Reading a U.S. visa stamp is essential for understanding the terms and conditions of your entry into the United States. Here's a detailed guide to help you interpret the various elements of a U.S. visa stamp.
US Visa Stamps: Explained
When you arrive at a US port of entry, a
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will examine your US visa stamp to determine if you should be allowed
into the US. All of the information on the visa stamp must be correct.
You should examine your visa stamp as soon as
you receive it to ensure all of the information on it is accurate. Use the
following guide to learn how to read a US visa stamp:
1. Your
Name – This field will contain
your surname (family name) followed by your given name. It should match the
information on the biometric page of your passport exactly.
2. Issuing
Post Name – This is typically the US embassy or consulate that
granted you the visa.
3. Sex –
The sex printed on your visa stamp should match the sex on your passport.
4. Birthdate –
Once again, this should match the date on your passport exactly.
5. Control
Number – What is a visa control number? It is simply a number
issued by the US Department of State to track visa issuance. In most cases,
this number will not be important to the visa holder.
6. Visa –
If you have a standard passport, you will see an “R” here, which is an
abbreviation for “regular.”
7. Type/Class – This
field indicates the type of visa you’ve been issued. For instance, if you’re
traveling to the US as a visitor, you will see B1/B2 here.
8. Visa
Number – Your visa number is sometimes called a visa foil
number. For newer visa stamps, it will be printed in red, and will contain
either eight numbers, or one letter followed by seven numbers.
9. Visa
Expiration Date – The expiration date on your visa is the
last day you are allowed to seek entry into the US using this visa.
10. Issue
Date – This is the date the US consulate or embassy issued
your visa.
11. Annotation –
This field can include additional information about your visa, if necessary.
For instance, a student entering the US on an F1 student visa may
have their SEVIS number and
school name in this field.
12. Entries –
This is the number of times you are allowed to apply for entry to the US on
this visa. If you see an M here, it means you can seek entry multiple times
with no limit for the period the visa is valid.
13. Passport
Number – This field should match your passport number exactly.
If it does not, you may have difficulty gaining entry into the US.
Understanding
the Terms:
- Visa Validity: The period between the issuance date and
the expiration date. During this time, you can enter the U.S. under the
conditions of your visa type.
- Duration of Stay: Determined by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) officer at the port of entry. This is not stated on the visa stamp
but will be recorded on your Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or in
your passport.
Important
Notes:
- The visa expiration date does not determine the length
of your stay in the U.S.; it only determines the last date you can use the
visa to enter the U.S.
- Always ensure your passport is valid for at least six
months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.
By understanding these elements, you can better
prepare for your travel and ensure compliance with U.S. visa regulation
