Effective April 22, 2025, the United States Embassy has implemented new visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants, with serious implications for travel plans and visa approval timelines.
In a recent directive, the U.S. Embassy emphasized that all applicants attending visa interviews in Abuja or Lagos must bring a DS-160 form featuring a barcode that starts with “AA00”. This barcode must match exactly with the one used when booking the appointment online.
If there’s a mismatch, entry to the Consular Section will be denied, and applicants will automatically lose their interview slot.
“Starting April 22, all visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation barcode number starting with AA and followed by 00 that matches the one used for booking their appointment,”
the embassy clarified.
Applicants are urged to double-check their DS-160 confirmation details at least two weeks before their interview. Mistakes or outdated barcodes can lead to automatic disqualification.
Travel Radio’s Analysis: This update adds another layer of complexity for Nigerian travelers seeking U.S. visas—a process already marked by long wait times and high application costs. For many Black and African travelers, this policy could disproportionately impact working professionals, students, and families planning international travel for education, business, or reunification.
In many cases, visa applicants in Nigeria already navigate challenges like inconsistent internet access, payment barriers, and application delays. The new requirement may unintentionally create systemic disadvantages for applicants with limited digital literacy or access to timely updates.
Additionally, the embassy confirmed that older DS-160 forms cannot be reused. If you’ve submitted a previous form, you must complete a new one that matches your scheduled interview. Any corrections must be submitted through the AVITS portal no less than 10 days before your appointment date.
Failure to comply could mean rescheduling your visa interview and possibly repaying your visa fee if it has expired.
Another significant change already in effect since January 1, 2025, requires applicants to make two separate visits to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos—further complicating travel logistics for people who live outside Lagos or Abuja.
For Nigerian travelers—and the wider Black diaspora navigating travel and migration systems—this is a reminder of how shifting global policies can directly impact access to international mobility. Travel Radio continues to monitor and amplify stories like these that shape the lived experiences of African travelers globally.
