The United States Embassy has announced new visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants, which will take effect starting April 22.
In a statement released on Friday, the US mission clarified that all applicants attending 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.
“Starting April 22, 2025, all visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number (starting with AA and followed by 00 – two zeroes) that matches the one used to make their appointment online. You also must make your appointment in the location you selected when filling out your DS-160,” the statement read.
The embassy emphasized that applicants who fail to present a matching barcode will be denied entry to the consular section and disqualified from attending the interview.
“Matching Barcode Numbers: If the confirmation/barcode number on your DS-160 form does not match the one you used to book your appointment, you will not be allowed to enter the Consular Section or attend your visa interview,” the statement further noted.
Applicants are encouraged to verify the alignment of their barcode details at least two weeks before their interview.
The embassy also clarified that previously used DS-160 forms cannot be reused. In cases where there is a mismatch, applicants are advised to log into their AVITS account no later than ten days before the interview to submit a correction request.
“At least two weeks before your interview, please double-check that the barcode number on your DS-160 form matches the one you used to schedule your appointment. You cannot reuse a DS-160 from a previous application,” the embassy stated.
“If your DS-160 barcode is incorrect, you must log into your AVITS account at least 10 days before your appointment to create a support ticket requesting correction of your barcode number.”
DS-160 Form
The US mission also reminded applicants to ensure their visa appointment is scheduled at the location indicated on their DS-160 form.
“If you are turned away from your appointment because your barcode numbers do not match, once you correct the problem, you will need to book a new appointment to proceed with your visa application. You may book a new appointment by logging into your AVITS account. If your visa fee has expired, you may have to pay a new fee before booking,” the statement concluded.
These changes are part of ongoing efforts to streamline the visa processing system and reduce administrative errors.
Since January 1, all visa applicants have been required to visit the US Consulate General in Lagos twice as part of the application process.
