The United States Embassy in Nigeria has introduced stringent new requirements for visa applicants, effective from April 22, 2025. The new rule mandates that all applicants attending interviews at the embassy’s consular sections in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation barcode starting with “AA” followed by two zeroes. This barcode must match the one used to schedule the applicant’s visa interview appointment online.
Failure to present a matching barcode will result in the applicant being denied entry to the consular section and disqualified from the visa interview altogether, according to the US mission’s statement issued on Friday.
Critical Points and Implications
Enhanced Scrutiny on Barcode Accuracy:
The embassy has emphasized that visa applicants must ensure the barcode on their DS-160 form aligns with the one used to book the interview. This new measure aims to reduce administrative errors but may cause significant confusion for applicants, many of whom may not be familiar with the need for such strict matching. If the barcode numbers don’t match, the applicant will be turned away, possibly leading to delays in visa processing and additional fees.
No Reuse of DS-160 Forms:
Another critical change is the prohibition on reusing previously submitted DS-160 forms. This rule is a departure from previous practices where applicants could update their forms and reuse them for subsequent appointments. Now, applicants must fill out a new DS-160 form for each interview, adding to the complexity and time-consuming nature of the visa application process.
Online System Overload and Errors:
The requirement to check for barcode accuracy at least two weeks before the interview may overwhelm the already burdened online appointment system. Applicants are advised to log into their AVITS accounts at least 10 days before the interview to address any potential mismatches. If a mistake is found, they will need to submit a support request to correct the issue, but there is no guarantee that this will be done promptly, leading to fears of missed appointments or delays.
Appointment Location Consistency:
Another notable aspect of the new rule is the need to ensure the appointment location on the DS-160 matches the location where the interview is scheduled. Applicants who fail to comply with this requirement will have to reschedule their interviews, causing potential delays in the visa processing timeline.
Impact on Visa Fees:
Applicants whose barcodes don’t match will need to correct the mismatch and may face the additional burden of rescheduling their appointments. In cases where visa fees have expired due to delays, applicants may have to pay the fee again before booking a new appointment.
Streamlining or Hindering the Process?
While the embassy claims that these changes are part of efforts to streamline the visa process and minimize administrative errors, critics argue that the increased complexity and stringent requirements could exacerbate existing frustrations among applicants. The new measures may create further barriers, particularly for those not well-versed in navigating the embassy’s online system.
Since January 1, 2025, the embassy has required that all applicants visit the US Consulate General in Lagos twice during the application process, a policy that has already raised concerns over logistical challenges for many Nigerians.
In conclusion, while the new requirements may help the embassy manage the application process more efficiently, they may also lead to increased confusion, delays, and additional costs for visa applicants. This could place an unnecessary burden on Nigerians, who already face lengthy wait times and a complex bureaucratic process when applying for US visas.
Applicants are urged to double-check their DS-160 forms well in advance of their appointments to avoid the costly mistake of being turned away due to barcode mismatches.
Reference
US Embassy Announces New Visa Interview Requirements for Nigerians: Stringent Barcode Matching Rule