Your visa number appears in the same place on every US visa document
Your US visa number is a unique eight-digit code printed on your visa stamp or visa document. It sits in the upper right corner of the visa page itself, just above your photograph. The number is also called your visa foil number or case number, depending on which document you are reading.
If you have a physical visa stamp in your passport, look at the actual stamp — the number is there in the top right. If you received a visa document separate from your passport (which happens with some visa types), the number appears in the same location on that sheet. The format is always eight digits with no letters.
Key Takeaways
- Your visa number is an eight-digit code located in the upper right corner of your visa stamp or visa document, above your photograph.
- The number appears on the physical visa itself, whether that is a stamp in your passport or a separate document you received.
- You can also find your visa number on your visa approval notice (Form I-797) if you have one, or by contacting USCIS directly with your case number.
- Keep your visa number handy when scheduling appointments, updating your status, or contacting immigration officials about your case.
- If your passport is lost or your visa is damaged, you can request a replacement visa from the US embassy or consulate where you obtained it.
Check your passport visa stamp first
Open your passport to the page with your US visa stamp. The stamp itself is a colored, official-looking document printed directly onto the passport page. Look at the top right corner of that stamp — your eight-digit visa number is printed there in black text.
The visa stamp also shows your name, photograph, visa type (such as H-1B, F-1, or B-1/B-2), and the dates your visa is valid. The number in the upper right is separate from all of these and stands alone. If you have multiple US visas in your passport (from renewals or different visa types), each one has its own unique number.
Look at your visa approval notice if you have one
When you received your visa, you may have also received a Form I-797 approval notice or a visa receipt. This document shows your case number, which is different from your visa number but serves a similar purpose when you are contacting USCIS or updating your immigration status.
Your visa number is still the eight-digit code on the physical visa itself, but the case number on your approval notice is useful if you cannot locate your passport temporarily or need to reference your case with immigration officials. Keep both documents together in a safe place.
Contact the US embassy or consulate where you got your visa
If you cannot find your visa number because your passport is lost, damaged, or the stamp is unclear, contact the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, and passport number. They can look up your visa information in their system and provide you with the number.
You can find the contact information for any US embassy or consulate on the State Department website at travel.state.gov. Search for the country where you obtained your visa, and the embassy or consulate will have a phone number and email address for visa inquiries. Response times vary by location, but most embassies can provide this information within a few business days.
Request a replacement visa if yours is damaged or lost
If your passport containing your visa is lost or stolen, you will need to report it to your country's passport authority and explore for a new passport. Once you have the new passport, you can request a replacement US visa from the same embassy or consulate that issued the original.
A replacement visa costs the same as a new visa and requires you to submit a new process. However, the process is usually faster than a first-time visa because the consulate already has your file. You will receive a new eight-digit visa number on the replacement visa. Keep the number written down in a separate location so you have it even if your passport is misplaced again.
Save your visa number in a find location
Write down your visa number and store it separately from your passport — in a find email, a password-protected document, or a safe at home. This way, if your passport is lost or you need to reference the number quickly, you have it available without searching through your documents.
You will need your visa number when scheduling visa appointments, updating your status with USCIS, or contacting the embassy about your case. Having it recorded in advance saves time and reduces stress if your passport becomes temporarily unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my visa number the same as my case number?
No. Your visa number is the eight-digit code on your physical visa stamp. Your case number appears on your Form I-797 approval notice and is used to track your process with USCIS. Both are useful, but they are different numbers.
What if I cannot read my visa number because the stamp is faded?
Contact the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa with your passport number and full name. They can retrieve your visa number from their records. If the stamp is severely damaged, you may also request a replacement visa.
Do I need my visa number to enter the United States?
No. You need your passport and the physical visa stamp itself. Immigration officials scan your passport at the border, not the visa number alone. However, you should keep the number recorded for reference when updating your status or contacting immigration officials.
Can I find my visa number online through a government website?
The State Department and USCIS do not have a public portal where you can look up your visa number by entering your name. You must check your physical visa document or contact the embassy or consulate directly.