Your visa number appears on your actual visa document
Your nonimmigrant visa number is printed on the visa stamp or sticker in your passport. It is an eight-digit number that the U.S. State Department assigns when your visa is issued. You do not need to request it or look it up elsewhere — it is physically on the page where your visa was stamped.
The visa number is different from your passport number, your case number, or your receipt number from a visa process. It belongs only to that specific visa document and changes if you receive a new visa later.
Key Takeaways
- Your nonimmigrant visa number is an eight-digit code printed directly on the visa stamp in your passport.
- The number appears in the upper right corner of the visa page, near other printed details like the visa type and expiration date.
- If your passport is lost or damaged, you can contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued the visa to request the number in writing.
- Your visa number is required for certain forms, employment verification, and when renewing or extending your status in the United States.
How to locate the number on your visa page
Open your passport to the page with your visa stamp. The visa number is printed in the upper right area of the visa, typically in a box or field labeled "Visa Number" or straightforward as a standalone eight-digit code. It appears alongside other details: the visa type (such as H-1B, F-1, or L-1), the issue date, and the expiration date.
The exact position varies slightly depending on when and where your visa was issued, but it is always printed directly on the visa itself in black ink. If you have multiple visas in your passport, each one has its own separate number.
What to do if you cannot find the number
If your passport is damaged, the visa page is worn, or the ink has faded, you may have trouble reading the number clearly. In this case, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued your visa. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, passport number, and the approximate date the visa was issued. The embassy or consulate can confirm the visa number and provide it in writing.
If your passport has been lost or stolen, you will need to report it to your country's passport authority and explore for a replacement passport. Once you have the new passport, the visa number from your old passport is still valid — you do not need a new visa. However, if you need the old visa number for a form or record, the embassy or consulate can still retrieve it from their records.
When you will need your visa number
Your visa number is required on several U.S. government forms and processes. If you are explore for work authorization, filing taxes, or updating your immigration status, you may be asked to provide it. Some employers also request the visa number when verifying your work authorization through the E-Verify system.
If you are renewing your visa, extending your stay, or changing your visa category while in the United States, immigration forms will ask for your current visa number. Keep it readily available if you are working with an immigration attorney or a company immigration department.
Visa number versus other identification numbers
Your visa number is not the same as your passport number, your I-94 arrival/departure record number, or your case number from a visa process. The visa number is specific to the visa document itself and is eight digits long. Your passport number is separate and appears on the biographical page of your passport. Your I-94 number is assigned when you enter the United States and is used to track your arrival and departure.
If a form asks for your "visa number," provide only the eight-digit code from your visa stamp. If it asks for your passport number or I-94 number, those are different fields and require different information.
Keeping your visa number on record
Write down your visa number and store it in a safe place separate from your passport. If your passport is lost or damaged, having the number recorded elsewhere can speed up the process of retrieving it from embassy records. You might also photograph the visa page of your passport and store the image securely in case you need to reference it later.
If you are working in the United States, your employer or immigration department may already have your visa number on file. You can ask them to confirm it if you are unsure or if your visa page is difficult to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my visa number the same as my passport number?
No. Your visa number is an eight-digit code printed on the visa stamp itself. Your passport number is a separate code printed on your passport's biographical page. Forms will specify which one they need.
What if I have multiple visas in my passport?
Each visa has its own separate eight-digit number. If you have more than one visa in your passport, make sure you provide the correct number for the visa type and date the form is asking about.
Can I get my visa number if my passport was lost?
Yes. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued the visa with your full name, date of birth, passport number, and the approximate issue date. They can retrieve the visa number from their records and provide it in writing.
Do I need a new visa number if I renew my passport?
No. Your visa number does not change when you get a new passport. The visa remains valid in your old passport. If you need to use the visa to enter the United States, you must carry both the old passport with the visa and your new passport together.
Where exactly on the visa page is the number located?
The visa number is printed in the upper right area of the visa stamp, typically in a labeled field. The exact position varies by visa type and issue date, but it is always printed directly on the visa itself alongside the issue and expiration dates.