If you’ve got a U.S. visa interview arising in 2025 — cease what you’re doing and double-check your DS-160 type proper now. A brand new rule has simply been enforced at U.S. embassies and consulates throughout a number of nations, and it’s already catching candidates off-guard.
The New Rule That Could Cost You Your Visa Interview
The U.S. Department of State has silently rolled out a strict new requirement for all nonimmigrant visa candidates (B1/B2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, and many others.):
The barcode quantity on your DS-160 affirmation web page MUST match the one in your appointment profile.
That 10-character alphanumeric barcode printed on your DS-160 affirmation web page? If it doesn’t match what you submitted when reserving your visa appointment on the CGI Federal/US Travel Docs web site, you possibly can be turned away on the gates of the consulate — no questions requested.
Real Cases of Denied Entry Are Surfacing
Visa facilities have begun refusing entry to candidates whose DS-160 barcode numbers don’t match their appointment information. In many circumstances, candidates are advised to reschedule their interviews, typically weeks later — delaying job begin dates, college enrollments, and household reunions.
According to consular employees in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and components of Latin America, this new enforcement is supposed to crack down on final-minute DS-160 replacements that don’t get correctly up to date within the system — typically resulting in administrative chaos throughout interviews.
Why It’s Happening?
The DS-160 is a crucial part of your visa application. When you fill it out on-line, it generates a distinctive barcode quantity used to trace your info. However, many candidates submit new DS-160s after scheduling appointments (to right errors, replace journey particulars, or change areas), however fail to replace the appointment profile with the brand new barcode.
In 2025, there’s no room for error. If the barcode doesn’t match, you’re out of luck.
What You Must Do to Avoid Rejection?
If you’ve already scheduled your visa interview, take these steps instantly:
- Locate your DS-160 affirmation web page (PDF or printed).
- Check the barcode quantity — it ought to look one thing like AA00B1C2D3.
- Log into your appointment profile at ustraveldocs.com or ceac.state.gov.
- Ensure the DS-160 quantity you entered matches precisely.
- If you submitted a brand new DS-160 after reserving your appointment, replace your profile with the brand new barcode quantity.
- Bring the proper, up to date DS-160 affirmation web page to your interview.
Failure to do that may imply dropping your appointment, being despatched home on the door, and having to attend weeks for a brand new slot.
Who’s Affected?
This rule impacts each U.S. visa applicant attending an in-particular person interview — particularly these making use of for:
- B1/B2 Visitor Visas
- F-1 Student Visas
- J-1 Exchange Visas
- H-1B and different work visas
- Dependent (F-2, H-4, and many others.) visas.
References
US Visa Applicants Now Require Barcode Number on their DS-160 Forms FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
