The United States Embassy has announced fresh visa interview rules for Nigerians applying at its offices in Abuja and Lagos, starting from April 22, 2025.
This new instruction affects how applicants must fill out and present their DS-160 visa application form.
From that date, every applicant must come to their interview with a DS-160 confirmation page that has a barcode starting with “AA00.”
This barcode must be the same one used to book the visa appointment online.
If there is a mismatch, the person will not be allowed to enter the embassy or consulate for the interview and will lose that appointment slot.
Those applying for visas are now being told to check their DS-160 forms carefully before the interview.
The embassy wants people to confirm that the barcode on the form matches what they submitted when they booked the appointment.
This should be done at least two weeks before the scheduled interview.
The embassy also said that old DS-160 forms from past applications cannot be used again.
If an applicant finds out that the barcode does not match, they must go into their online account (AVITS) at least ten days before the interview and ask for the barcode to be corrected.
Another point added to the process is that applicants must book appointments in the same city they chose while filling out their DS-160 form.
Those who come to the wrong city or bring the wrong barcode will have to fix the issue and book a new date. If their visa fee has expired by then, they may also have to pay again.
In addition, since January 1, 2025, all applicants have been required to visit the US Consulate in Lagos twice as part of the visa application process.
This is part of a broader change in how visa applications are handled in Nigeria.
