Where Can I Find My Visa Number?
A visa number is a unique number printed in red on the stamp inside your passport. This number is used to verify that you are the person that you say you are.
This information is recorded into the system by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you are scanned at any border crossing, depot, hotel, or restaurant. It is stored there as a record that can be referenced in the future.
A-Number
Whether you are an immigrant, an F-1 student, a work visa holder, or a DACA recipient, your A-Number is important to know. You will need to use this number to pay your immigration fees, make changes to your application, and to check your case status.
Your A-Number is a seven, eight, or nine digit number issued by USCIS that is used on many documents. It’s also called a “USCIS number” or an “Alien Registration Number.”
You can find your A-Number on a green card, EAD card, immigrant visa stamp, i140 approved i797 form, or work visa i797 C receipt notice. This number is also printed on the back of your permanent resident card (green card).
A-Numbers are not given to everyone who interacts with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and some people have never received one. However, the most common way to get an A-Number is by applying for a permanent resident card, which is commonly referred to as a “green card.”
If you have received an A-Number on your green card, you can use it to pay immigration fees online or at your local USCIS office. You can also use your A-Number on any other official documents that ask for your A-Number, such as your passport or visa stamp.
The A-Number is typically printed in red on your immigration document, such as an immigrant visa, EAD card, or Green Card. It is the nine digit number underneath the letter A, next to your USCIS number.
Another way to find your A-Number is on your immigration forms or your immigration file, which you may be able to obtain through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Your A-Number is listed on your USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout and on your Immigrant Data Summary, both of which are included with your visa packet.
You can also locate your A-Number and DOS Case ID on your Visa stamp or visa foil. You can write down these numbers, or you can get them from your consulate or embassy in the country where you received your visa.
Case Number
Your case number is the 13-digit alpha-numeric number that you can find on your application receipt notice (Form I-797). This number is also called a “receipt number” and it tells you where and when your application was received.
You can use this number to check your National Visa Center case status or track the progress of your application. It will also show you the average processing times for your type of visa application.
It can be found on Form I-797 and will include the letters WAC, EAC, SRC, or LIN. In addition, it will include the first three characters of your case number that indicate the USCIS service center you are working with.
If your case is a nonimmigrant visa, the letters NVC denote the National Visa Center where your case is being processed. They are located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on a closed Air Force base.
The last character of your visa case number indicates the fiscal year you were in when your application was received by USCIS. In this example, 16 denotes that your case was received in 2016.
Once you have your case number, you can check your case status at any time using the USCIS Online System. You can also visit the National Visa Center to track the progress of your case or ask questions about it.
When you have your case number, it is a good idea to keep it on hand. It is essential for paying your immigration fees and becoming a lawful resident in the U.S.
You can use your A-number and DOS Case ID to pay your immigration fees online by visiting the USCIS Electronic Immigration System. You can also use these numbers to track your application status online.
Your A-number and DOS Case ID will appear on your immigrant data summary, a USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, or your immigrant visa stamp/visa foil. It is important to remember your A-number and DOS Case Number so you can pay your immigration fees and become a lawful resident in the U.S.
You can also use your case number to track the progress of your application by using a tracking app like the Lawfully app. The app is free to download, and you can get real-time updates on the status of your NVC case.
Immigrant Visa Number
An Immigrant Visa Number is a unique number printed in red ink on your visa stamp inside your passport that gives you permission to live and work in the United States. It is given to you when you are approved for an immigrant visa through a process that includes USCIS, the Department of State’s National Visa Center, and your consulate or embassy. Once you receive your visa number, you can then apply for permanent resident status to become a green card holder.
You can find your Immigrant Visa Number on a form you received from USCIS when you submitted your immigration application or petition, as well as on an information handout that you will receive at a consular interview. The handout will contain the A-Number and DOS Case ID, as well as other information about your case.
Your Immigrant Visa Number is unique to you, and it can be used to verify your identity if necessary. You can also use it to track your visas in case you need them in the future.
A nonimmigrant visa number is a different kind of visa that allows you to enter the U.S. to visit friends or relatives, study, or work. You may also need a nonimmigrant visa to travel internationally.
Nonimmigrant visa numbers are usually eight digits in length and are red in color. The number is located on the bottom right-hand corner of your visa, as shown in this picture.
This number is important because it helps authorities identify you when you cross the border or when they scan your identification at a USCIS office or hotel, or in any other way. It is also stored in USCIS databases for verification purposes when you apply for other visas in the future.
In some cases, you can search the immigrant database to find your visa number online, and there are also many other resources available for learning more about your immigration status. However, it is best to consult with an attorney before making any major decisions regarding your immigration status.
If you are in the process of applying for an immigrant visa, it is important to keep in mind that the wait time can be years. This is because of the limited number of immigrant visas that are available each year. It also depends on your country’s preference category and priority date, which can impact the amount of time it takes to receive an immigrant visa. The waiting period can be much longer if you are from a country that has a high immigration rate to the U.S.
Visa Bulletin
Visa Bulletin is a monthly report published by the United States government on what immigrant visa numbers are currently available. This information can help you determine if you’re on track for a green card interview appointment and when you can apply for a visa.
The visa bulletin is broken up into two categories: a Dates for Filing chart and an Application Final Action dates chart. Each category has its own cutoff dates. The dates in the “Dates for Filing” chart are when USCIS can accept an adjustment of status green card application based on that specific preference category, and the date in the “Application Final Action” chart is when you need to wait before you can actually file your green card application.
Basically, there are limits on the number of visas that can be given out each year. These limits are called “country caps” and are determined by the total number of people wanting to live in each country.
Because of this, it can be difficult for some countries to get the numbers they need. The demand for green cards in China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines is often much higher than the 7% limit, meaning that visa wait times can be extremely long for citizens of those nations.
For example, in January 2022, the State Department estimated that there would be a maximum of 38,000 visas available for India’s Employment Second (EB2) preference category. But by September of that same year, the number of applications received for EB2 had been significantly higher than expected.
As a result, the State Department has taken corrective actions to keep the EB2 category within the annual limit. As part of this process, a new final action and application filing date has been established for the EB2 category in India for October 2022.
One of the most common reasons for a person to lose a priority date is because they failed to check the visa bulletin before they filed their green card application. The visa bulletin lists the priority date for every person who has a petition in any of the preference categories, and these priority dates indicate where that person is in line to get an immigrant visa.
