The United States Embassy in Nigeria has introduced new rules for visa interviews at its Abuja and Lagos offices, effective from April 22, 2025.
In a statement released Friday, the embassy emphasized that all applicants must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number starting with “AA” followed by “00” (two zeroes). This number must match the one used to schedule the visa appointment online.
“You also must make your appointment in the location you selected when filling out your DS-160,” the embassy stated.
Regarding barcode numbers, the embassy warned that mismatched information will result in denied entry to the Consular Section. “If the confirmation/barcode number on an applicant’s DS-160 form does not match the one used to book his appointment, the applicant will not be allowed to enter the Consular Section or allowed for visa interview,” the embassy said.
Applicants are advised to verify that their DS-160 barcode number matches the one used for booking at least two weeks before their scheduled interview. “You cannot reuse a DS-160 from a previous application,” the statement added.
For corrections, applicants must act early. “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,” the embassy advised.
In cases where applicants are turned away, they must resolve the issue and book a new appointment. “If your visa fee has expired, you may have to pay a new fee before booking,” the embassy noted.
“Contact us for help: If you have any questions or need help, please contact the visa call center for assistance,” the embassy concluded.
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