
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the country's naturalization and immigration system. It is a successor to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was dissolved by the Homeland S…
What is the total number of H1B visa holders?
The total number of H1B visas available from 1990 to now is 2,440,000 for all categories and caps including Master’s degree holders. Since the H1B is a 6 year maximum visa, all holders from before 2011 no longer hold them.
How can I Check my H1B visa status?
- WAC–California Service Center (949) 831-8427
- EAC–Vermont Service Center (802) 527-4913
- SRC–Texas Service Center (214) 381-1423
- LIN–Nebraska Service Center (402) 323-7830 H1B Visa Application Tracking and Status Check System – Click Here * you will be directed to the H1B visa application tracking system on the ...
Is H1B visa bad for the USA?
Unfortunately, the H-1B visa is not without its downsides. Work with your immigration attorney to weigh the pros and the cons of this visa class in order to determine if it is the right choice for you. Lottery. The first and greatest drawback of the H-1B visa is the fact that there is an annual limit on how many petitions are approved each year. While other visas also have a limit, they are not as easy to obtain and so that limit is rarely reached.
Who can apply for the H1B visa?
Qualifying fields of employment for the H1B Visa include:
- IT.
- Architecture.
- Engineering.
- Accounting.
- Mathematics.
- Science.
- Medicine.

What is h1 B visa number?
What is an H1B Petition Number? An EAC case number is a 13-digit code assigned to every visa applications, including the H1B. It is broken up into four parts that represent the location, year, day, and case number for each applicant.
Where is your visa number located?
They remain the the bearer's passport after entry. Visa number: the visa number is the eight digit number in red located in the lower right-hand corner.
Is visa number same as a 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.
Where is the visa number on I 797?
The top left-hand corner of Form I-797 is imprinted with a unique number which begins with three letters, followed by 10 digits. This form also contains a description of the action requested and the name of the person or organization which filed the petition, the visa classification approved and the validity dates.
Is h1b a non immigrant visa?
What is the H-1B Visa Category? The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
What is ID number on visa application?
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).
Is a number same as USCIS number?
What Is an Alien Registration Number or “A” Number? “A” number is short for Alien Registration Number. It is a unique seven-, eight-, or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen. The nine-digit USCIS number listed on permanent resident green cards issued after May 10, 2010, is the same as the A-number.
Is i797 a visa?
The I-797 (Notice of Action) is a notice that is issued by the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS) as part of the visa application process for certain visas (e.g., H, L, O). Different I-797 forms are issued.
Where is visa number on UK visa?
What is my visa number? Your visa number is listed under your date of birth.
Which is visa number in Canada visa?
You will find this number in the remarks; section on the bottom right of the Record of Landing document issued to you by a Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada office or by the visa office where you submitted your application. Your Record of Landing number starts with a W; followed by nine numbers.
Where can I find my Australian visa number?
Your visa grant number can be found in your ImmiAccount or in correspondence sent to you from the Department. You can also call our service centre to obtain your visa grant number over the phone.
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.
When does the H1B visa open?
The applications open every year in spring. USCIS approves around 65,000 petitions per year starting from October 1 st to September 30 th of the following year. 6,800 petitions are reserved for H1B1 visas for Chile and Singapore nationals, while the rest for H1B visas. The applications of the first 20 thousand applicants with a master’s degree are exempt from this visa cap.
How much does it cost to get an H1B visa?
Besides the $190 for the H1B application at the embassy additional fees you have to pay for the H1B visa are:
How Long Can I Stay in the US with an H1B Visa?
The H1B visa is initially valid for 3 years but can extend for another 3 years. In total, a person can stay and work in the US for 6 years at most. However, that does not mean that the person must return to their home country. What makes the H1B visa popular is that it is a dual intent visa.
How to Extend the H1B Visa?
The H1B extension procedures are similar to the initial application process. You will need to pay the same fees, except for the Fraud Prevention and Protection Fee. Your employer will also have to follow the same procedures for getting certification from DOL and an approved petition from USCIS. In addition, you will submit these documents:
What is H1B Visa Stamping?
In case you are granted an H1B visa, you need to go on and apply for the H1B visa stamping. This a process on its own, and you should check out the H1B visa stamping article for more details.
How to See My H1B Status Updates?
When your employer submits the H1B visa petition, you will receive a 13-digit receipt number which you can use to check on your H1B status on the USCIS website . The receipt number starts with an “ EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE” and is followed by 10 numbers. Your status could state one of the following:
What is an H1B amendment?
