Your Visa Number is printed on the visa foil inside your passport or listed in your country’s official immigration portal, depending on the issuing nation and visa type (e.g., U.S. foil bottom-right, Australia’s ImmiAccount “Visa Grant Number,” UK entry clearance sticker under the DOB field).
What exactly is a visa number for?
Visa numbers are unique tracking codes assigned by immigration authorities to identify your visa type, entry permissions, and validity period, and they vary by country and visa category.
Don’t mix it up with your passport number—it’s a completely different identifier. In the U.S., you’ll spot an 8-digit red number on the visa foil. Australia uses a 9-digit “Visa Grant Number” in ImmiAccount. Get these confused and you might face delays at borders or when renewing. Always verify the format against your destination’s official guidance. Digital visas (like eVisas or QR codes) usually show the number in your online account instead of a physical sticker.
Where do I look for my visa number?
United States
Flip to the visa foil page in your passport—the red-printed 8-digit number (or 1 letter followed by 7 digits) is at the bottom-right corner.
Go straight to the page with your U.S. visa foil—usually the same one as your photo. The number appears in red ink at the bottom right, formatted like 12345678 or A1234567. Border agents and USCIS forms always ask for this. If it’s missing, double-check you’re looking at the foil page, not the ID or photo page. Digital records aren’t standard yet (as of 2026), so the foil is your best bet.
United Kingdom
Check the entry clearance sticker in your passport—the reference number is printed below the date of birth field.
The UK’s entry clearance sticker is typically near your photo page. Look just below the DOB for a code like ABC1234567. Applied online? Log into your UKVCAS account and grab your digital certificate under “My Documents.” This number matters for extensions, travel forms, and proving your status when renting or working in the UK.
Australia
Sign into ImmiAccount, click “View Visa Details,” and copy the “Visa Grant Number” at the top.
ImmiAccount is Australia’s go-to for visa records. After logging in, select “View Visa Details” for any active visa. The Visa Grant Number is a unique 9-digit code (e.g., 123456789) used everywhere—from border checks to renewals. Airlines and the Department of Home Affairs rely on this number to confirm your travel eligibility. Save a screenshot or PDF of the page for easy access later.
New Zealand
Head to Immigration Online, sign in, and open your eVisa record—the “Application Number” is at the top.
New Zealand mostly issues eVisas through Immigration New Zealand. After logging in, open your eVisa record. The Application Number (usually 10–12 digits, like 202601234567) is front and center. Airlines and border officials in Australia and New Zealand often ask for it during check-in or arrival. Keep a digital copy on your phone and a backup in your email.
Canada
Open your passport to the visa sticker—the red-printed visa number is below the expiry date.
The Canadian visa sticker sits near your photo page. The number, in red and 8–10 characters long (e.g., V12345678), is critical for applications, renewals, and work permits. It’s not your passport number, so enter it carefully on official forms. Canada hasn’t fully switched to digital visas yet (as of 2026), so the sticker is still the official source.
United Arab Emirates
Check the top-right corner of the UAE visa sticker in your passport for the 7–9 character “File” number.
The UAE File number (e.g., F12345678) appears at the top-right of the visa sticker. This code handles residency permits, border crossings, and government filings. Need an extension? You’ll use this number in the ICA Smart Services portal. Snap a photo of the sticker and store it in your phone’s secure folder for quick access.
Immigrant Visa (Form I-797)
On Form I-797, the top-left corner shows a 3-letter code followed by 10 digits—your unique USCIS case number.
Form I-797 is USCIS’s way of approving immigration benefits. The case number (e.g., ABC1234567890) is printed in the top-left corner and tracks your application status. You’ll need it for green card renewals, work permits, and adjusting your status. Save a digital copy in your immigration records and email it to yourself as a backup.
My visa number is nowhere to be found—what do I do?
Reach out to the embassy or immigration office directly, or re-download your eVisa through the official portal using your passport and application details.
Checked every page but still stuck? Call the embassy’s visa hotline with your passport number and birth date—they can pull up your record. For eVisas, use the “Forgot Password” or “Retrieve Application” option on the official site to re-download your document. Some countries now issue QR-only visas—scan the code with your phone and save the image as proof. Lost or damaged? Check your country’s website for a replacement service or instructions on getting a duplicate.
