How to Read a Visa
- First, check to make sure that all of your personal data is correct. ...
- Next, check the type of visa (normally “R” for a regular, personal passport as compared to a diplomatic passport) and the class (e.g., B1/B2, E-1/E-2, F-1, J-1, L-1 or L-2, ...
- Third, the issuance and expiration dates. ...
- Annotation. ...
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.
What do the numbers on a US visa stamp mean?
K) Nationality corresponds to the country of citizenship that issued the passport in which the visa stamp is placed; 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.
How does the visa office determine the number of visas available?
The Visa Office determines the number of visas available so that the Final Action Date is established. The Final Action Date is the priority date of the first documentarily qualified applicant that the NVC could not issue a visa number. Take this as an example.
Where is my visa number on my passport?
Your U.S. visa number is a red number located in the bottom right of your visa. After your visa is approved by a U.S. embassy, the consular officer will stamp or attach the visa on a full page of your passport. The visa contains various information about your immigrant or non-immigrant status. It includes an expiry date, a photo, ...
How do I read my US visa control number?
The visa control number is printed at the top and is a complicated string of letters and numbers. This control number isn't the visa number. The visa number is the only thing printed in red on the visa stamp. Older visas may have the visa number printed at the top, in the center.
Which one is the visa number on US visa?
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.
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 a visa number look like?
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. The visa number is a random string of numbers.
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.
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 B1 B2 foil number?
The B1 B2 foil number is a red number that is printed on the bottom right-hand side of newer U.S. visa documents. It is necessary to provide the 8-digit foil number of the traveler's valid B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa when completing the EVUS application.
What is ten printed in USA visa?
Answer “yes” or “no.” Ten-printed means that you have provided fingerprints of all your fingers, as opposed to only two fingerprints. Has your US visa ever been lost or stolen? If you answer “yes”, you will need to provide the year it was lost or stolen.
Is visa number same as passport number?
U.S. Passport and Visa Number Entry While most U.S. Passport numbers are nine digits and most U.S. visa numbers are eight digits, some are not.
What does the star under U.S. visa mean?
Meaning of the Stars. Hi everybody, The stars below the photo in the USA visa indicates the "RISK" status when entry the United States, which means that if you have more stars, then you will go through more security check when entering the United States.
Is visa number same as passport number?
U.S. Passport and Visa Number Entry While most U.S. Passport numbers are nine digits and most U.S. visa numbers are eight digits, some are not.
Is US visa number same as control number?
The control number on your nonimmigrant visa is located at the top of the visa and isn't the same as the visa number. The control number has more letters and digits in it. This is the number used to track visas.
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.
What is your A number f1?
Key Takeaways. An A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is a 7-9 digit number that USCIS uses to identify immigrants who apply to live in the United States permanently, as well as certain student immigrants.
Where Can I Find My Visa Number?
On virtually all visas (the document or stamp inside your passport), you should see a red number in the bottom right corner of the document.
Where is the visa number on a visa?
In most cases, however, your U.S. visa number will be typed in red ink on the bottom right corner of your document.
What is included in a visa?
It includes an expiry date, a photo, and other information. It also includes a number. When you enter the United States, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials will check your visa and verify the information on that visa. They want to ensure each visa matches each individual seeking entry to the United States.
What does a visa number look like?
Each U.S. visa number is unique. The number itself looks like a random string of numbers. The numbers won’t mean anything to you. However, they will be used to reference your U.S. visa application in the future.
What are annotations in a visa?
Annotations, which can include any additional notes made by U.S. embassy staff to supplement your visa, like the name of your educational institution, your fiancé, your spouse, or your employer
Do visa numbers change based on visa type?
Interestingly, the U.S. visa numbers do not change based on your visa type or other information. There are no similarities between the two K-1 visa numbers, for example, or H-1B visa numbers. All U.S. visa numbers are randomized based on the individual.
Can a CBP officer write down your visa number?
The CBP officer may write down or record various information on your visa into the system, including your visa number. By entering your visa number into the system, the border officer can verify your information. In addition, that information can be recalled at a future date. Each U.S. visa number is unique.
How to Get a US Visa Number?
The US visa number is only given to individuals once they have a visa. So to get a visa number, you must go through the process of applying for a US visa. Depending on which type of visa you want, the application procedures are different. In general, you will have to do the following:
How many characters are in a visa number?
Usually, the number on a US visa contains eight numeric characters. However, it may begin with one letter followed by seven numeric characters. The visa number is a random string of numbers. It does not have any meaning to those who hold it because it is randomly generated.
What does the letter M mean on a visa?
The letter M (Multiple Entries) means you can enter the US multiple times. Issuing Date – when the visa was issued.
Is a K-1 visa different from a H-1B visa?
It is not different depending on the type of the visa. Your K-1 visa number will not have a different format than a H-1B visa number or a F-1 visa number. They will all be random and there is not a specific pattern you can find.
Does the color of a visa change?
The place or color does not change whether it is a nonimmigrant visa number or an immigrant visa number. The example below shows what a US visa looks like. As you can see, most of the information is in black ink. The number in red ink is the visa number. So if you are being asked to show your visa number, you know that you can find it there.
Where is the visa number on a visa?
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.
What is passport number?
A) Passport number corresponds to the number of the passport in which the visa is placed. Foreign nationals should refer back to the photo page of their passport and check that this number matches;
How long is an O-1 visa valid?
