What does "refused" status mean? (merged)

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

Checked https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=IV for my parents' case status and it says "Refused" for both of them (see attached screenshots). What does "refuse" mean? I filed a petition for my parents with an IR-5 visa and their immigrant visa interview in Manila got cancelled April 6, 2020 due to COVID-19. Reached out to US Embassy Manila via live chat and I was told that refused means it says under administrative processing at this point, which does not make sense to me. Here's what the customer representative said when I asked about the "refused" status:

"Please be advised that if your application requires further administrative processing, the US Embassy Manila will contact you as soon as administrative processing is completed. As each visa case is unique, we regret that we are unable to provide you with any guidance as to how long an administrative process will take. It is under review by the US Embassy. Your case will remain refused while undergoing such processing. The US Embassy will email the applicant once there is an update in their visa application."

Last month they did not attend their visa interview because I was not able to get them an appointment for a medical exam (this must be completed prior to the interview).

Does anyone have any recommendations on what I can do next for my parents? Their case does not seem to be going anywhere. Thank you so much in advance.

[JeanneAdil 6,539]

Refused is the term USCIS now uses while the case(s) go thru AP which can be anything from additional security checks to actual time aloted to print a visa 

 

now,  u need patience for the remainder of the process

 

Refused is not refused as we think of it but refused until a decision is made to approve or to deny

[Chancy 6,241]

23 minutes ago, IAmNoLawyer said:

Last month they did not attend their visa interview because I was not able to get them an appointment for a medical exam (this must be completed prior to the interview).

Does anyone have any recommendations on what I can do next for my parents? Their case does not seem to be going anywhere.

 

"Refused" just means refused pending completion of requirements.  The case will not go anywhere as the US embassy in Manila will not interview applicants without completed medical.  Why were you not able to book the medical appointment?

 

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

Refused is the term USCIS now uses while the case(s) go thru AP which can be anything from additional security checks to actual time aloted to print a visa 

 

now,  u need patience for the remainder of the process

 

Refused is not refused as we think of it but refused until a decision is made to approve or to deny

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. Yeah, the "refused" status made me worry. For one of the cases, the "case last updated" is Aug. 17, 2022 while the other is September 8, 2022. Should I reach out to the US Embassy Manila to follow up or should I continue waiting and for how long?

[Chancy 6,241]

2 minutes ago, IAmNoLawyer said:

Should I reach out to the US Embassy Manila to follow up or should I continue waiting and for how long?

 

Have your parents completed their medical and interview?

 

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

 

"Refused" just means refused pending completion of requirements.  The case will not go anywhere as the US embassy in Manila will not interview applicants without completed medical.  Why were you not able to book the medical appointment?

 

Thank you so much for your reply. I have completed all the requires for both of my parents. The only things remaining are the medical exam and immigrant visa interview. I was not able to book an appointment for a medical exam because St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila requires that you first have a health case created by the US Embassy. This was not the case before COVID-19, you could just book an appointment without such requirement.

[Chancy 6,241]

1 minute ago, IAmNoLawyer said:

I was not able to book an appointment for a medical exam because St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila requires that you first have a health case created by the US Embassy.

 

In that case, you need to keep following up with USEM to issue the health case numbers for your parents.  No need to bother with the "Refused" status on CEAC.  It doesn't matter.  Just simply request for their HCN so you can get on with the re-booking of their medical.

 

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

Have your parents completed their medical and interview?

They have not. I keep checking on https://cgifederal.secure.force.com for an immigrant visa interview and I keep getting a message "There are currently no appointments available." 

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

 

In that case, you need to keep following up with USEM to issue the health case numbers for your parents.  No need to bother with the "Refused" status on CEAC.  It doesn't matter.  Just simply request for their HCN so you can get on with the re-booking of their medical.

 

I see. So at the moment I am not able to make an appointment for an immigrant visa interview for both of them because there are no dates available. If I manage to get health case numbers and have their medical exams completed, what happens if I don't get them scheduled for an IV interview? Do you know how long the medical exam results are valid for?

[Chancy 6,241]

2 minutes ago, IAmNoLawyer said:

If I manage to get health case numbers and have their medical exams completed, what happens if I don't get them scheduled for an IV interview? Do you know how long the medical exam results are valid for?

 

Medical results are valid for 6 months maximum, if no sputum testing required.  3 months, if sputum testing required and cleared.

 

I recommend you join the thread below (and their FB group) to help you monitor the scheduling portal for available interview slots --

 

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

3 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Medical results are valid for 6 months maximum, if no sputum testing required.  3 months, if sputum testing required and cleared.

 

I recommend you join the thread below (and their FB group) to help you monitor the scheduling portal for available interview slots --

This is a great source! Thank you so much! What is the name of the FB group?

 

[Crazy Cat 41,974]

Please do not start another thread regarding this subject.  One duplicate removed.  Thanks.

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

4 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Medical results are valid for 6 months maximum, if no sputum testing required.  3 months, if sputum testing required and cleared.

 

I recommend you join the thread below (and their FB group) to help you monitor the scheduling portal for available interview slots --

 

Thank you! Do you know the name of the FB group?

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Please do not start another thread regarding this subject.  One duplicate removed.  Thanks.

Noted. Sorry, did not know it's not allowed.

[Chancy 6,241]

Just now, IAmNoLawyer said:

Do you know the name of the FB group?

 

No, but I'm sure it was mentioned somewhere in the thread I linked above.

 

[IAmNoLawyer 1]

3 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

No, but I'm sure it was mentioned somewhere in the thread I linked above.

 

I just did a search and I found it. Page 13. IR5 Parents Visa Journey (Form I-130) is the name of FB group TY

Edited September 13, 2022 by IAmNoLawyer