posted 11th April 2025
US Embassy in Nigeria Issues New Visa Application Guidelines
LAGOS, 11 April 2025 – The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced significant changes to its visa application process, set to take effect from Tuesday, 22 April. The new guidelines, shared via the official social media account of the US Mission in Nigeria (@USinNigeria), aim to streamline the application process for non-immigrant visas at its consular offices in Abuja and Lagos.
Under the updated rules, all visa applicants are required to present a DS-160 visa application form that includes a confirmation or barcode number—beginning with "AA" followed by two zeroes (00)—which must correspond exactly with the number used to book their appointment online. The US Mission emphasised that failure to comply with this requirement could result in delays or complications during the application process.
Additionally, applicants must ensure their appointment is scheduled at the same location—either Abuja or Lagos—selected when completing the DS-160 form. This measure is intended to enhance efficiency and reduce errors during visa processing.
The US Embassy has urged all prospective applicants to carefully review their DS-160 forms and appointment details ahead of their visits to avoid any disruptions. The changes reflect ongoing efforts by the US Mission to improve the visa application experience for Nigerians, who form one of the largest groups of international travellers seeking entry to the United States.
For further details, applicants are encouraged to visit the official US Embassy website or contact the consular offices in Abuja or Lagos.
