Your visa number is printed on the visa label or sticker inside your passport

The visa number is a unique identifier assigned to your specific visa. It appears on the physical visa itself — the label or sticker pasted into your passport — and you'll need it for travel, work authorisation updates, or any official inquiry about that particular visa.

The location and format depend on which country issued your visa. A US visa number looks different from a UK or Canadian one, but all are printed directly on the visa document in your passport, not on a separate letter or email.

Key Takeaways

  • Your visa number is printed on the visa label or sticker glued into your passport, not on any separate document.
  • The number's position and format vary by country, but it is always on the physical visa itself.
  • If you cannot find it in your passport, contact the issuing country's immigration office or embassy to request your visa details.
  • Keep a photo or photocopy of your visa page in a separate location in case your passport is lost or damaged.

Finding your visa number on a US visa

On a US visa, the number appears in the upper right corner of the visa label. It is a 10-digit code printed in red ink. The label itself is a rectangular sticker with your photo, and the visa number sits above your name and other biographical details.

The same visa label also shows your visa type (B-1, H-1B, F-1, etc.), the date it was issued, and the date it expires. All of this information is on one sticker in your passport.

Finding your visa number on a UK visa

UK visas are now issued as a vignette — a small sticker in your passport — or as a digital record if you applied online. If you have a physical sticker, the visa number is printed on it, usually in the upper portion of the label.

If your UK visa was issued digitally (which is increasingly common for online applications), you will not have a sticker in your passport at all. Instead, your visa details are held in the UK's immigration system. You can view your visa number and status by logging into your UK Visas and Immigration account online using your email and password from your process.

Finding your visa number on a Canadian visa

Canadian visas appear as a label in your passport with your photo and details. The visa number is printed on this label, typically in the upper left area. It is an 8-digit code.

Like the US visa, all the key information — issue date, expiry date, visa type, and conditions — appears on the same sticker. If you need to reference your visa number for a work permit extension or travel document, this is where you will find it.

Finding your visa number on an Australian visa

Australian visas are usually issued electronically and do not appear as a physical sticker in your passport. Your visa number is assigned to your passport number in the Australian Department of Home Affairs system.

To find your Australian visa number, log into the ImmiAccount portal using your credentials from your visa process. Your visa details, including the visa number, will display there. You can also contact the Department of Home Affairs directly if you cannot access your account.

What to do if you cannot find your visa number

If your passport is damaged, your visa sticker is faded or torn, or you applied for a digital visa and cannot access your online account, contact the immigration office or embassy of the country that issued your visa. They can look up your visa number using your passport number and date of birth.

Keep the contact details for the relevant embassy or immigration department in your phone or email. Response times vary — some offices answer within days, others take weeks. If you need your visa number urgently for travel or work, contact them as soon as possible and explain the timeline.

Keeping a backup record of your visa number

Take a clear photo of your visa page with your phone and store it in cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud) or email it to yourself. This backup helps if your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged before you can replace it.

Write your visa number down separately and store it with other important documents — a copy of your passport, travel insurance details, and emergency contacts. Do not carry this list in your passport itself; keep it in a different location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my visa number the same as my passport number?

No. Your passport number identifies your passport document itself. Your visa number is a separate code assigned to that specific visa. Both appear on the visa label or in your visa record, but they are different numbers used for different purposes.

What if my visa sticker is partially illegible?

Contact the immigration office that issued your visa with your passport number and date of birth. They can confirm your visa number from their records. If you need the number urgently for travel, explain the situation — some offices can provide it by phone or email within hours.

Do I need my visa number to travel?

You need your passport to travel, and your visa (if required) must be valid and in your passport. The visa number itself is not usually checked at the border, but you may need it for work authorisation updates, visa extensions, or official inquiries about your status.

Can I find my visa number online if I don't have my passport with me?

If your visa was issued digitally (UK, Australia, Canada, and others), you can log into your immigration account online to view your visa number. If you have a physical visa sticker, you need access to your passport to read it. Contact the issuing country's immigration office if you need the number and cannot access either.