What Is D160 Confirmation Number

The DS-160 confirmation number is the application ID shown after you submit your online U.S. nonimmigrant visa application. You’ll need it when you create or update your U.S. visa appointment profile, and you’ll need the related confirmation page at your interview.

Several names are used for the same part of the process, which causes confusion:

• Application ID: The identifying number assigned to your DS-160 application.
• AA barcode number: The barcode reference shown on the DS-160 confirmation page. It starts with AA.
• DS-160 confirmation page: The page created after you finish and submit the form. It displays the barcode, your photo, the selected consulate, and your application ID.

These items are connected, but they aren't exactly the same thing. The number identifies your application. The confirmation page is the document that shows the number and proves you completed the submission step.

What the DS-160 confirmation number is

The DS-160 confirmation number is the reference used to identify your submitted application in the CEAC DS-160 system. CEAC is the online system used for the electronic visa application.

You receive the number after completing and submitting the DS-160. The system then produces a DS-160 confirmation page. Keep this page because it contains the information you’ll need for the appointment process.

Think of the process this way:

1. You complete the DS-160 online.
2. You submit the application.
3. A confirmation page is produced.
4. The page displays your application ID and an AA-starting barcode.
5. You use that information for your appointment profile and interview.

The confirmation number is not a visa number. It also isn't a decision on your application. It identifies the submitted form so it can be connected to the rest of your visa application process.

Where to find the number on your DS-160 confirmation page

Look at the upper-right area of the DS-160 application page. The application ID appears there.

After submission, check the confirmation page for the same identifying information. You should also see:

• A barcode
• A barcode number beginning with AA
• Your photo
• The consulate you selected

The exact layout may be easier to read on a saved or printed page than on a phone screen. If you have the page open, look for the number near the top and compare it with the AA-starting number below or beside the barcode.

A common mistake is to search for a label that says only “confirmation number.” The page may show the application ID or the barcode number instead. That is why it helps to understand the three terms:

• The application ID is the main reference for the form.
• The AA barcode is the scannable reference tied to that form.
• The confirmation page is the document containing both the identifying details and other application information.

If a website or appointment profile asks for your DS-160 confirmation number, use the number shown on your submitted DS-160 confirmation page. Check carefully before entering it.

How the DS-160 barcode and application ID relate

The barcode and application ID work together to identify your DS-160.

The barcode number on the confirmation page starts with AA. This is the number that must match the number entered in your appointment profile. The application ID is also shown as an identifying reference for the form, including in the top-right area of the application page.

This can feel like two different application numbers, especially if you're looking at several pages or emails. The safest approach is to use the confirmation page as your main reference. Don't copy a number from memory or assume that a different email reference is the same as the AA barcode.

Before moving on, check that:

• You have submitted the DS-160, rather than only saved a draft.
• You are looking at the confirmation page produced after submission.
• The barcode number begins with AA.
• The number in your appointment profile matches the number on the confirmation page.

The confirmation page is the document that ties these details together. Save it before closing the page.

How to get or reprint your DS-160 confirmation page

If you are still completing the DS-160, submit the online application first. After submission, save the confirmation page to your device and print a copy if possible.

It’s wise to keep more than one copy:

• Save the page as a file.
• Print a paper copy.
• Keep the file somewhere you can find it again.
• Make sure the barcode and application ID are readable.

If you already submitted the DS-160 but no longer have the page, use the available CEAC DS-160 retrieval or printing options to look for it. The supplied information also indicates that a submission confirmation or reference number may be available in your email, so search the email account used during the application process.

Search for messages related to the DS-160 submission. If you find a reference number, compare it with the information shown when you retrieve or reprint the confirmation page.

Be careful not to treat a saved draft as a submitted application. The page you need for the appointment is the confirmation page created after submission.

If you cannot retrieve the page or the information does not match, avoid guessing. Check the application and appointment systems carefully before scheduling or attending the interview.

Using the number when scheduling a U.S. visa appointment

Your DS-160 number connects the online visa application with your U.S. visa appointment profile.

When you schedule the appointment, the appointment system asks for information from your DS-160. Enter the number from the confirmation page, including the AA at the beginning of the barcode number when that is the format shown.

This step matters because the appointment profile must point to the correct application. If you enter the wrong number, the appointment information may not match the DS-160 you plan to use.

Before submitting the appointment profile, compare the fields side by side:

The names and other details should also be checked for errors. The key check is the barcode number. It must match the number in the appointment profile.

Checking that the barcode matches your appointment profile

Once your appointment profile is created, review the DS-160 number shown there. Compare every character with the AA-starting barcode number on your confirmation page.

Pay special attention to:

• The AA at the beginning
• Similar-looking letters and numbers
• Missing or extra characters
• A number copied from a different applicant’s form
• A number from an older or different DS-160

If the numbers do not match, don't assume the difference is harmless. The supplied information establishes that the barcode number on the DS-160 page must match the number in the appointment profile. Follow the instructions in the relevant appointment system to correct the profile or update the DS-160 information.

This is also why you should not schedule first and plan to find the confirmation page later. Find the submitted DS-160 page, identify the correct barcode, and use that number from the start.

What to bring to the visa interview

Bring your DS-160 confirmation page to the interview. It should show the application ID and barcode clearly.

The page includes:

• Your application ID
• The AA-starting barcode
• Your photo
• The selected consulate

Keep the page flat and readable if you bring a printed copy. If you saved an electronic copy, make sure you can access it, but don't rely only on a number written down separately. The confirmation page is the document you were instructed to bring.

Your appointment information and other required documents may depend on the instructions for your application and consulate. The facts covered here establish one clear requirement: bring the DS-160 confirmation page with the application ID to the interview.

Does a confirmation number mean your DS-160 was approved?

No. A confirmation number does not mean your visa was approved.

It shows that you completed and submitted the DS-160 and that the application has a confirmation page for use in the appointment process. It helps identify and retrieve the application. It does not show the result of the visa interview or prove that a visa will be issued.

So, if you ask, “How do I know if my DS-160 is approved?” the confirmation page alone does not answer that question. The supplied information explains submission confirmation and appointment use, but it does not establish an approval status or a separate approval message.

The same caution applies to validity. The information provided here does not state how long a DS-160 confirmation remains valid. Don't rely on an unverified time period. Check the instructions connected with your application if you need an answer about timing.

Before the interview, save or print your DS-160 confirmation page and compare its AA-starting barcode with the number in your appointment profile. That small check can help make sure the appointment is connected to the application you actually submitted.