Use the following guide to learn how to read a US visa stamp: A. Your Name – This field will contain your surname (family name) followed by your given name. It should match the information on the biometric page of your passport exactly. B. Issuing Post Name – This is typically the US embassy or consulate that granted you the visa.
Full Answer
What do you need to know about US visas?
U.S. Visas. What is a U.S. Visa? A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
How to read a US visa stamp?
Use the following guide to learn how to read a US visa stamp: A. Your Name – This field will contain your surname (family name) followed by your given name. It should match the information on the biometric page of your passport exactly. B. Issuing Post Name – This is typically the US embassy or consulate that granted you the visa.
Do you need a visa number to enter the US?
Most travelers need a visa and passport to the United States. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of entry will collect your visa number to verify your authorization to enter. The number is temporary if you have a nonimmigrant visa (such as a B-2 visitor or F-1 student visa).
How do I know if my immigrant visa is current?
The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly visa bulletin that lists the priority dates which have become current. In other words, these are the priority dates that now have an immigrant visa available to be claimed. You must review the U.S. Department of State’s visa bulletin to determine if your immigrant petition is current.
How do I read my US visa stamp?
The visa number, also called a visa foil number, is a red number that is generally printed on the bottom right side of newer visa documents. In most cases, the U.S. visa number contains eight numeric characters. In some cases, the number contains one letter followed by seven numeric characters.
How do you read a visa number?
Visa number: the visa number is the eight digit number in red located in the lower right-hand corner. If the visa was issued prior to 2002, the visa will look slightly different than the picture above but the number is located in the same place.
What does B1 B2 mean on US visa?
B1 and B2 visas are generally referred to as “B visas”, and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B2 visa is issued mainly traveling for tourism purposes.
What do the numbers mean on a visa?
The next 5-digits of the IIN represent the specific issuing bank. These digits facilitate the exchange of information for the clearing of a transaction. The IIN for each of the four major networks: Visa uses numbers 2 through 6 as the BIN. Mastercard uses digits 2 and 3, or 2 through 4, 5, or 6.
Where is B1 B2 visa number?
What is a B1/B2 visa foil number? The B1/B2 visa foil number is the red number that appears below the expiration date of the B1/B2 visa. When applying for EVUS it is necessary to have a B1/B2 visa and to enter the foil number on the application.
What does 2 stars in US visa mean?
What do these stars on US visa mean? 1 star: The embassy will probably check emails, phone calls and whereabouts. 2 stars: In addition to your email, phone, and location, you are also tracked by your network activities.
How long can I stay in USA on B1 B2 visa?
6 monthsB visa length of stay B1 and B2 visa holders are allowed to stay in the US for up to 6 months at a time. Each visa application will be assessed on its own merit, and the adjudicating officer may grant a stay of less than 6 months – this is the maximum period for an initial stay under the B classification.
How long is B2 visa valid for?
ten yearsVisa validity In general, the B-2 visa remains valid for up to ten years after it is issued. However, the visa can also be limited to a shorter period of time. The period of validity of the visa is especially dependent on the nationality of the applicant.
How many times can I travel on B1 visa?
Is There a Maximum Number of Trips You Can Make on a B Visa? If you have a B1/B2 visa, you can visit the United States whenever you want to – as long as your passport is valid. The B visa is a multiple entry visa, which means you can use it to enter the United States more than once.
What does M on US visa mean?
multiple”The letters/numbers to the right of the R (B1/B2) is the visa type/classification; H) Under entries, "M" is an abbreviation for “multiple” entries, meaning that the visa holder may seek entry into the US multiple times.
What are the first 4 digits of visa?
Visa starts with 4, a Mastercard is 5 and Discover is 6. Other numbers are used to identify the industry. For instance, 1 and 2 are used for the airline industry. The numeral 3 represents travel and entertainment, so it makes sense that 3 also indicates it's an American Express card.
What does 1001 mean on US visa?
The person is an adult but has no source of Income and is being / will be sponsored by a family member then the number would be 1001 and there will be a whitespace between the two stars.
What is your A number b2 visa?
You can find your A-Number and Department of State (DOS) Case ID on your immigrant data summary, USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, or immigrant visa stamp. Your A-Number is the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers (such as A012345678). Your DOS Case ID is 3 letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers (for example, XYZ0123456789).
What is the non immigrant visa number?
The visa number, also known as the visa foil number, is the red number printed on the bottom right of the visa document. Usually, the number on a US visa contains eight numeric characters. However, it may begin with one letter followed by seven numeric characters.
What is visa number in UK visa?
What is my visa number? Your visa number is listed under your date of birth.
Where is the BCC visa number?
The MRZ on the BCC is on the reverse side and has the same format as the U.S. passport card, but the document number to be used should be the second set of numbers after the Country of Issuance as shown below.
Where to reapply for a visa if it has been damaged?
If your visa has been damaged in any way, you will need to reapply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
When did the Department of State update its immigrant visa application forms?
On May 31, 2019, the Department of State updated its immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms to request additional information, including social media identifiers, from most U.S. visa applicants worldwide. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
What is an indefinite visa?
Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) are tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler’s passport which were valid for ten years. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity Burroughs visas became void. Therefore, if you have an indefinite validity visa you must apply for a new visa for travel to the U.S.
