The United States Embassy in Nigeria has introduced new visa interview requirements for all Nigerian applicants, set to take effect from April 22, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, the embassy emphasized that all individuals attending visa interviews at its Abuja and Lagos locations must present a DS-160 visa application form bearing a confirmation barcode that starts with “AA” followed by two zeroes (00). Importantly, the barcode must match the one used to schedule the interview appointment online.
Applicants who arrive with mismatched DS-160 barcodes will be denied entry to the Consular Section and automatically disqualified from their scheduled interviews.
“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,” the statement read. It further stressed that interviews must be scheduled at the same location listed on the DS-160 form.
To avoid disruptions, the embassy advised applicants to confirm that their DS-160 barcode details align with their appointment information at least two weeks before their interview date. Additionally, the embassy warned that DS-160 forms from previous applications cannot be reused.
In cases of mismatched barcodes, applicants must log into their AVITS accounts no later than 10 days before their scheduled interview to request corrections via a support ticket.
The embassy also noted that any applicant turned away for barcode issues must rectify the problem and reschedule their appointment. If the visa application fee has expired, a new payment may be required.
As part of broader changes implemented since January 1, 2025, all applicants are also required to make two visits to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos as part of the visa process.
These new guidelines are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the visa application process for Nigerian travelers.
