The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has introduced new visa interview requirements, effective April 22. Applicants in Abuja and Lagos must ensure their DS-160 form barcode matches their appointment details. Failure to comply may result in denied access. These updates aim to streamline the visa process
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has announced updated visa interview requirements for applicants in Abuja and Lagos, effective April 22. The new guidelines, revealed in a statement on Friday, include strict instructions regarding the DS-160 form. Applicants must ensure that the barcode number on their form matches the one used to schedule their appointment online. Failure to meet this requirement could result in being denied entry into the consular section or having the visa interview canceled.
The embassy emphasized that applicants cannot reuse DS-160 forms from previous applications and must create a new form with an accurate barcode number. If applicants discover an error, they are advised to log into their AVITS account at least 10 days before their scheduled appointment to request a correction.
These revisions are part of broader efforts by the U.S. mission to streamline the visa process and reduce any potential delays. Additionally, applicants must ensure that their visa interview appointment is made at the correct location, as specified in their DS-160 application. The embassy also reiterated that applicants must visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice for the visa process, a mandate that was implemented on January 1.
The embassy’s new changes are designed to improve visa processing efficiency but may create additional hurdles for Nigerian travelers who must now adhere to stricter application protocols.