For example, if an O-1 visa stamp is issued for four years instead of the three-year validity period on the underlying I-797 approval notice from US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the error can be corrected at a later date in all likelihood. While a conservative approach would dictate that the visa is not valid because it is incorrect, others might argue that foreign nationals may seek admission to the US on this visa stamp, but only for the three-year time frame that the USCIS approval notice is valid. This scenario could create an issue for foreign nationals if they did not know that they were restricted by the three-year validity period of the underlying I-797 approval notice and if they tried to seek admission to the US in the fourth year of the visa stamp validity without having a new underlying I-797 approval notice in place. Rather than relying on the incorrect visa, it is best to get it corrected.
Why is it important to check the visa stamp?
The visa stamp provides the inspecting CBP officer at the port of entry with the information necessary to admit the foreign national to the US under a specified visa status and for a specific period of time. Because admission to the US is tied to the information contained on the visa stamp itself (as well as the petition and approval notice, if any), it is important that foreign nationals carefully review their visa stamps for accuracy. In order to check that all is in order on the visa stamp, foreign nationals must be able to understand their visa stamp.
What is the issuing post for a visa?
C) The issuing post is the US Embassy/Consulate where the visa stamp was issued;
What is the expiration date of a visa?
J) The issuance date is the date the US Embassy/Consulate issued the visa, and the expiration date is the last day that the visa holder may seek entry into the US on this visa stamp. Sometimes, the expiration date may be earlier than the date of the approved petition.
What does R stand for in a passport?
G) For visa type, "R" is an abbreviation for “regular” passport. This is not a visa classification. The letters/numbers to the right of the R (B1/B2) is the visa type/classification;
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.
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 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.
What does M visa mean?
Entries correspond to how many times you can use the visa. ‘M’ means you can use your visa to seek entry for multiple times to enter the USA. 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.
What is a visa swipe?
These are two lines that are computer-generated for machine-reading. When you at any visa counters or anywhere, they will swipe your passport to read info in it. This is used for swiping and reading by machine. It will have your first name, last name, passport numbers, etc to be read by a machine reader.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
A Non-immigrant visa is for temporary travel to the US like visiting for tourism, temporary work, Study, etc. Unlike, the immigrant visa is for someone going to get a green card and become a permanent resident in the US.
What does the star below the photo mean on a visa?
The stars below the photo in the US visa are of no significance. Sometimes, you see one start, sometimes, there are two or more. There are crazy assumptions and theories saying it signifies there a risk of the individual. It is just a security feature of the visa and has no significance . It was shared in past in one of the sessions with US Dept of State, no need to worry, if you see them.
Can a K1 visa be used for multiple people?
If you notice closely, the number of entries show under entries as ‘1’ that indicates a Single entry. A person with this US Visa stamp having entry as ‘1’, can enter the US for once only. Unlike, if you see above examples, they show as ‘M’, which indicates multiple entries. If it is ‘M’, it indicates that the person with such visa can enter the US multiple times using the same visa, as long as it is valid.
Who is entitled to a visa number?
Only persons with a priority date earlier than a final action date are entitled to a visa number.
What is the Department of State's report for visas?
Each month, the Visa Office of the Department of State receives a report for each consular post for allocating visa numbers of categories subject to numerical limitations. Part of this report lists the number of documentarily qualified immigrant visa applicants. There are essential things to remember:
How many immigrant visas are issued in the US each year?
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. government may issue up to 675,000 immigrant visas each year. There are, however, more than that number of applicants every year. In fact, the Department of State or DOS, has over three million immigrant visa applicants in its database. This includes applicants within the U.S. waiting to adjust their status and applicants living outside the U.S. waiting for their interviews at a consular post. The DOS however, issues visas according to the visa categories and the date by which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, receives a specific visa petition.
What is the priority date for visas?
Visa petitions are queued based on the date the USCIS filed and acknowledged them. The date of filing is the “priority date.”
When did the EB3 visas go retrograde?
The USCIS did this to reduce the backlog in July 2007. By reallocating visa numbers, the EB3 category suffered retrogression until the Visa Office made employment preference numbers available in October of that year.
How many visas are there per country?
There is a per-country yearly allocation of 25,620 for immigrant visa numbers.
What is VO visa?
The Visa Office (VO) computes the annual preference and foreign state limitations into monthly allotments. Several factors determine the numbers available for a specific allotment period, including:
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 is the purpose of a visa?
A visa allows a nonimmigrant to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and present themselves to a U.S. Immigration Inspector. The Inspector will ask some questions about their intent for coming to the United States and check to make sure that the nonimmigrant has an appropriate visa. Once admitted, an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record will be created. This indicates which nonimmigrant status they have been admitted to and the amount of time they are allowed to stay.
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
“Nonimmigrant” means a person has no intention of staying in the United States permanently. Visas are obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
Does a visa expire?
Although a visa has an expiration date, it does not determine how long one can remain in the United States. (Remember, a visa is an ENTRY document only.) Once in the United States, there are other factors that determine the allowed length of stay.
Can I transfer my I-20 to UC Berkeley?
Transfer F-1 Students who properly transferred their I-20 to UC Berkeley may continue to use an unexpired F-1 visa from a previous school for travel during their studies at UC Berkeley. Transfer students returning to UC Berkeley after a withdrawal should review the Returning Students page for information about the use of an F-1 visa after withdrawal or leave of absence.
