The Embassy of the United States of America has announced new requirements for visa interviews for Nigerian applicants, with the new measures scheduled to take effect from April 22.
- New visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants announced by the U.S. Embassy
- Starting from April 22, 2025, applicants in Abuja and Lagos must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a specific barcode number
- Changes are aimed at streamlining the visa application process and improving efficiency
According to a statement issued via the embassy’s website, all visa applicants seeking to obtain their visas in Abuja and Lagos are required to bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number.
DON’T MISS THIS: China teams up with South Africa, Saudi Arabia to push back on U.S. tariffs
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 must also schedule your appointment at the location you selected when filling out your DS-160.”
Requirement for visa interviews
The statement advised applicants to double-check that the barcode number on their DS-160 form matches the one used to schedule their appointment at least two weeks before the interview.
It also emphasized that applicants cannot reuse a DS-160 form from a previous application.
The embassy also warned that any applicant whose DS-160 barcode number does not match their appointment details will be denied entry into the Consular Section and will not be allowed to attend the interview.
In such cases, applicants are required to log into their AVATS account at least 10 days before the scheduled appointment and submit a support ticket to request a correction.
Once corrected, a new appointment must be booked. Applicants whose visa fees have expired may need to make a new payment before rescheduling.
The embassy outlined that these adjustments are aimed at streamlining the visa application process and improving overall efficiency.
DON’T MISS THIS: Morocco opens bidding to run Africa’s largest shipyard
The revisions are also expected to affect how applicants schedule and attend visa interviews, prioritizing certain categories or revising documentation standards.
The changes come amid ongoing efforts by U.S. diplomatic missions to adapt visa operations to local demands, security assessments, and broader immigration policy shifts.
Nigerian applicants are advised to stay updated via the official embassy website to ensure compliance with the new guidelines as the date approaches.
