In May 2025, U.S. consular posts began enforcing new procedural requirements that affect nonimmigrant visa applicants. Under the updated rules, the DS-160 confirmation number must match the number listed on the visa appointment notice exactly. If an applicant appears at their visa interview with a mismatched DS-160 number, they will be turned away and required to reschedule the appointment.

Additionally, consular posts now require that the DS-160 be submitted at least two business days before the visa appointment. Applicants who fail to submit the DS-160 on time may find their appointment invalidated. In cases where the visa application fee (MRV fee) was paid more than 365 days ago and not used, the fee is now considered expired and must be paid again. Applicants may also be required to pay the fee again if the barcode on the appointment confirmation is not properly updated to reflect a new DS-160 number.

These changes underscore the need for applicants to plan ahead and verify the consistency of their application data. Applicants may update their DS-160 number through their online account at https://ais.usvisa-info.com, which allows a one-time edit of the DS-160 number field without canceling the appointment.

Because consular procedures continue to evolve rapidly, should closely monitor consulate-specific announcements and maintain flexibility in visa planning strategies.

By: Rebecca Chen

Rebecca Chen is a Partner at Reddy & Neumann. Her representation includes advising clients throughout the non-immigrant and immigrant visa application process, from initial filing, responding to various requests for evidence, and processing at overseas consulates. Her years of experience in the immigration field have made her a knowledgeable resource for complex business immigration matters.