Key Takeaways
- Your U.S. visa number is usually eight characters, either all digits or one letter followed by seven digits.
- The visa number is printed in red ink in the bottom right corner of your visa stamp, while everything else on the foil is black.
- Each visa stamp or foil has a unique visa number, which identifies that visa, and not you as a person.
- Your U.S. visa number stays tied to that stamp even after you renew your passport. Unless you get a new stamp, your visa number won’t change.
If you’re filling out a form that asks for your visa number, you need to find the red, eight-character code in the lower-right corner of your visa stamp. That’s a unique number assigned to your visa, and it’s used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State to match your forms with your exact visa.
Using the wrong number could cause delays or other issues. Consider that in fiscal year 2024 alone, the State Department issued almost 11 million nonimmigrant visas.
What is a U.S. visa number?
A U.S. visa number, also called a visa foil number, is the unique identification number assigned to the visa foil (the sticker or stamp) placed in your passport. Think of it as a tracking number for your specific visa stamp. It’s not a personal ID number for you.
Your visa number is separate from the other details printed on the foil, such as the issue date, expiration date, and visa class or category (for example B-1/B-2, F-1, or H-1B).
Manifest tip: When a form asks for the number “as it appears on your visa,” enter the red foil number exactly, with no spaces. Mixing it up with the passport number or the long black code along the bottom is a common error that can lead to processing delays.
Where can you find a U.S. visa number?
The visa number is printed in red in the lower-right corner of the visa foil. It is usually eight characters, most often all digits, but sometimes one letter followed by seven digits.
Use these cues to quickly find your visa number:
- It is the only element on the foil printed in red. Everything else is black.
- It sits in the lower-right area of the visa sticker.
- It is not your visa class (such as F-1 or H-1B), and it’s not your passport number.
- It is typically eight characters (e.g.,12345678 or A1234567).
- It is not the long black number that runs along the bottom of the foil; that is the machine-readable zone, not your visa number.
How is the visa number different from your other ID numbers?
A visa document carries several numbers, and not all immigration forms will ask for the same types of numbers. The table below walks through common numbers you may need to enter on forms for USCIS or the State Department:
| Number | What It Identifies | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Visa number (foil number) | The specific visa stamp in your passport | Lower-right of the foil, in red |
| Passport number | Your passport booklet, issued by your country | Left side of the foil, labeled “Passport Number” |
| Alien registration number (A-number) | You as an individual in USCIS records | On USCIS notices and documents, not the visa foil |
| Control number | The visa record at the issuing post | Printed automatically on the foil, separate from the visa number |
If a form rejects what you entered, check that you used the red foil number, not the passport number, the A-number, or the visa class.
What is your visa number used for?
Agencies use your visa number as a reference to match your application or paperwork to the exact visa that was issued.
You are most likely to need it on forms that ask about the visa itself:
- Travel or re-entry documents that ask for visa information
- Replacement or reporting steps if your passport is lost or stolen
- Visa-related forms that request passport and visa details, such as a Form I-485 when applying to adjust status
- Follow-ups where a government agency, school, or employer asks you to confirm the visa tied to your passport
What should you do if you lose your passport or visa?
Report a lost or stolen passport and visa to your local U.S. embassy or consulate right away.
You can still get a replacement even if you do not know the visa number, but if you have a saved copy of your visa page, clearly showing the visa number, it makes the process much easier.
Manifest tip: Keep a copy of your visa page, ideally showing both the visa number and the passport number. Having that copy before you travel is the simplest safeguard against a slow replacement later.
How do you read the rest of your U.S. visa stamp?
A U.S. visa foil packs several fields into a small space. Each one has a fixed place and label, so once you know where to look, the stamp is easy to decode.
| Field | What It Means | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type/class | The visa category, such as B1/B2, F-1, or H-1B | Right side, under “Visa Type/Class” |
| Passport number | The number of your passport booklet | Left side, labeled “Passport Number” |
| Issue date | When the visa was issued | Near the middle, labeled “Issue Date” (example: 01JAN2026) |
| Expiration date | Last day the visa can be used to seek entry into the U.S. | Near the middle, right of the issue date (example: 31DEC2026) |
| Entries | How many times you may seek entry; using a specific number or “M” for multiple entries | Left side, under the passport number |
| Annotations | Extra details, such as a SEVIS number and school for student visas | Toward the bottom-middle of the foil |
Expiration date vs. length of stay: The expiration date on your visa shows how long you can use that visa to seek entry into the country, not how long you can stay once you’re in the country. Your admission period is set separately when you enter and is tracked on your Form I-94.
Get clear answers to your immigration questions
Visa documents are full of codes, dates, and numbers, and it is easy to enter the wrong one on a form. If you want help reading your documents, planning your next immigration step, or avoiding timing mistakes, Manifest Law can complete and file your immigration paperwork.
👉 Request a consultation with Manifest Law for tailored guidance on your visa and immigration next steps.
U.S. visa number FAQs
How do I know if my U.S. visa number is valid?
Your visa number is valid as long as the visa stamp is valid and has not expired. If a form rejects your visa number, confirm that you entered the red foil number, remove any spaces or extra characters. Double-check that the form is not asking for a different number.
When do I receive a U.S. visa number?
You only receive a U.S. visa number after a visa is issued and the stamp is placed in your passport. If your visa has not been approved and printed, you do not have a visa number yet.
Do immigrant and nonimmigrant visa numbers look the same?
Broadly, yes. Most visa numbers are an eight-character red number, though the exact format can vary slightly depending on when and where the visa was issued.
Will my visa number change if I renew my passport?
No. The visa number stays the same since it’s for that specific visa stamp. If you later receive a new visa or a new stamp, the new one will have its own number.
Disclaimer. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it, or contacting Manifest Law through this site, does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law changes frequently, and the information here is current only as of the publication date. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This communication is attorney advertising.
About the Author
Contributing Writer
Carolyn Yang is an urban planner, storyteller, and cultivator of unlikely partnerships. She enjoys translating dense policy language into digestible, actionable information for those seeking to navigate the immigration system.
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Immigration Lawyer to Manifest Law
Ana Gabriela Urizar is an award-winning immigration attorney licensed in Arizona and New York. With nearly a decade of experience, she advises global corporations on complex U.S. immigration matters. Originally from Guatemala, Ana Gabriela previously spent close to ten years at the world’s largest immigration firm, managing business immigration matters for leading technology, science, and financial companies. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Negocios Now’s Tri-State 40 Under 40.
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