Breaking News: US Embassy Introduces New Visa Interview Requirements for Nigerians!

U.S. Embassy Rolls Out Crucial New Visa Interview Requirement You Can’t Afford to Ignore.

LAGOS/ABUJA, NIGERIA – If you have a U.S. visa interview scheduled in Nigeria on or after April 22, 2025, stop everything and read this. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Nigeria has announced a critical new requirement regarding your DS-160 visa application form that could determine whether you even get past the gate for your interview. Failure to comply will result in being turned away.

In a significant update released recently, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has mandated strict adherence to matching barcode numbers between your submitted DS-160 form and your scheduled visa appointment. This change impacts all nonimmigrant visa applicants attending interviews in both Abuja and Lagos.

The Core Requirement: Your Barcode MUST Match!

Here’s the breakdown of the new rule:

1. DS-160 Confirmation Number is Key: When you complete your DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you receive a confirmation page with a unique barcode number. This number typically starts with “AA” followed by two zeroes (e.g., AA00…).
2. Appointment Booking Reference: When you schedule your visa interview appointment online (likely via the AVITS system mentioned), that appointment is linked to a specific DS-160 confirmation/barcode number.
3. The MANDATORY Match: Effective April 22, 2025, the barcode number on the DS-160 confirmation page you bring to your interview must identically match the barcode number associated with your scheduled appointment in the system.
4. Location Consistency: You must also attend your interview at the location (Abuja or Lagos) you selected when initially filling out the specific DS-160 form linked to your appointment.

What Happens If Your Barcodes Don’t Match?

The consequences are immediate and strict: You will NOT be allowed to enter the Consular Section, and you will NOT be permitted to attend your visa interview. There are no exceptions mentioned.

Crucial Action Steps for ALL Applicants:

To avoid the disappointment and delay of being turned away, the U.S. Embassy strongly advises the following:

• Verify EARLY: At least TWO WEEKS before your scheduled interview date, log into your application/appointment profile and meticulously double-check that the DS-160 barcode number listed for your appointment matches the barcode number on the DS-160 confirmation page you plan to bring.
• No Recycling Forms: You absolutely cannot reuse a DS-160 confirmation page from a previous, unsuccessful, or different visa application. Each new appointment requires the correctly linked DS-160.
• Need to Correct a Mismatch? Act FAST! If you discover your barcode numbers do not match, you MUST take action. Log into your AVITS account (https://www.usvisascheduling.com/en-US/self-service/ – Note: Verify this is the correct portal) at least TEN DAYS before your interview. Create a support ticket specifically requesting the correction of your DS-160 barcode number associated with the appointment. Do not wait until the last minute.
• If You’re Turned Away: If you arrive and your barcodes don’t match, you will have to leave. Once you have corrected the barcode issue (by submitting the correct DS-160 information and potentially getting it updated via support), you will need to book a completely NEW visa appointment.
• Beware Expired Fees: If your original visa application (MRV) fee has expired by the time you reschedule, you may be required to pay a NEW fee before securing another appointment slot. Visa fees are generally non-refundable and valid for a limited time (often one year).

Need Assistance? Contact the Experts

Navigating visa procedures can be complex. If you have questions or encounter difficulties with checking or correcting your barcode number, utilize the official support channels:

• Phone:
  • Within Nigeria: +234 2013438900
  • From the U.S.: +1 734 418 2395
• Email: [email address removed]
• Online: Use the ChatBot and Click-To-Talk features available on the official AVITS appointment scheduling website.

Don’t Risk Your Application

This new requirement emphasizes the importance of careful preparation and attention to detail. A simple mismatch can lead to significant delays and potentially extra costs. Double-check your documents well in advance, follow the correction procedures promptly if needed, and ensure you arrive at your appointment fully compliant with this updated regulation. Your U.S. visa journey depends on it!