Guidance Request Regarding DS-160 Updates and Appointment Confirmation

[syphax 4]

Hello everyone.

 

In early November 2024, I decided to apply for a USA B2 tourist visa. I paid the Aramex service fees, and two days later the appointment calendar opened for me. I selected the earliest available date, which was in mid-April 2025.

 

At that time, I had only opened a DS-160 form in order to pay the Aramex fees and secure the appointment date, I did not complete or submit that DS-160. Several months later, in early April 2025, I created and submitted a new DS-160 without any issues. A friend of mine who had visited the USA told me he had done the same in the past without problems.

However, as I recall, in February 2025, the new Donald Trump administration introduced a requirement that the DS-160 confirmation number must match the confirmation number listed in the visa appointment booking. I assumed this change would not affect me, since I had paid the Aramex fees back in November 2024 before the rule change.

On the day of my interview in April 2025, I passed the security check without any issues. But just before the interview, an embassy staff member reviewed my passport, appointment confirmation, and DS-160 confirmation page. She informed me that my DS-160 confirmation number did not match the one on my appointment record, and that I needed to reapply, reschedule my appointment, and submit a new DS-160 with the matching confirmation number. She gave me an instruction sheet and clarified that I would not need to pay the fees again. I noticed that I was not the only applicant facing this issue, several others had the same problem. From my understanding, before February 2025, the embassy accepted mismatched DS-160 and appointment confirmation numbers, but now they no longer do.

 

A few days later, I followed the instructions: I created a new DS-160 and scheduled a new appointment for early January 2026. I submitted this DS-160 in May 2025.

In July 2025, I lost my passport. I reported the loss to the police and received an official report to request a replacement. It took about 10 days to receive my new passport, which now has a different number, issue date, and expiry date.

 

While reviewing my DS-160, I also noticed another issue: in my travel plan section, I indicated that I would visit the USA in December 2025, which is incorrect since my new appointment is in January 2026.

 

I contacted a travel agency to ask for advice. The representative told me to keep everything as it is, and to simply inform the consular officer about the changes (new passport details and updated travel dates) during my interview. He warned me that if I submit another DS-160 now, I will receive a new confirmation number that will not match my current appointment, which could cause me to lose my slot.

 

My questions are:

1. Should I keep everything as it is and simply explain these changes to the consular officer during my interview? Will they be able to correct this information on the spot?

2. Is there any way to update my DS-160 with the new passport details and travel dates without losing my current appointment confirmation?

 

Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your guidance.

 

 

 

 

[Dashinka 25,972]

Yes, you can clarify the DS160 with the updated travel dates at the interview.  I am not aware of if you can change/update the current DS160 or if it can be, how to do it (I think there might be a way, but it most likely is a royal pain).

 

Good Luck!