Where Is the Visa Number on a B-1/B-2 Card? A Simple Guide
The visa number on a B-1/B-2 card is the eight-character red code at the bottom right of your visa foil. Here's how to find it and what not to confuse it with
The visa number on a B-1/B-2 card is the eight-character red code printed at the bottom right of the visa foil sticker in your passport. If you're looking at your visa right now, you'll see several numbers on the same sticker, and it's easy to grab the wrong one. This article explains exactly where the visa number is, what it looks like, and how it differs from every other number on the foil.
Key takeaways
- The visa number is the eight-character red code at the bottom right of your visa foil sticker.
- "Visa number" and "foil number" mean the same thing.
- The visa number is different from your passport number, control number, and I-94 number.
- Border crossing card (DSP-150) holders find the visa number on the front of the laminated card, not a passport sticker.
- B-1/B-2 holders can't work in the U.S. but can change status if a sponsoring employer files on their behalf.
Where to find the visa number on a B-1/B-2 card
Follow these steps if you're holding your passport and looking for the number:
- Open your passport to the page with the visa foil sticker.
- Look at the bottom right corner of the sticker.
- Find the code printed in red ink. Nothing on the sticker labels it "visa number" - the red color is the only indicator.
- Count eight characters. The number is usually all digits, but it can also be one letter followed by seven digits (for example, A0001234). Both formats are normal.
Your photo appears on the left side of the sticker. Personal details like your name, nationality, and visa category are printed in black text across the center. The red number sits apart from all of that, in the bottom right corner.
B-1/B-2 visa foil number
The B-1/B-2 visa foil number is the same as the visa number. Both terms refer to the identical eight-character red code at the bottom right of your sticker.
The USCIS SAVE Tutorial confirms that the visa number is "also known as the visa foil number." If you've been searching for one term and finding results for the other, you're looking at the same code. Some government forms label the field "visa number" while others use "foil number," but both ask for the same thing. Enter the eight-character red code either way.
Numbers on your B-1/B-2 visa that aren't the visa number
Several numbers appear on a B-1/B-2 visa foil, and only one of them is the visa number. The table below breaks down each identifier so you can tell them apart.
| Number | Characters | Color/location | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa number | 8 characters | Red, bottom right | Your specific visa |
| Passport number | Varies by country | Black, left side of visa | Your passport |
| Control number | 11 digits | Black, on visa | Your DS-160 application (CEAC) |
| I-94 number | 11 characters | Not on visa | Your arrival/departure record (CBP) |
Passport number vs. visa number
Your passport number is printed on the left side of the visa foil, labeled "Passport Number." It identifies the passport booklet itself, not your visa. Both numbers appear on the same sticker, which is the main reason people confuse them. Entering your passport number where a form asks for your visa number will cause a mismatch and could delay your application.
Control number vs. visa number
The control number is an 11-digit code assigned by CEAC (the Consular Electronic Application Center) to track your DS-160 application. It's printed in black ink on the visa foil, and some people call it the "CEAC barcode number."
The control number tracks your application through the consular process, while the visa number identifies the physical visa itself. If a form asks for your visa number and you enter the 11-digit control number instead, the system won't match it to your visa record.
DS-160 application ID vs. visa number
The DS-160 application ID is the confirmation number you received when you submitted your visa application online. It starts with "AA" and is used to schedule your consular interview. It doesn't appear on your visa foil at all.
Once your visa is issued, the DS-160 application ID is no longer the number forms want. When a form asks for your visa number, it wants the eight-character red code on the foil sticker, not the DS-160 ID.
I-94 number vs. visa number
The I-94 is your arrival/departure record: an 11-character number issued by CBP when you enter the U.S. This number doesn't appear anywhere on your visa stamp. Retrieve your current I-94 at the CBP I-94 portal.
B-1/B-2 visa border crossing card number
A border crossing card is a different physical document from the visa stamp in your passport. The DSP-150, also called a BCC, is a laminated credit-card-sized document that serves as both a border crossing card and a B-1/B-2 visa. It's only issued to citizens of Mexico and is valid for 10 years, per the State Department BCC page.
On a BCC, the visa number appears on the front of the laminated card rather than on a sticker inside a passport. The layout is completely different from the visa foil. If you hold a BCC, look at the front of the card for your visa number. If you have a standard B-1/B-2 visa stamp, open your passport to the foil sticker instead.
Using your visa number for a work petition
Your visa number comes up any time an employer files a work visa petition on your behalf. It connects your current B-1/B-2 status to your application file, so getting it right matters. Employers who have sponsored work visas before will have immigration counsel who verifies this information before filing.
Migrate Mate lists employers by their actual LCA filing history, so you can find ones with an established sponsorship track record before you apply.
Thinking about working in the U.S.? Find employers who sponsor work visas.
Search visa-sponsored jobsFrequently asked questions
Does my visa number change when I renew my B-1/B-2?
Yes. Each time USCIS or a U.S. consulate issues a new B-1/B-2 visa, it comes with a new visa number. Your previous visa number is no longer valid once a new visa is issued. If you have stored your visa number in any system (such as a travel profile, I-94 retrieval account, or an employer's HR records), update it after each renewal.
Where is the visa number on a border crossing card?
On a border crossing card (DSP-150), the visa number appears on the front of the laminated card. This is different from a standard B-1/B-2 visa stamp, where the number is on a foil sticker inside your passport. Check which document you have before looking for the number.
Is the visa number the same as the control number?
No. Your visa number is eight characters long and printed in red ink. The control number is 11 digits, printed in black, and tracks your DS-160 application through CEAC. They identify different things and appear in different locations on the visa foil.
How many digits is a B-1/B-2 visa number?
A B-1/B-2 visa number is eight characters long. Most consist entirely of digits, but some visa numbers start with one letter followed by seven digits. Both formats are valid.
Can I use my visa number from an expired passport?
Yes. A valid visa in an expired passport remains usable until the visa's own expiration date, per the State Department visitor page. Carry both your expired passport with the valid visa and your current passport when you travel. If the visa itself has expired, you'll need to reapply.
About the Author
Founder & CEO @ Migrate Mate
I moved from Australia to the United States in 2023. I have had 3 jobs, and 3 different visas. I started Migrate Mate to help people like me find their dream job in the USA & help them get visa sponsorship.
