Your visa foil number is the identifying number printed on the U.S. visa placed in your passport. If a form requests your visa number, start with the red number near the lower right corner of most visa foils, not the control number at the top.
Key Takeaways
- The visa foil number and visa number generally refer to the same identifier printed on a U.S. visa.
- On most visa designs, it is the red number near the lower right corner.
- The visa control number is not the visa number and should not automatically be entered in its place.
- A B1/B2 visa foil number appears in the same general location as the number on other nonimmigrant visa classes.
- The visa number is different from an A-Number, passport number, I-94 number, and DOS case ID.
- Older visa designs may place or format the number differently, so use the color, label, and document context together.
Where Is the U.S. Visa Number Located?
Open the passport containing your U.S. visa and turn to the full-page visa foil. On most current and recent designs, the U.S. visa number location is near the lower right corner. Look for a number printed in red, above the machine-readable lines at the bottom of the visa.
Use this simplified layout to inspect the document from top to bottom:
| Visa Area | Information You May See | Is This the Visa Number? |
|---|---|---|
| Top portion | Issuing post and a longer control number | No, the control number is separate |
| Center | Name, passport number, visa class, nationality, entries, and dates | No |
| Lower portion | Annotations and other visa information | Usually not |
| Lower right | A red number on most visa designs | Yes, this is typically the visa foil number |
| Bottom lines | Machine-readable information | Do not assume a number in these lines is the requested visa number |
Older visas may use a different layout, including placement closer to the upper or central portion of the foil. The number is still commonly distinguished by red printing. Compare the entire visa rather than selecting the first long number you see. An official USCIS visa-number example can help you confirm the field.
What Is a Visa Foil Number?
A visa foil number is a unique identifier assigned to the visa issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate. The term "foil" refers to the physical visa document placed in a passport. You may also see the identifier called a visa number, U.S. visa number, nonimmigrant visa number, or red number.
In common form instructions, "visa foil number" and "visa number" usually identify the same field. The phrase "visa document number" may also be used informally for this number. That phrase is less precise, however, because different forms use "document number" for different records. Always read the form's definitions and examples before entering anything.
The number identifies the visa itself. It does not identify your passport, your admission record, or your overall immigration file. If you later receive a new visa, the new foil has its own identifying number. A visa number also does not establish how long you may remain in the United States. A visa permits you to request admission at a port of entry, while U.S. border officials determine admission and the authorized period of stay.
Do not confuse this printed identifier with the separate concept of immigrant visa availability. Discussions about an immigrant visa number becoming available usually concern eligibility to proceed in a numerically limited immigration category, not where to find the red number on an issued visa.
Is the Control Number the Same as the Visa Number?
No, the visa control number is not the visa number. They are separate identifiers in different locations on the visa and serve different administrative functions.
The control number usually appears near the top of the visa. It is generally a longer combination of characters and may be prominent enough to attract attention first. The visa foil number is usually shorter, printed in red, and positioned near the lower right corner on most recent designs.
| Feature | Visa Foil Number | Visa Control Number |
|---|---|---|
| Typical location | Lower right portion of most visa foils | Near the top of the visa |
| Typical appearance | Red characters | A longer series of letters and numbers |
| What it identifies | The issued visa | A separate administrative record associated with issuance |
| Interchangeable? | No | No |
If a form asks for a visa number, do not enter the control number merely because it is the first number on the page. Check the form's instructions, locate the red number, and copy every character exactly as printed. If the form specifically requests a control number, use the field at the top instead.
This distinction matters because a form may accept an incorrectly formatted entry electronically even when you selected the wrong identifier. A successful submission does not necessarily confirm that you used the correct number.
Finding a B1/B2 Visa Foil Number
A B1/B2 visa foil number is the red visa number printed on the visitor visa in your passport. The B1/B2 classification does not create a separate type of identifying number. B-1 generally covers qualifying temporary business travel, while B-2 generally covers qualifying tourism or visitor purposes. A combined B1/B2 visa displays both classifications in the visa-class field.
To find the number, locate the visa page and confirm that the class field says B1, B2, or B1/B2. Then move toward the lower right corner and look for the red characters above the machine-readable area. Do not use the passport number shown elsewhere on the visa, and do not copy the longer control number at the top.
A search for the number on a "B1/B2 card" can cause confusion. The visa is normally a foil placed on a passport page, not a separate visitor visa card. If your visa is in an expired passport, inspect that passport rather than your current one. Follow applicable travel instructions about carrying an old passport containing a visa.
The general B1/B2 layout follows the same labeling approach used for other nonimmigrant visas. Visa designs can change, so a newer foil may not look identical to an older example. Focus on the red identifying number and its relationship to the labeled fields, rather than background artwork or exact spacing.
