U.S. Embassy Updates Visa Interview Requirements for Nigerian Applicants Starting April 22

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced new visa interview requirements for all Nigerian applicants, with the changes set to take effect from April 22, 2025. The updated policy applies to interviews scheduled at both the Abuja and Lagos Consular Sections and introduces stricter verification measures regarding the DS-160 confirmation forms used in the application process.

According to the embassy’s official statement, all applicants must present a DS-160 confirmation page that includes a barcode starting with the characters “AA00.” This barcode must exactly match the one used during the online appointment scheduling process. Any inconsistency between the DS-160 confirmation presented at the time of the interview and the appointment details stored in the embassy’s system will lead to immediate disqualification.

Specifically, applicants who arrive at their scheduled interview with a mismatched DS-160 barcode will not be permitted entry into the Consular Section and will automatically forfeit their interview slot. The embassy emphasized that no exceptions will be made for individuals whose DS-160 barcodes do not align with their appointment records, regardless of how or when the error occurred.

The DS-160 form is a mandatory component of the non-immigrant visa application process for the United States. It contains personal information, travel plans, and other background details. The barcode generated at the end of the form is used to identify each applicant and must be used to schedule the corresponding visa appointment.

In recent months, embassy officials have expressed concern about rising instances of applicants submitting multiple DS-160 forms or booking appointments with outdated or incorrect confirmation pages. This practice, whether intentional or accidental, creates discrepancies in the system and disrupts scheduling logistics. The updated requirement aims to tighten the process and reduce fraudulent or error-prone entries.

The U.S. Embassy urged all applicants to take extra care when filling out and submitting their DS-160 forms. Applicants are advised to ensure that the barcode on the printed confirmation page used on the day of their interview is identical to the one used to book the appointment. This includes verifying all application data before final submission and avoiding resubmissions unless absolutely necessary.

Applicants who have already booked appointments for dates after April 22 are encouraged to log into their visa appointment portal to confirm that their DS-160 barcode matches the one currently associated with their appointment. If any discrepancy is found, they must update their information in advance or reschedule their appointment entirely to avoid being turned away on the day of the interview.

The embassy also reminded applicants that making corrections to the DS-160 after scheduling an appointment requires canceling the original appointment and rebooking it with the updated form. Failure to do so will result in mismatched records and automatic disqualification from the interview.

This new policy reflects broader efforts by U.S. embassies worldwide to improve security, prevent fraud, and streamline consular processing. In Nigeria, where demand for U.S. visas remains high, embassy officials continue to urge applicants to strictly adhere to procedural guidelines to avoid delays or denials.

In its announcement, the U.S. Embassy reiterated that the burden of compliance lies entirely with the applicant. There will be no room for appeals or on-the-spot corrections on the interview day. Officials warned that arriving with incorrect documentation would result in wasted time, loss of fees, and the need to repeat the entire application process from the beginning.

The embassy also provided an advisory link for applicants seeking clarification or guidance on how to properly complete and submit their DS-160 forms. Additionally, help desks at the Abuja and Lagos visa centers will offer limited support for applicants who need assistance verifying their DS-160 and appointment data before their interview dates.

With the new rule set to be enforced within days, the embassy has called on travel agents, education consultants, and visa facilitators to inform clients of the updated requirements and ensure all applications comply with the April 22 deadline.