In a move aimed at ensuring smoother processing and fewer application errors, the United States Embassy in Nigeria has introduced updated requirements for visa interview applicants, set to begin on April 22, 2025.
The new guideline, released in an official statement on Friday, applies to all individuals attending visa interviews in either Abuja or Lagos. Under this policy, applicants must present a DS-160 confirmation page that includes a barcode starting with “AA” followed by “00” (two zeroes). Crucially, this barcode must be the same one used when scheduling the interview appointment online.
To avoid disqualification, applicants are urged to double-check that the barcode on their DS-160 form matches the one used during the booking process. A mismatch will result in being denied entry into the consular section and losing the opportunity to attend the interview.
Additionally, the embassy has emphasized that applicants must attend their visa interview at the same location they selected when filling out the DS-160 form. Those who appear at a different location will also be turned away.
According to the embassy, older DS-160 forms from past applications are no longer valid for reuse. Applicants who discover discrepancies are advised to log into their AVITS account at least 10 days before their scheduled appointment to submit a request for correction.
“Applicants should review their DS-160 confirmation details at least two weeks ahead of their appointment,” the mission noted. “If there’s an error, log into your AVITS account and create a support ticket to correct your barcode number.”
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In situations where an applicant is denied entry due to a barcode issue, they must correct the mistake and reschedule their interview. If the original visa application fee has expired, a new payment may be required before booking another appointment.
These changes reflect Trump and the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to enhancing the visa application process by reducing administrative mistakes and improving overall efficiency.
