How to Read a U.S. Visa
- Name. Your given name and surname (family name) should both match exactly what is printed on the biometric page of your...
- Issuing Post. Your visa’s issuing post is generally the location of the U.S. embassy or consulate that granted the visa.
- Sex. The sex should match exactly the type recorded on the passport.
Full Answer
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.
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 to apply for a visa to the United States?
Apply for a visa. The process of applying for a visa will vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Follow the specific instructions for the country that you’re in. In general, you will need: To complete online form DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application form. A photo. A visa application fee.
Where do I find my visa number and PED date?
L) The visa number is a series of red numbers on the lower right hand portion of the visa stamp issued by the Embassy/Consulate. M) Although not on this sample visa, the PED date is an acronym for the petition end date. It is important to note that this may be different from the visa’s expiration date.
How do I read a US 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 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.
Where is visa number written on US visa?
Visa number: the visa number is the eight digit number in red located in the lower right-hand corner.
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.
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 long is B1 visa valid?
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.
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 many numbers is the visa number?
Credit cards that are part of the Visa, Mastercard and Discover payment networks have 16 digits, while those that are part of the American Express payment network have just 15. There are also other numbers on the front or back of your credit card that can be used to authenticate transactions.
What are the 4 types of visas?
Which type of visa do you need? Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
What does 1 star on US visa mean?
If it is 'S' or '1' it means a single entry and you can use it for only one. Also, if it has a number, you will be allowed to use that visa to enter that many numbers of times printed on Visa.
Is B1 B2 multiple entry?
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 is the difference between B1 and B1 B2 visa?
The main difference between a B1 and a B2 visa is that a B1 visa is issued for business reasons and the B2 permit is for tourism purposes to the US. Both of these visas are issued for a period of six months with the possibility of an extension to a year.
Can I work in the USA with a B1 B2 visa?
An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States. There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa.
Can I visit US with B1 B2 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.
Can B1 B2 visa be converted to green card?
As a B-1/B-2 visitor, you could potentially apply for a green card from within the United States, a process known as “adjustment of status” (AOS). You can also apply from your home country using consular processing.
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.
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.
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.
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) .