Read US Visa Stamp

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.

When you are granted a visa by a US embassy or consulate, you will most likely end up with a US visa stamp inside your passport. The US visa stamp is what allows you to apply for admission into the United States at a US port of entry, such as an airport, seaport, or land border crossing. Knowing how to read a US visa stamp is valuable for any visa holder, as inaccurate information could prevent you from being able to enter the US.

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