U.S. sets new visa interview requirements for Nigerians

DDM News

The United States Embassy has announced new guidelines for visa applicants in Lagos and Abuja.

Effective April 22, 2025, all non-immigrant visa applicants will be required to present a DS-160 form with a matching barcode number that corresponds to the one used during the scheduling of their interview appointment.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) in a statement released on Friday, the embassy specified that the barcode number on the DS-160 form must begin with “AA,” followed by two zeroes (00).

Furthermore, applicants must attend their interview at the location they selected while filling out the DS-160 form.

The embassy stressed that any discrepancy between the barcode on the DS-160 form and the appointment details could lead to the applicant being denied entry to the Consular Section.

Those affected will be unable to proceed with their interview.

To prevent such issues, the embassy advised applicants to verify their DS-160 barcode number at least two weeks before their scheduled interview date.

Applicants were also informed that DS-160 forms from previous applications cannot be reused for new interviews.

“If your barcode is incorrect, log into your AVITS account at least 10 days before your appointment to create a support ticket for correction,” the embassy instructed applicants.

Should an applicant be turned away due to a mismatch between the barcode and the appointment details, they will need to correct the error and reschedule their appointment.

In cases where the visa fee has expired, a new payment may be necessary.

The embassy emphasized that strict adherence to these new guidelines is crucial to avoid delays or potential denial of entry on the day of the interview.

This policy change reflects the embassy’s efforts to streamline the visa application process while maintaining security standards.

The embassy has urged all applicants to ensure their documents are in proper order to facilitate a smooth interview experience.

Nigerians applying for visas to the United States are advised to take these new requirements seriously, as failure to comply could result in significant delays and extra costs.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all instructions before their appointment to ensure they meet all the necessary requirements.

The embassy also reminded applicants to be mindful of the additional steps involved, such as checking their DS-160 form before submitting it.

Additionally, the embassy urged applicants to prepare all required documents in advance to avoid complications on the day of the interview.

This change comes as part of the U.S. Embassy’s ongoing efforts to enhance security measures and improve the visa processing experience for applicants.

With these new regulations, the embassy aims to prevent errors and ensure a more efficient and secure visa application process.

Those planning to apply for a U.S. visa in the coming months should take these updates seriously to ensure they comply with the new protocols.

By following the new procedures, applicants can ensure that their application process proceeds without unnecessary disruptions or delays.

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