6 New Requirements for U.S. Visa Applicants in Nigeria

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has introduced new requirements for visa applicants, making it mandatory to disclose all social media usernames and handles used in the past five years as part of the visa application process. 

This change, announced by the Mission on its official X account, aligns with the U.S. Department of State’s broader efforts to enhance national security through rigorous screening procedures.

According to the U.S. Mission, Nigerian visa applicants are now required to provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles when completing the DS-160 visa application form. Failing to provide this information could result in visa denials and impact eligibility for future U.S. visas.

The Embassy emphasised that applicants must certify the accuracy of the information on their visa application before submitting it. Omitting any social media details could lead to visa rejection.

These changes add a sixth requirement to the already existing list for U.S. visa applicants in Nigeria.

Here are the 6 requirements for U.S. visa applicants in Nigeria:

1. Matching DS-160 Confirmation Number

Visa applicants must ensure that the DS-160 visa application form has a barcode number (starting with “AA00”) that matches the one used to schedule their appointment. If the barcode number does not match, applicants will not be permitted to enter the Consular Section or attend their interview.

2. Choose the Correct Appointment Location

Applicants are required to attend their interview at the same location (either Abuja or Lagos) they selected when submitting the DS-160 form. Any discrepancies in the chosen location can cause delays or complications in the visa process.

3. Double-Check Your DS-160

At least two weeks before the interview, applicants should verify that their DS-160 barcode number matches the one in their appointment confirmation. It’s important not to reuse a DS-160 form from a previous application, as it can cause issues.

4. Fixing an Incorrect DS-160 Barcode

If there’s a mismatch in the barcode, applicants should log into their AVITS account and create a support ticket to request a correction at least 10 days before the interview date.

5. Rescheduling If Rejected

In the event of a mismatch in the barcode numbers, applicants must correct the issue and rebook their appointment. If the visa fee has expired, applicants will need to pay a new fee before scheduling a new appointment.

6. All Social Media Usernames and Handles

Applicants are required to list all social media usernames and handles they have used in the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form. This new directive aims to improve security screening and help ensure that applicants provide comprehensive and accurate information.