Every US visa holder is required to own, know, and locate their visa numbers without delay. The US visa number, also known as the US Foil number, is an eight-digit random machine-generated number.
They usually begin with one alphabet and are followed by seven other number digits. You receive these numbers when the embassy grants you your United States visa.
Perhaps, you’ve wondered where you can find these numbers on your US visa. Your US visa number is written in red and located at the lower right corner of your visa stamp.
Suppose you are looking at your United States-issued visa now; you’d see those red inked numbers. They stay in that position permanently in all US visas and always appear in red color.
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Where can I find my US visa case number?
Your US visa number is different from your US visa case number. Both numbers are printed on your visa, or you can find your case number on your immigrant data summary or on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigrant fee handout.
Your case number starts with three letters and is followed by either nine or ten-digit numbers. If you hold a diversity immigrant visa, the number of your case number will be four digits, two letters, and five extra numbers.
Who requires a visa number?
The visa number is not specific to anyone or any geographical area? It is meant for everyone who desires to travel to the United States, applies for the visa type, goes through the process, and is granted a visa.
However, those who travel to the United States with a visa waiver program may not need a visa number. That is one reason why you must know the kind of visa or travel document you are eligible for.
When can I not need a US visa number?
Well, you will not need a visa number if you come from anywhere the US government has a visa waiver program. The citizens of these countries can travel and stay in the US for a while without bothering about a visa or a visa number. Their stay usually lasts for about 90 days.
Suppose you are not a Nigerian, you can look up the list and know if there’s a US visa waiver program going on in your country. As for Nigerian citizens, they all need to apply for a visa and get the number before visiting the United States.
How do I get my US visa number?
Getting your visa number comes with a process which is applying for a US visa. However, the process of getting it from an online application differs from when you go through the Visa Application Centers or embassy.
The general process of US visa application goes as follows:
- Know the type of US visa you wish to apply for
- Visit the US website to know what documents you need to have
- Gather all the relevant documents
- Correctly fill out the specific visa application form
- Pay your visa fee
- Visit the nearest embassy and schedule an appointment
- Submit your documents
- Go for your biometrics
- Attend your interview on time
After going through this process of visa application, the embassy will approve it and stamp your international passport with your specific visa type. That visa stamp will carry your visa number, which stays relevant till your visa expires.
The only time a US visa number stays permanent is when it is an immigrant visa which comes with a Green Card.
What is the use of the visa number?
The visa number for the US is a very important part of your travel process to the United States. Some of your documents may need to have the visa number on them.
More so, the Customs and Border Protection authorities will require the number when you enter the country. This number stays unique to everyone holding a US visa, both the immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders, because this is one way to check if the passport holder matches the details on the system.
The authorities use the number to verify and track your personal information. Everything about your travel and stay in the US can be found through the number.
Meanwhile, temporary visa holders who came to the US to resume or take up their employment must show their visa numbers during documentation at their new workplace. The same rule applies to students coming to study in the US.
Before the school gets you registered and makes you their full student, you must include your visa number in some documents. So a lot of important things are tied to that number before and during your stay in the United States of America.
Also Read: How to Apply for f1 Visa in Nigeria?
What other information is on the US visa?
Aside from your visa number, there is other very crucial information that you can find on your visa. I will list them out.
- Your passport number
- First and last name
- Nationality
- Issuing port name, which is the Embassy location where you did your application
- Visa types like H1b visa, H2b visa, student visa, and the likes
- Sex
- Birth date
- The date the embassy issued the visa
- Additional information from the embassy, depending on your visa type
- Entries information which shows the number of times you are permitted to enter the US. For example, a multiple entry visa will show M, a Double entry visa will show D, and a Single entry visa will show S.
- Expiry date, which is the length of your visa validity to enter or stay in the United States of America
Can the embassy deny me a visa number?
Denying you a visa is automatically not giving you a visa number. This can be frustrating, especially after the whole stress and struggles of the application process.
If you are lucky enough, the embassy will inform you why you were denied a visa. Remember that a denial is only a temporary setback. Therefore, pick up yourself once again, identify where the fault came from, fix it up, and reapply again. Possibly, at a different embassy.
Read Next: How Much is American Visa Fee in Nigeria?