A Reddit user has shared their experience after receiving a 221(g) refusal during an H-1B visa renewal interview at the US Consulate in Hyderabad, saying their application was placed under administrative processing over a salary discrepancy between their W-2 and Labor Condition Application (LCA).
In a post on Reddit, the applicant said they attended their H-1B visa interview on July 22, 2026. It was their H-1B renewal interview in Hyderabad, while their first H-1B visa stamping had been completed at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai.
According to the post, the consular officer requested the applicant’s latest 2025 W-2 and current LCA. While reviewing the documents, the officer noticed that the salary listed on the W-2 did not match the salary mentioned in the LCA.
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The applicant explained that they had received a salary increase in September 2025, which was reflected in the updated LCA. However, their 2025 tax return and W-2 reflected their earlier salary, creating a difference between the two documents. They also said they did not have a copy of their previous LCA during the interview.
“The VO reviewed the docs, and asked me general questions about role, salary, whether my social media accounts were mentioned (which I did, all of them, and they are public) and any threats in India,” the Reddit user wrote.
The applicant said they were then issued a white 221(g) slip with administrative processing marked and were directed to another consular officer for additional review.
According to the post, the second officer asked several follow-up questions, requested additional documents, and specifically asked for the previous LCA. Since the applicant did not have the document at the interview, they were instructed to email it later. The consulate retained the applicant’s passport.
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The Reddit user said they emailed the requested documents the same day, including the previous LCA, pay slips from the past year, and an explanation for the salary difference.
“I emailed them the same day with everything, my previous LCA, past one year pay slips, explaining why there was a difference. Any suggestions or feedback on how long it takes to approve or any similar experience? I have to travel back to US by Aug first week. I really appreciate any feedback,” the user wrote.
The applicant also sought advice from others on Reddit, asking how long administrative processing under Section 221(g) typically takes and whether anyone had experienced a similar situation while renewing an H-1B visa.