The H1B Amendment requires US employers to file an amended petition in case the employee has any material changes. Material changes are defined as anything that impacts the employee’s eligibility for an H1B visa. The USCIS does not give a list of what qualifies as such a change, but examples include:
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 is an H1B Petition Number?
An EAC case number is a 13-digit code assigned to every visa applications, including the H1B. It is broken up into four parts that represent the location, year, day, and case number for each applicant.
The H1B Case Number: Example
The case number you get after filing a report looks a little something like this: SRC-16–022–57890.
Should You Set Up a USCIS Account?
You can sign up for an account on USCIS’s website before you check your case status. For many people, signing up for an account makes things easier; you can sign in and access your case status and history at any time. In fact, if you have other cases, applications or petitions, you can check them all from one central location – and you can view your entire case history. When you have an account, you can get case updates sent to your email and your phone, too.
How long does it take to get an H1B visa?
While USCIS’ review and determination of your petition may take months, you can monitor your H1B Visa status online, or even check in by phone. There can be delays and an immigration lawyer can help by reviewing the H1B Visa status and possibly get a delayed application progressing again.
What does "case received and receipt" mean?
Case Was Received and Receipt Notice Emailed. This status means that the petition with this case number was chosen from the lottery for premium processing and the case has been filed – and that the attorney or employer has received a confirmation through email.
What is a request for additional evidence?
Request for Additional Evidence Mailed. If you see this notice, it means that the official evaluating your case needs more information to make a decision. The actual request is called a Request for Additional Evidence, or RFE. That request goes to the employer or the attorney on the case, and the request requires a response before a certain date (the date is listed on the RFE). USCIS will not continue processing the case until it receives a response from the employer or the attorney.
What does "application receipt invalid" mean?
Error: Application Receipt Number Invalid. If you enter your receipt number incorrectly, you’ll get this error. You should check your receipt number and try again.
What does it mean when your case is approved?
Case Was Approved. If your application was filed under regular processing, this status means your case was approved and that USCIS has mailed a notice to your employer or attorney.
What does it mean when you see extra fees on USCIS?
If you see this status, it means that the employer or your attorney has filed extra fees that USCIS doesn’t require – and that the fees are being returned to the person who paid them. It doesn’t impact your case, so don’t worry!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 Do I Find My Alien Registration Number?
The back of the green card also contains the alien number.
What is the USCIS case number?
No, these are distinct numbers. Your USCIS case number (also called receipt number) is the one USCIS assigns to your application. The government uses the Alien Registration Number to identify you as a person. The USCIS case number is 13 digits and always starts with 3 letters and then 10 numbers. Your A-number (seven to nine digits) remains the same across your documents, visas, or green cards issued. If you apply for a green card and then apply for citizenship later on, the two applications you fill out will have different USCIS case numbers, but the same A-number will be listed. If you see “USCIS#” or “USCIS number” on documentation that doesn’t use the word “case” after it, then you should use your Alien Registration Number in that instance. As you can see, it can get quite confusing, so we highly recommended trusting your immigration case with an experienced attorney.
What is the USCIS number on my EAD card?
On your Employment Authorization Document, the “USCIS#” is your Alien Registration Number. The section next to “Card#” is your EAD card number.
What is an alien number?
An Alien Registration Number —also referred to as an A-Number—is a seven-to-nine digit number assigned to green card holders by the Department of Homeland Security. Typically, nonimmigrants who are in the United States only temporarily don’t receive Alien Registration Numbers. However, nonimmigrant classes holding employment authorization documents ...
How long does it take to get an alien registration number for marriage?
If you are already married to your U.S. citizen partner, your Alien Registration Number will arrive roughly 30 days after filing the green card application (I-485). If you are married to a green card holder, you need to wait for your I-130 petition to be approved before you file your I-484 (green card application) and wait for your immigrant visa to become available. Your A-number will be sent to you roughly a year into that process.
What to do if you see USCIS number?
If you see “USCIS#” or “USCIS number” on documentation that doesn’t use the word “case” after it, then you should use your Alien Registration Number in that instance. As you can see, it can get quite confusing, so we highly recommended trusting your immigration case with an experienced attorney.
Why do you need a team of immigration experts?
For that reason, and many more, it's highly advised to have a qualified team of immigration experts work on your case to ensure all the proper documents are submitted along with the correct corresponding alien numbers, USCIS case numbers, and other immigration identifiers. We take great pride in our client's successes and ensure that all applications and supporting documents are prepared accurately and filed with USCIS in a timely and efficient manner.
