The United States Embassy has introduced new requirements for visa interview applicants in Lagos and Abuja, effective from April 22, 2025.
In a statement on Friday, the embassy said all non-immigrant visa applicants must present a DS-160 form with a barcode number that matches the one used to schedule their interview appointment.
According to the embassy, the barcode number must begin with “AA” followed by two zeroes (00). Applicants are also required to attend their interview at the same location they selected when completing the DS-160 form.
“Beginning April 22, 2025, all visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number that matches the one used to make their appointment online,” the embassy stated.
The embassy warned that any mismatch between the DS-160 barcode and the appointment details would result in the applicant being denied entry to the Consular Section and being unable to attend the interview.
According to the embassy, to avoid complications, applicants are advised to verify the barcode number on their DS-160 form at least two weeks before their interview.
The embassy also clarified that DS-160 forms from previous applications cannot be reused.
“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 advised.
In the event an applicant is turned away due to mismatched barcode numbers, they will need to correct the issue and book a new appointment. If their visa fee has expired, a new payment may be required.
The embassy urged all applicants to adhere strictly to the new guidelines to avoid delays or denial of entry on the day of their interview.
