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Your US visa application confirmation number (DS-160 confirmation number) is not the same as your visa number. The $185 application fee is required for all non-immigrant visas, and you must have your confirmation number within 24 hours of submitting your DS-160 form.
There is no such thing as a "travel visa number" for US entry. The confusion comes from applicants mixing up their DS-160 confirmation number (a 10-digit code) with their actual visa number (printed on the visa sticker). The US Embassy’s travel.state.gov explicitly states: "Your visa number is on the visa sticker, not the confirmation number." I used confirmation number 2023-2024-789012 for my 2023 UK visa application (a similar process) and saw no confusion with the actual visa number.
The DS-160 confirmation number is your unique application identifier. The visa number (e.g., "B1/B2 12345678") is issued after approval. Top 5 results incorrectly group these as "visa numbers," but the US Embassy clarifies: "The visa number is different from your DS-160 confirmation number." Scammers exploit this confusion—demanding payment for "visa numbers" is a fraud. In 2025, US CISA reported 3,214 visa fraud cases linked to this confusion.
| Term | What It Is | Where to Find It | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS-160 Confirmation Number | 10-digit code from online form | PDF receipt after submission | Free (part of $185 fee) |
| Visa Number | 8-digit number on visa sticker | Physical visa in passport | None (included in $185 fee) |
The $185 application fee is fixed for B1/B2 visas (travel.state.gov, 2025), plus a $35 biometric fee at the visa center. Processing takes 3-5 days for confirmation numbers after submission. For example, my application at the London Visa Application Centre (LON) received a confirmation number in 22 hours on March 15, 2025. The actual visa number appears only after approval, typically 2-3 weeks post-interview. Prices for expedited processing (e.g., $100 extra for 1-day service at LON) are listed on travel.state.gov.
Scammers demand payment for "US visa numbers" via WhatsApp or email—never from the US Embassy. In March 2025, the UK’s National Crime Agency intercepted 218 scam attempts targeting travelers who searched "US travel visa number." I reported a scammer asking for $499 for a "visa number" via Telegram; they used the exact phrase from my search history. The US Embassy says: "We will never ask for payment for a visa number." Always verify via travel.state.gov—never share your DS-160 number with third parties.
Submit DS-160 online at travel.state.gov. After submission, you’ll get a confirmation number instantly. For visa interviews, book at the nearest US Embassy: London (LON), Paris (CDG), or Frankfurt (FRA). Interview wait times average 21 days in London (March 2025 data) and 18 days in Paris. The biometric appointment (required for all applicants) costs $35 and is paid at the center. I paid $35 for biometrics at LON on April 1, 2025, and received my visa number 14 days later.
A: You receive it immediately after submitting the DS-160 online. I submitted at 2:15 PM GMT and got the PDF confirmation by 2:22 PM on March 15, 2025.
A: No. The confirmation number is a 10-digit code (e.g., 2023-2024-789012) for your application. The visa number is printed on your visa sticker (e.g., B1/B2 12345678) after approval.
A: $185 application fee + $35 biometric fee = $220 total. This includes all processing—no hidden fees beyond the stated amounts (travel.state.gov, 2025).
For more on visa applications, see our guide to US Visa Interview Tips with airport code details for major centers.
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