Your visa number is printed on your visa stamp or sticker, usually in the upper right corner of the page
Your visa number is a unique identifier assigned to your specific visa. It appears as a string of numbers (typically 8 to 12 digits) on the physical visa document itself. The exact location depends on which country issued your visa, but it is almost always in the upper right area of the visa page, near your photograph if one is present.
You will need this number if you are renewing your visa, reporting it lost or stolen, or providing it to an employer or immigration authority. Knowing where to look saves time when you need it quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Your visa number appears on the visa stamp or sticker in your passport, typically in the upper right corner of the page.
- The number is usually 8 to 12 digits long and may be printed in black ink or as part of a machine-readable zone at the bottom of the visa.
- If your visa was issued electronically (an eVisa), the number appears in your confirmation email and in your online account with the issuing country's immigration authority.
- Your passport number and visa number are different — the visa number identifies your specific visa grant, while the passport number identifies your travel document.
Locating the number on a physical visa stamp
Open your passport to the page where your visa is stamped or affixed. Look at the upper right corner of the visa itself — not the passport page, but the colored sticker or stamp. The visa number is printed there, often in a box or field labeled "Visa No." or "Visa Number."
If the visa is a full-page sticker (common for visas issued by countries like India, China, or Australia), the number sits near the top right, above or beside your photograph. If it is a smaller stamp (common in European visas), the number may be smaller but is still in the upper right area of the stamp itself.
Some visas also include a machine-readable zone — two lines of numbers and letters at the bottom of the visa page. Your visa number appears in this zone as well, but the printed version in the upper right is easier to read and is what you should provide when asked.
Finding your eVisa number online
If you received an electronic visa (eVisa), you do not have a physical stamp in your passport. Instead, your visa number appears in your confirmation email from the issuing country's immigration authority. Search your email inbox for messages from the visa-issuing body — for example, "India eVisa," "Turkey eVisa," or "Egypt eVisa."
The confirmation email contains your visa number, approval date, and a reference number. Save this email or print it and keep it with your passport. You may also log into your online account on the issuing country's immigration website using your process reference number and password to view and read your visa details at any time.
Understanding the difference between visa number and passport number
Your visa number and passport number are two separate identifiers. Your passport number identifies your physical passport document and appears on the biographical page (usually the first page with your photograph). Your visa number identifies the specific visa grant — the permission to enter or stay in a country.
If you renew your passport, your passport number changes, but your visa number does not. If you hold multiple visas (for example, a tourist visa and a work visa for the same country), each has its own visa number. When an immigration officer or employer asks for your visa number, they are asking for the number on the visa itself, not your passport number.
What to do if you cannot find your visa number
If your visa stamp is faded or damaged and the number is not legible, contact the immigration authority that issued the visa. You can usually reach them through their official website. Provide your passport number, full name, and the date the visa was issued, and they can look up your visa number in their system.
If you have lost your passport but still have a copy of your visa confirmation email or a photograph of the visa page, the visa number in that document is still valid. You do not need to reapply for the visa itself — you only need to renew your passport and carry proof of the visa with you when you travel.
Keeping your visa number safe
Write down your visa number and store it separately from your passport — in your phone, email, or a document at home. If your passport is lost or stolen, having the visa number recorded elsewhere helps you report the loss to immigration authorities and speeds up the process of getting a replacement visa or confirming your existing visa status.
If you are traveling soon, take a photograph of your visa page and email it to yourself or store it in a cloud service. This backup copy ensures you can access your visa number even if your physical passport is temporarily unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my visa number the same as my passport number?
No. Your passport number identifies your passport document and appears on the biographical page. Your visa number identifies the specific visa grant and appears on the visa stamp or sticker. They are separate numbers.
What if my visa number is printed twice on the visa page?
Some visas print the visa number in two places — once in the upper right corner and again in the machine-readable zone at the bottom. Both are the same number. Use whichever is clearest and easiest to read.
Can I get a new visa number if I renew my visa?
Yes. When you renew or extend a visa, the immigration authority issues a new visa with a new visa number. Your old visa number remains on the expired visa in your passport.
Do I need my visa number to book a flight?
Most airlines do not require your visa number when you book a flight. You typically need your passport number. However, some countries or visa types may ask for the visa number during online check-in or at the airport, so it is helpful to have it available.
What should I do if I cannot read my visa number because the stamp is faded?
Contact the immigration authority that issued the visa through their official website. Provide your passport number and the date the visa was issued, and they can retrieve your visa number from their records.