US Embassy Implements New Visa Interview Procedures for Nigerians
US Embassy Implements New Visa Interview Procedures for Nigerians
The United States Embassy has announced new visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants, set to take effect on April 22, 2025.
In a statement released on Friday, the US mission informed that individuals attending visa interviews in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 visa application form that includes a confirmation barcode starting with “AA,” followed by two zeroes. This barcode should match the one used when scheduling the interview online.
The embassy stressed that applicants who fail to provide matching barcode information will be denied entry into the consular section and will not be permitted to attend the interview.
“Beginning April 22, 2025, all visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos must ensure that their DS-160 form contains a confirmation/barcode number starting with AA and followed by 00 that aligns with the appointment booked online. Additionally, appointments must be made at the location specified during the completion of the DS-160,” the statement read.
Applicants are encouraged to verify the consistency of their barcode information at least two weeks prior to their appointment. The embassy also clarified that DS-160 forms cannot be reused from previous applications. In the case of a mismatch, applicants must log into their AVITS account at least ten days before the interview to submit a correction request.
“Please verify that the barcode on your DS-160 form matches the one used to book your appointment at least two weeks prior to your interview. Reusing a DS-160 from a prior application is not permitted. If there is an error in your DS-160 barcode, you should log into your AVITS account to create a support ticket requesting a correction at least ten days before your scheduled appointment,” the statement continued.
Moreover, the US mission reminded applicants to ensure that their visa appointments are aligned with the location indicated in their DS-160 form.
“If you are denied entry due to mismatched barcode numbers, after resolving the issue, you will need to book a new appointment to continue with your visa application. This can be done by logging into your AVITS account, and if your visa fee has expired, you may need to pay a new fee prior to scheduling the appointment,” it added.
These changes are part of the embassy’s ongoing efforts to streamline visa processing and minimize administrative errors. Since January 1, all visa applicants have been required to visit the US Consulate General in Lagos on two occasions as part of the application process.