How long does it take to get a visa if it is refused?
The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. Learn more.
What to do if your name has been changed?
If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or a court ordered name change, you will need to obtain a new passport. Once you have a new passport, the Department of State recommends that you apply for a new U.S. visa to make it easier for you to travel to and from the United States. I changed my name.
Can a foreigner enter the US with a visa?
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States port-of entry (generally an airport or land border) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration inspector, provides you an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in your passport. On this admission stamp or paper form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 is very important to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the United States. Review information about Admission on the CBP Website. Also, see Duration of Stay.
Can a temporary visitor stay in the US?
A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the United States, for travel for the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the United States, at port-of-entry.
How to know if your visa is current?
Once you know your priority date and your preference category, proceed to the U.S. State Department's monthly visa bulletin. Select the "Current Visa Bulletin." Forward to "Family-Sponsored Preferences" to see a table similar to the sample below. Find your family preference category and compare your priority date to the date listed. If your priority date comes before the date listed, your immigrant visa is current.
What is the first chart for visa numbers?
The first chart is for “final action dates.” A visa number is actually available if a priority date comes before the date listed in this example chart.
What is the visa bulletin?
The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly visa bulletin. The visa bulletin lets you know when it’s time to claim your green card.
When do visas go backwards?
Generally, the cut-off dates on the visa bulletin move forward in time. But sometimes they go backwards. Visa retrogression occurs when more people apply for a visa in a particular category or country than there are visas available for that month. Retrogression typically occurs toward the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches the annual category, or per-country limitations. Sometimes a priority date that meets the cut-off date one month will not meet the cut-off date the next month. When the new fiscal year begins on October 1, a new supply of visas is made available and usually, but not always, returns the dates to where they were before retrogression.
What does an approved I-130 mean?
The approved I-130 petition means that you’ve established your place in line for a visa, but it is not yet available. In fact, it is the priority date that specifies your specific place in line. You have reached the front of the line when your priority date becomes "current.".
Where is the priority date on an I-130?
The priority date is in the top section of the document . In the example below, a red circle identifies the priority date.
Can I apply for a green card if I have an I-130?
If your I-130 petition is now current, you may apply for permanent residence (green card) in the United States. There are two basic ways to apply for your green card: consular processing or adjustment of status.
How Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?
Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport or land border crossing, and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S.
What Types of Visas Are There?
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of U.S. visas:
Additional Resources
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What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Find out what visa type is appropriate for you
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
A wait time listed as "999 calendar days" indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information.
Where is the visa number on a visa?
The visa number, also called a visa foil number, is a red number that is generally printed on the bottom right side of newer visa documents. In most cases, the U.S. visa number contains eight numeric characters. In some cases, the number contains one letter followed by seven numeric characters.
What is a visa stamp?
visa, the officer likely placed a visa stamp inside your passport. The U.S. visa stamp is the physical document that is placed in your passport by the consular officer.
What is an annotation on a visa?
The annotation may include additional information about your visa. For example, a J-1 visa may have information about the exchange program. Or an F-1 student’s visa may have your SEVIS number and name of your school.
What should my passport name match?
1. Name. Your given name and surname (family name) should both match exactly what is printed on the biometric page of your passport. 2. Issuing Post. Your visa’s issuing post is generally the location of the U.S. embassy or consulate that granted the visa. 3. Sex.
What does M mean in a visa application?
If there is a number here, you may apply for entry to the U.S. that many times. “M” means that you can seek entry multiple times. This is no limit.
What does R stand for in a visa?
For visa, “R” is an abbreviation for “regular” passport.
Where is the control number on a passport?
The date of birth should match exactly the date recorded on the passport. The control number is the upper right corner of the standard U.S. visa stamp is assigned by the Department of State to keep track of visa issuances.
What determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.
What does a consular officer determine when applying for a visa?
When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate. ALL / ALL /.
What is a K visa?
K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé (e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
How long does it take to get an immigrant visa number?
Therefore, there is only a certain amount of “immigrant visa numbers” each year. Even if USCIS approves an I-130 petition, there may be several people waiting for an immigrant visa number already. As a result, it could take several years to get your immigrant visa number.
How many characters are in a visa number?
In most cases, the U.S. visa number contains eight numeric characters. In some cases, the number contains one letter followed by seven numeric characters.
What does "entries" mean on a visa?
Entries – indicates the number of times the visa may be used to enter the U.S. (S for single entry or M for multiple entries)
What determines the type of student visa you need?
Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.
What is an F-1 visa?
F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.
What is ESTA in travel?
Fill out the (ESTA) online application. ESTA determines the eligibility of a visitor to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.
What is transit C visa?
Transit C visa classification is for foreign nationals traveling through the U.S. to another country and stopping briefly in the U.S. as part of their travel to the next foreign destination.
What happens if you violate your work visa?
If you violate the terms of your work visa, it could be revoked. You could be deported, arrested, or denied re-entry into the U.S.
Can an international student apply for a student visa?
An international student can apply for a student or exchange visitor visa only after being accepted by a school certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students’ records are kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Learn more about SEVP and SEVIS, and about the SEVIS fee.
Do you need an authorization to travel under VWP?
If you plan to visit the U.S. under the VWP, you must get an approved travel authorization prior to your trip. Authorization approvals are determined using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) .