Visa Number, A-Number, and DOS Case ID Compared
Immigration documents contain several identifiers that are not interchangeable. Determine which document the form references before copying a number.
| Identifier | What It Relates To | Where You May Find It | Same as Visa Foil Number? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa foil number | A specific issued U.S. visa | Usually in red near the lower right of the visa foil | Yes |
| Visa control number | An administrative record connected with visa issuance | Near the top of the visa | No |
| Passport number | The passport issued by your country | Passport identity page and a labeled field on the visa | No |
| I-94 number | Your U.S. arrival and departure record | Your admission record, rather than the visa-number field | No |
| A-Number | A USCIS-assigned immigration identifier | Certain USCIS documents, permanent resident cards, employment authorization documents, or immigrant visa records | No |
| DOS case ID | A Department of State immigrant visa case | Immigrant visa case documents or Department of State correspondence | No |
An A-Number may appear as "A#," "USCIS Number," or "Registration Number," depending on the document. Not every visa holder has one, and a temporary visitor should not assume that a red visa number is an A-Number. Likewise, a DOS case ID relates to an immigrant visa case and is not the red foil number on a B1/B2 visa.
The exact label controls. When a form requests the visa number, provide the foil number. When it requests an A-Number or DOS case ID, inspect the document named in the instructions.
How to Read the Other Fields on a U.S. Visa
Reading the surrounding fields can confirm that you found the correct document. A nonimmigrant visa generally displays the issuing post, surname, given name, passport number, visa class, nationality, entries, issue date, expiration date, annotations, control number, and machine-readable information.
- Visa class: Identifies the category issued, such as B1/B2, F-1, or H-1B.
- Entries: Indicates the permitted number of applications for entry while the visa remains valid. "M" indicates multiple entries.
- Issue and expiration dates: Show when the visa was issued and the period during which it may generally be presented for admission.
- Annotation: May contain information relevant to the visa category, petitioner, employer, school, or other circumstances.
- Passport number: Identifies the passport containing the visa and is separate from the foil number.
- Machine-readable lines: Allow automated document processing and should not be treated as the visa-number field merely because they contain repeated characters.
If you hold an employment visa, the visa page is only one part of your documentation. The related H-1B visa stamping process involves category-specific documents and procedures.
The visa expiration date is also different from your authorized period of stay. After admission, consult the applicable entry record and immigration documents to determine how long you may remain. Do not calculate your permitted stay solely from the foil's expiration date.
Entering a Visa Document Number on a Form
Copy the visa number exactly as it appears, including any letter that forms part of the number. Visa numbers commonly contain eight characters, but older and current documents may not all use an identical numeric format. Do not add spaces, punctuation, or characters from nearby fields unless the form instructs you to do so.
Review the requested document type before entering the number. A form might separately request your passport number, visa number, country of issuance, most recent I-94 number, or A-Number. Filling every box with the same number can create inconsistent records.
Precise terminology matters throughout legal paperwork. Similar labels do not necessarily describe the same legal item, just as a business license is not the same as an LLC and a fictitious name and DBA must be understood in context. Use the definition supplied by the agency or form rather than relying only on conversational terminology.
If the number is unreadable, conflicts with another immigration record, or leaves you unsure which identifier a filing requests, an immigration attorney can review the visa and related records, identify the relevant number, and advise on the appropriate correction or filing process. You can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace to seek case-specific help, with responses typically arriving within a day.
What to Do If the Number Is Missing or Unreadable
Do not guess at a missing character or substitute the control number. First, place the passport under clear lighting and inspect the lower right portion of the visa. Check whether glare, a passport cover, a border stamp, or ordinary wear is obscuring the red printing.
- Confirm that you are viewing the visa foil, not a passport identity page, admission stamp, or I-94 record.
- Compare the document's layout with an official USCIS or U.S. embassy example for the relevant visa type.
- Review a clear copy of the visa retained with an earlier application, if one is lawfully available to you.
- Read the current instructions for the form you are completing. Some forms explain what to do when requested information is unknown or unavailable.
- If the visa appears damaged or contains incorrect biographical information, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued it for current instructions.
A mismatch does not always mean the visa is invalid. You may simply be comparing different identifiers, such as a foil number and an I-94 number. Compare the field labels and documents before requesting a correction.
If you lost the passport containing the visa, follow current reporting and replacement instructions from the issuing post and relevant government agencies. A photocopy may help document what was issued, but it does not replace the physical visa for travel. Do not alter the foil, write over a faded character, or attempt to repair a damaged passport page yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Control Number the Same as the Visa Number?
No, the control number and visa number are separate identifiers. If an online form rejects the red foil number because of its format, recheck the form instructions before trying the control number. The error may involve character limits, a letter mistaken for a digit, or the wrong document type rather than the number's validity.
What Is a Visa Foil Number?
A visa foil number identifies the individual U.S. visa placed in your passport. The word "foil" describes the physical visa document, so replacing an expired or lost visa generally results in a newly issued foil with its own identifier rather than reusing the old printed number.
Where Is the Visa Number?
The visa number is on the visa page inside the passport in which the visa was issued. If you have renewed your passport, check the older passport that actually contains the visa. Do not rely on the passport's identity page, because the passport number printed there identifies a different document.
How Many Digits Is a Visa Number?
A U.S. visa number commonly consists of eight characters, often all digits, while some visas may contain a letter followed by digits. Treat the complete red sequence as the number and preserve any leading character. If a form imposes a conflicting format, consult that form's current agency instructions instead of deleting characters.
Where Can I Find My Nine-Digit Alien Number?
Your A-Number may appear on certain USCIS documents, a permanent resident card, an employment authorization document, or an immigrant visa record. It may be labeled "A-Number," "A#," "USCIS Number," or "Registration Number." A temporary visitor visa's red foil number should not be treated as an A-Number simply because both are immigration identifiers.
