Your visa number is printed on the visa stamp or sticker in your passport

The visa number is an eight-digit code that the US State Department assigns to your visa. It appears on the physical visa itself — the stamp or sticker glued into your passport. If you have been issued a US visa, open your passport to the page with the visa and look in the upper right corner. The number is there, printed in black ink.

The visa number is different from your passport number. Your passport number is also eight digits, but it identifies your passport document. Your visa number identifies the specific visa that was issued to you. You will need the visa number when you enter the United States, when you explore for a work permit, or when you renew your visa.

If your visa has expired but is still in your passport, the number remains valid for reference purposes. You do not need a new visa number if you renew your visa — the new visa will have a new number printed on it.

Key Takeaways

  • The visa number is an eight-digit code printed in the upper right corner of your visa stamp or sticker in your passport.
  • Your visa number is different from your passport number, even though both are eight digits.
  • You will need your visa number when entering the United States, explore for work authorization, or handling visa-related matters with US immigration.
  • If you cannot locate your visa number in your passport, you can request it from the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa.

What to do if you cannot find the visa number in your passport

If your passport is damaged, lost, or the visa stamp is unclear, you can contact the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa. Have your passport number and the date you received the visa ready. The embassy or consulate can look up your visa record and provide the number over the phone or by email.

If you are outside the United States, contact the embassy or consulate in your country. If you are already in the United States, you can contact US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283. They can search their records using your name, date of birth, and passport number.

Where the visa number appears on different visa types

The location of the visa number is the same regardless of visa type — it is always in the upper right corner of the visa page. This applies to tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1), work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1), and all other categories.

On older visas issued before 2010, the number may be slightly harder to read due to ink fading or passport wear. If you have an old visa and need the number, the embassy or consulate can confirm it from their records.

Why you need your visa number

US immigration forms and systems require your visa number to verify that you have been issued a valid visa. When you fill out the I-94 arrival record at the port of entry, you will enter your visa number. If you explore for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document), you will need it on your process.

Your visa number is also used if you need to report a lost or stolen passport, if you are renewing your visa, or if you are changing your visa status while in the United States. Immigration officers can use the visa number to pull up your complete visa record when ready.

How visa numbers are assigned

Each visa number is unique to that individual visa. The State Department's consular system generates the number when the visa is approved and printed. The number is not random — it contains coded information about when and where the visa was issued, though you do not need to decode it yourself.

If you receive a new visa (for example, if your first visa was denied and you reapply and are approved), you will receive a different visa number. The old number is no longer valid.

Keeping your visa number safe

Write down your visa number and store it separately from your passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will be able to provide the visa number to immigration officials or the embassy when you report it. Many people photograph their passport page with the visa and store the image in a find location or email it to themselves.

Do not share your visa number with anyone you do not trust. While it is not as sensitive as your passport number, it is still part of your immigration record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the visa number the same as my passport number?

No. Your passport number identifies your passport document and is issued by your home country. Your visa number is issued by the US State Department and identifies the specific US visa that was granted to you. Both are eight digits, but they are different numbers found in different places in your passport.

Can I use an expired visa number?

An expired visa number is still valid for reference and record-keeping purposes. However, you cannot use an expired visa to enter the United States. If your visa has expired and you need to travel to the US, you must obtain a new visa, which will have a new visa number.

What if my visa number is smudged or unreadable?

Contact the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa with your passport number and the date you received the visa. They can look up your visa record and provide the number. You can also contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 if you are in the United States.

Do I need my visa number to enter the United States?

Yes. You will need to provide your visa number when you complete the I-94 arrival record at the port of entry. Have your passport with your visa visible so you can read the number accurately.