Your visa number is printed on the visa stamp or sticker in your passport, in the upper right corner

The visa number is an eight-digit code that identifies your specific visa. It appears on the actual visa stamp or label glued into your passport — not anywhere else on the passport itself. If you have a valid US visa, look at the visa page in your passport. In the upper right area of the stamp, you will see a number printed in small type. That is your visa number.

The visa number is different from your passport number. Your passport number is printed on the biographical page at the front of your passport. The visa number only exists on the visa stamp itself, so if your passport does not have a US visa stamp, you do not have a visa number to find.

If you received a visa but cannot locate the number, the stamp may be on a page you have not checked yet. US visa stamps are typically placed on a blank page in your passport, often toward the back. Flip through every page slowly — the stamp is a colored label with an eagle and text, so it is visually distinct from the printed pages.

Key Takeaways

  • Your visa number is an eight-digit code printed in the upper right corner of your US visa stamp in your passport.
  • The visa number is different from your passport number and only appears on the actual visa label, not on the biographical page.
  • If you cannot find a visa stamp in your passport, you do not have a US visa and therefore no visa number.
  • You will need your visa number when entering the United States, updating immigration records, or renewing your visa.

What the visa stamp looks like and where it sits in your passport

A US visa stamp is a rectangular label, usually about 2 inches by 3 inches, affixed to a blank page in your passport. The stamp displays the Great Seal of the United States (an eagle), the word "VISA," your photograph, and various text fields. The visa number appears in printed text in the upper right portion of the stamp, above other fields like the visa type and expiration date.

The stamp is typically placed on one of the blank pages toward the middle or back of your passport, not on the biographical information page. Some passports have multiple blank pages, so the visa may not be on the first blank page you encounter. Check every blank page in your passport if you are having trouble locating it.

The color and design of the visa stamp depend on the visa type. A tourist visa (B-1/B-2) looks different from a work visa (H-1B) or student visa (F-1), but all of them contain the visa number in the same location: the upper right corner of the stamp.

How to read the visa number once you find it

Once you locate the visa stamp, the visa number is the eight-digit code printed in the upper right area. It consists only of numbers — no letters. The number is printed in a smaller font than some other text on the stamp, so look carefully at that corner of the label.

Write down the visa number exactly as it appears. Do not add dashes or spaces — the number should be eight consecutive digits. You may need this number for customs forms when you enter the United States, for updating your immigration status, or for contacting US immigration offices about your visa.

What to do if your visa stamp is damaged or the number is not readable

If the visa stamp is damaged, faded, or the number is too worn to read clearly, contact the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa. You will need to provide your passport number and biographical information. The embassy can confirm your visa number from their records and may issue a replacement visa if the stamp is too damaged to use for travel.

Do not attempt to repair or clean the visa stamp yourself. Tampering with a visa can make it invalid for travel. If the number is partially visible, write down what you can see and contact the embassy with that information — they can match it to your file.

Visa number versus other numbers on your passport and visa

Your passport contains several different numbers, and it is straightforward to confuse them. Your passport number is printed on the biographical page (usually page 2 or 3) and is unique to your passport itself. Your visa number is printed on the visa stamp and is unique to that specific visa. If you renew your passport, you get a new passport number, but your old visa number stays with your old passport.

Some visa stamps also display a control number or case number, which is different from the visa number. The visa number is the eight-digit code in the upper right. If you are unsure which number you need for a form or request, read the form instructions carefully — they usually specify "visa number" or "passport number" explicitly.

When you will need your visa number

You will need your visa number when you enter the United States at a port of entry (airport, land border, or seaport). US Customs and Border Protection officers will scan or examine your visa stamp and may ask you to confirm the number. You may also need it if you are updating your immigration status, extending your stay, or contacting a US immigration office about your visa.

Some online forms for visa renewal or status updates also request your visa number. Keep a record of it in a safe place separate from your passport, in case you need to reference it without having your passport available. A photograph of the visa page (with sensitive information like your passport number partially obscured) can serve as a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot find a visa stamp in my passport at all?

If your passport has no visa stamp, you do not have a US visa. You may have a visa waiver status (if you are from a country in the Visa Waiver Program) or you may need to obtain a visa before traveling to the United States. Check the requirements for your country of citizenship on the State Department website.

Is the visa number the same as my passport number?

No. Your passport number is printed on your biographical page and identifies your passport document. Your visa number is printed on the visa stamp and identifies that specific visa. They are separate numbers, and forms will specify which one they need.

Can I look up my visa number online if I cannot find my passport?

The State Department does not provide an online tool to look up visa numbers. You will need to contact the US embassy or consulate that issued your visa with your passport number and biographical information. They can retrieve your visa number from their records.

What if my visa has expired but I still need the number?

An expired visa number is still valid for reference purposes. The eight-digit number on an expired visa stamp does not change. You can use it for immigration records or historical documentation, though you cannot use an expired visa for travel to the United States.

Does a digital or electronic visa have a visa number?

Electronic visas (e-visas) issued by some countries do have visa numbers, but they are not printed on a physical stamp. If you received an e-visa, the number will be in your email confirmation or on the official e-visa document. The United States does not currently issue e-visas; all US visas are physical stamps in your passport.