The United States Embassy has announced changes to its visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants, effective from April 22, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria stated that all applicants attending interviews at its Abuja and Lagos locations must bring a DS-160 visa application form featuring a confirmation barcode beginning with “AA” followed by two zeroes.
This barcode must exactly match the one used when scheduling the visa appointment online.
Failure to present a matching barcode will result in denial of access to the consular section and disqualification from the visa interview.
“Beginning April 22, 2025, all visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos must bring a DS-160 form with a confirmation/barcode number (starting with AA and followed by 00) that matches the one used to schedule their appointment online. Additionally, the interview must be held at the location selected on the DS-160 form,” the statement explained.
Applicants are urged to verify that their DS-160 barcode aligns with the appointment information at least two weeks before their scheduled interview.
The embassy also warned that DS-160 forms from previous applications are no longer valid. In the case of a mismatch, applicants must log into their AVITS account no later than ten days before the appointment to request a correction through a support ticket.
“If you are turned away from your appointment because the barcode numbers do not match, you will need to resolve the issue and then book a new appointment to continue your visa process,” the statement added. “If your visa fee has expired, a new payment may be required before booking.”
The embassy stressed that appointments must also take place at the same location chosen during the DS-160 application process.
These updates are part of a broader effort to streamline the visa process and minimize administrative errors.
As part of earlier adjustments made this year, all visa applicants have been required since January 1 to visit the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos twice during the application process.
