New U.S. visa interview rules are coming into effect in April 2025. Here are the key changes
– Mandatory DS-160 Barcode Accuracy: Ensure your DS-160 barcode number matches the one used to book your visa appointment. Any discrepancies will require rescheduling and an additional $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee.
– Advance Digital Submission of Supporting Documents: Upload supporting documents, such as financial records, invitation letters, and employment verification documents, at least 72 hours before your interview via the CEAC portal.
– Changes in Visa Interview Waiver Policy: The U.S. Department of State has revised the visa interview waiver policy, potentially requiring more applicants to attend in-person interviews.
Additionally, the U.S. visa application process may be impacted by changes in the visa bulletin, including ²:
– Employment-Based Visa Categories: Retrogression of Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) unreserved final action dates for China and India due to increased demand.
– Diversity Immigrant Category: The annual limit for diversity visas has been reduced to approximately 52,000 due to the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
