U.S. Embassy Introduces New DS-160 Barcode Matching Requirement for Visa Applicants in Nigeria
The United States of America has announced a critical update to its visa application procedures for Nigerian applicants.
Effective from April 22, 2025, all individuals applying for U.S. visas at the Abuja and Lagos embassies must present a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation barcode number that exactly matches the one used to schedule their appointment online.
This directive was disclosed in an official statement issued by the U.S. Mission on Wednesday, with a strong emphasis on strict adherence to the new protocol.
The embassy warned that any applicant whose DS-160 barcode number (which begins with “AA00”) does not correspond to the one used during the online appointment booking process will not be permitted to enter the Consular Section or proceed with their visa interview.
“All applicants must make their appointment in the location they selected when filling out the DS-160 form,” the statement added, underscoring the importance of consistency in application details.
The embassy advised all prospective visa applicants to take the following steps:
Confirm Matching Barcode Numbers: At least two weeks before the scheduled interview, applicants are urged to double-check that the barcode number on their printed DS-160 form aligns with the number used to book the appointment. The DS-160 form must be a new submission and not reused from a previous application.
Rectifying Barcode Errors: If the barcode on the DS-160 form is incorrect, applicants are advised to log in to their AVITS account no later than 10 days before their appointment to submit a support ticket requesting the correction of the barcode number.
Missed Appointments and Rescheduling: Should an applicant be turned away due to a mismatched barcode number, a new appointment must be booked after resolving the issue. If the visa fee associated with the original booking has expired, applicants may need to pay a new fee before rescheduling.
The embassy reiterated the importance of accuracy and vigilance in the application process to avoid delays or denied access to the interview venue.
Applicants requiring further guidance are encouraged to contact the visa call centre for assistance, either through +234 2013438900 (Nigeria) or +1 734 418 2395 (from the United States).
