The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced new, stricter guidelines for visa applications, effective April 22, 2025. The updated rules are designed to streamline the application process and reduce delays caused by technical errors.
Under the new policy, all visa applicants must ensure that the barcode number on their DS-160 form matches the one used to book their visa appointment. This requirement is mandatory for all applications submitted at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos.
The DS-160 barcode must begin with “AA” followed by two zeroes, and appointments must be scheduled at the same location selected when filling out the form. Applicants whose barcode numbers do not match will be denied entry to the Consular Section and will not be allowed to attend their visa interviews.
The embassy is urging applicants to double-check their DS-160 barcode numbers at least two weeks before their scheduled interview date. If errors are found, applicants should log into their AVITS account at least 10 days before their appointment to submit a support ticket for corrections.
For those turned away due to mismatched barcodes, a new appointment must be booked after resolving the issue. If the visa fee has expired during this time, applicants may need to pay a new fee before rescheduling.
The U.S. Embassy stated that these changes are necessary to ensure smoother and faster processing of visa applications. By eliminating mismatched barcodes and other errors, applicants can avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
The DS-160 form is a critical component of most nonimmigrant visa applications, including visitor visas (B1/B2), student visas (F-1/M-1), work visas (H-1B), and others. While there is no fee for filing the DS-160 itself, applicants must pay a visa processing fee based on the type of visa they are applying for.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow all instructions provided by the embassy to ensure compliance with these updated rules.
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