The United States Mission just rolled out new rules that could affect how you prepare for your visa interview in Abuja and Lagos.
The changes, announced on the 11th of April, 2025, target how applicants submit their DS-160 forms the critical document for scheduling an interview.
Starting from the 22nd of April, you will need to show up with a DS-160 form that includes a barcode number beginning with “AA” and followed by two zeroes. That number must match the one used to book your appointment. If it doesn’t, you are not getting in.
The mission didn’t mince words:
“At least two weeks before your interview, please double-check that the barcode number on your DS-160 form matches the one you used to schedule your appointment. You cannot reuse a DS-160 from a previous application.
“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.
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“Also, don’t mix up your interview location. If you chose Lagos while filling out the form, don’t schedule your interview in Abuja. The two must align.”
Since 1st of January, 2025, every visa applicant has been mandated to visit the US Consulate General in Lagos twice during the application process. No shortcuts.
The Mission says the goal is to “streamline and improve the visa processing experience.”
So, if you are planning to travel to the US soon, double-check your paperwork or risk getting turned away.