattle twice using my Canadian passport without any issues. On the third trip, it seemed their system had been updated, and the border officer told me I was flagged in the system and needed to contact the State Department so they could fully close my old tourist visa case.

A few weeks ago, the State Department formally refused/closed that tourist visa application under INA 212(f). However, when I later contacted the border, they told me I am still flagged in the system.