The U.S. Embassy has announced updated requirements for Nigerian visa applicants, which will take effect starting April 22, 2025.
As part of the new guidelines, all applicants attending interviews at the U.S. Consulates in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 visa application confirmation page. This confirmation must include a barcode that begins with “AA” and ends with “00” (two zeroes).
The barcode on the DS-160 confirmation page must exactly match the one used to schedule the visa appointment. Applicants who fail to provide a matching barcode will be denied entry into the consular section and will not be allowed to proceed with their interview.
The statement reads, “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. You also must make your appointment in the location you selected when filling out your DS-160.”
“Matching Barcode Numbers: If the confirmation/barcode number on your DS-160 form does not match the one you used to book your appointment, you will not be allowed to enter the Consular Section or attend your visa interview,” the statement added.
Barcode cannot be reused
It is recommended that candidates confirm the alignment at least two weeks before their scheduled visit.
Additionally, the statement made it clear that DS-160 forms that have already been utilised cannot be reused. If there is a discrepancy, candidates are advised to make a correction request by logging into their AVITS account no later than ten days prior to the interview.
The US mission noted, “At least two weeks before your interview, please double-check that the barcode number on your DS-160 form matches the one you used to schedule your appointment.”
“You cannot reuse a DS-160 from a previous application,” it added.
“If your DS-160 barcode is incorrect, you must log into your AVITS account at least 10 days before your appointment to create a support ticket requesting correction of your barcode number,” it emphasised.
Visa appointment should align with location listed on DS-160 form
The U.S. mission also encouraged candidates to make sure their visa appointment is set at the address listed on their DS-160 form.
“If you are turned away from your appointment because your barcode numbers do not match, once you correct the problem, you will need to book a new appointment to proceed with your visa application. You may book a new appointment by logging into your AVITS account at If your visa fee has expired, you may have to pay a new fee before booking,” it added.
Since January 1, all visa applicants must make two trips to the US Consulate General in Lagos as part of the application process. These modifications are a part of continuous efforts to expedite visa processing and lower administrative errors.
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