How can I keep track of my visa number for future trips?
| Country |
Action |
| United States |
Snap a clear photo of the visa foil before you travel and store it in a password-protected cloud folder or notes app |
| United Kingdom |
Download your digital certificate from UKVCAS and email it to yourself; also screenshot the reference number |
| Australia |
Take a screenshot of the Visa Grant Number from ImmiAccount and save it in a password-protected folder; also export your visa details as a PDF |
| New Zealand |
Save a PDF of your eVisa from Immigration Online and add the Application Number to your travel documents checklist |
| Canada |
Photograph the visa sticker and store the image in a secure cloud folder; also jot down the number in your travel journal or app |
| United Arab Emirates |
Take a photo of the visa sticker and save it in your phone’s secure folder; also note the File number in your travel app |
| All countries |
Set a calendar reminder 30 days before travel to confirm your visa status and number |
Create a “Visa & Travel Docs” folder in your cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive) and label files clearly, like “USA_Visa_Foil_2026.jpg.” Include a text file with the number and expiry date for quick reference. Always verify the number against your documents before booking flights or hotels. If you travel often, a secure password manager with document attachments can keep everything in one place. Honestly, this is the best way to avoid last-minute panic before your trip.
For official guidance on U.S. visa numbers, refer to the U.S. Department of State. For UK visa reference numbers, consult GOV.UK. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs provides details on Visa Grant Numbers at ImmiAccount.
What's the deal with visa numbers?
Visa numbers are government-issued identifiers that differ by country and visa type, and locating them ensures smooth travel and renewals.
Every country handles this differently. The U.S. stamps an 8-digit number in red on the visa foil—sometimes it starts with a letter then seven digits. Over in the UK, you’ll find the reference number tucked under the date of birth on the entry clearance sticker. Australia hands out a 9-digit “Visa Grant Number” through ImmiAccount. Mix up these numbers with your passport or travel document number? Expect headaches at borders or when you try to renew. Always double-check the format against your destination’s official rules—mistakes here slow everything down.
How do I actually find my visa number?
United States
Open your passport to the visa foil and read the red number in the bottom-right corner, which is 8 digits or 1 letter followed by 7 digits.
Flip straight to the page with the U.S. visa foil. The number sits in red ink at the bottom right. It’ll look like 12345678 or A1234567. Border agents and renewal forms ask for this number constantly. Can’t spot it? Make sure you’re staring at the foil page—your photo and ID pages won’t have it.
United Kingdom
Check the entry clearance sticker in your passport under the date of birth field for your reference number or find it in your UKVCAS account under “My Documents.”
Turn to the page with the UK entry clearance sticker. The reference number prints just below the date of birth. Applied online? Log into your UKVCAS account and head to “My Documents” to pull up the digital certificate. Need this for visa extensions or travel declarations? Keep it handy.
Australia
Log into ImmiAccount, click “View Visa Details,” and copy the “Visa Grant Number”, a 9-digit identifier.
Head to ImmiAccount and sign in. Once inside, click “View Visa Details.” Your Visa Grant Number appears at the top—nine digits you’ll use for every Australian visa move and border crossing.
New Zealand
Sign into Immigration Online and open your eVisa record to find the “Application Number” at the top.
Visit Immigration Online and log in. Open your eVisa record and the Application Number stares right back at you at the top. Airlines and border staff in New Zealand and Australia ask for this number when you check in or arrive.
Canada
Look at the visa sticker in your passport below the expiry date for the red-printed visa number.
Open your passport to the Canadian visa sticker. The visa number prints in red below the expiry date. It’s your unique ticket for Canadian visa applications and extensions—don’t confuse it with your passport number.
United Arab Emirates
Check the top-right corner of your UAE entry permit or visa sticker for the 7–9 character “File” number.
Flip to the page with the UAE visa sticker. The File number lives at the top right—something like F12345678. Need it for residency permits, border crossings, or government forms? Keep it close when you apply for extensions or renewals.
Immigrant Visa (Form I-797)
On Form I-797, the top-left corner displays a 3-letter code followed by 10 digits, which is your unique case number.
Open your I-797 approval notice or PDF. The case number sits in the top-left corner—ABC1234567890. USCIS uses this to track your immigration status, and you’ll need it for green card applications and renewals. Save a copy in your immigration files.
I still can’t find my visa number—what now?
Contact the issuing embassy or immigration authority directly or reissue your eVisa through the official portal.
Still drawing a blank? Call the embassy’s visa hotline with your passport number and date of birth—they can pull up your record. Lost your eVisa? Hit “Forgot Password” in your immigration portal and re-download it. Some countries now issue QR-only visas—scan the code with your phone and save the image as proof. Misplaced your physical visa? Check if your country offers a replacement service on their official website.
How can I avoid losing my visa number next time?
| Country | Action |
|---|
| United States | Take a photo of the visa foil before traveling and store it in a password-protected cloud folder |
| United Kingdom | Download your digital certificate from UKVCAS and email it to yourself |
| Australia | Screenshot the Visa Grant Number and save it in your phone’s notes app |
| All countries | Before submitting any visa application, copy the reference number into a travel journal or spreadsheet |
Edited and fact-checked by the TechFactsHub editorial team.
