US Embassy Adjusts Visa Interview Process for Nigerian Applicants Starting April 22

Beginning April 22, 2025, Nigerian visa applicants attending interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos will be required to meet stricter documentation guidelines, according to a recent announcement by the United States Mission.

Under the revised policy, applicants must bring a DS-160 form with a confirmation barcode beginning with “AA00” that exactly matches the barcode used to book their visa appointment online. The embassy warned that discrepancies in barcode information will result in applicants being denied entry into the consular area and being disqualified from the interview process.

“Applicants must ensure that the barcode on their DS-160 form corresponds with the one used during appointment scheduling,” the statement read. “You must also choose the same location for your interview as indicated in your DS-160 form.”

The embassy advised applicants to verify this information at least two weeks prior to their scheduled appointment to avoid disqualification. It further clarified that applicants cannot reuse DS-160 forms from previous applications.

In cases where there’s a mismatch, individuals are expected to log into their AVITS account no later than 10 days before the scheduled interview to request a barcode correction.

“If turned away due to a barcode mismatch, applicants must rebook a new appointment after resolving the issue. In instances where a visa fee has expired, a new fee may be required,” the statement added.

This change is part of broader efforts to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the visa application process.

Since the beginning of the year, applicants have also been required to make two separate visits to the Consulate in Lagos as part of the visa procedure.