If you are planning to apply for a US Visa at a US Consulate, you need first to complete the DS-160, then create an account on US Visa Appointment booking websites such as USTravelDocs, USVisaScheduling.com or AIS.USVisa-info websites. As part of that process for H1B, H4, L1, and L2 Visa holders, you would get questions that ask for the petitioner’s name, request number, start date, and expiration date.
If you are new to the process, it can be confusing. In this article, we will review what those details are and how to fill the same as part of the DS-160 or appointment booking websites such as USTravelDocs, USVisaScheduling.com, or AIS.USVisa-info.
Before we get into the details, let’s look into the details of what the USCIS Petition is and how it works.
USCIS Petition Approval Information
In general, before you go for US Visa Stamping for any employment-based visas or their dependent visas, you need to get an approval from USCIS. As part of the US work visa process, the company sponsoring your visa or your spouse’s visa would file a work visa petition (Form I-129) for the principal applicant and need to get approval. You can read the Step by Step guide to H1B Visa process to know more. It is the same process for L1 visa as well.
The work visa (H1B or L1) approval notice from USCIS would contain all information you need to fill out in the DS-160 form or on the appointment booking website.
If you look at a Sample H1B Visa Approval Notice, you will see fields such as listed below and what they mean. You would need this information to complete info during the DS-160 form filling or the US visa appointment booking website.
- Receipt Number: This is the H1B or L1 Visa petition receipt number related to the petition that was filed with USCIS. The same receipt number is on the H1B or L1 Visa receipt notice. This is the same number that is used to track the H1B or L1 Visa petition status on USCIS website.
- Received Date: This is the date USCIS received the H1B or L1 Visa petition package from the employer at the USCIS facility.
- Notice Date: This is the date when the USCIS system generated the H1B or L1 visa approval Notice.
- Petitioner: This is the name of the H1B or L1 Visa Sponsoring Company. It will be the employer’s name filing the H1B or L1 petition on behalf of the applicant or beneficiary.
- Beneficiary: This field would have the name of the H1B or L1 Visa applicant to whom the H1B or L1 visa approval notice is related.
- Valid From and To: The valid from and to dates indicate the starting and ending dates of the H1B or L1 petition approval. Usually, it is up to 3 years or less. Usually, the duration of approval is reflected on the H1B Visa LCA filed for the H1B petition. For L1, there is no LCA, so you would not have that info.
Below is a sample screenshot of an H1B work visa approval notice from USCIS and the relevant fields as explained above. This looks exactly the same for the L1 visa approval notice as well, just that the Class would show as L1.
Now that we understand USCIS work visa petition info let’s look at the questions on DS-160 and then go to the US Visa Appointment Booking website.
What is the Application Receipt/ Petition Number on DS-160?
When you complete DS-160, you will get a question that reads “Application Receipt/ Petition Number” after you select the purpose of the trip to the US as “Temporary Worker(H)” or “Temporary Worker(L)”. It looks like in the screenshot below for various visa types such as H1B, H4, L1, and L2.
You will find the Application Receipt / Petition Number on the H1B or L1 Visa Approval notice under the label “Receipt Number.” The USCIS receipt number on the approval notice is a 13 digit alphanumeric number, that starts with a 3 alphabets like EAC, WAC, IOE, etc. The Approval Notice is nothing but the form that says “I-797 Notice of Action.” .
Application Receipt / Petition Number = Receipt Number on H1B/ L1 Approval Notice
The Application Receipt/ Petition Number for H4 or L2 visa dependents is nothing but the “Receipt Number” on the H1B or L1 Approval notice of the primary applicant (spouse). See the below, where we have highlighted the same on an H1B approval notice (I-797 Notice of Action.
Usually, your employer/ company would share a copy of the approval notice with you. If not, you can ask them the same, and they will provide you with the same.
Petition Details in H1B, L1, H4, L2 Visa Appointment Booking
As part of the US Visa Appointment booking, you must create an account on websites such as USVisaScheduling.com for India, USTravelDocs, or AIS USVisa-info websites for appointment booking outside of India. You will be asked to fill out the petition information below as part of that process. The petition info fields asked will be the same for H1B, H4, L1, or L2 visa holders.
On the USVisaScheduling.com website for India appointments, you will see the below fields:
- Petitioner Name
- Petition Receipt Number
- Petition Start Date
- Petition Expiration Date
On the Portal.USTravelDocs.com website for outside India appointments, you will see the below fields:
- Petitioner’s Name
- Start Date
- Receipt Number
- Expiration Date
The screenshot below shows how the petition information capture screen looks on the USVisaScheduling.com website and Portal.USTravelDocs.com.
What must you fill for Petition Info Fields for H1B or L1 Visa Appointment Booking?
The petition information fields should be filled based on the information on the H1B or L1 Approval Notice(I-797 Notice of Action) from USCIS. Below is what you need to fill in for Petition Information on USVisaScheduling.com for appointment booking in India based on H1B or L1 Approval notice:
- Petitioner Name = Petitioner (name listed under Petitioner on approval notice)
- Petition Receipt Number = Receipt Number (13-digit Number under receipt number)
- Petition Start Date = Valid From Date (Date listed after Valid From).
- Petition Expiration Date = Valid To date ( Date listed after ‘to’).
Below is the screenshot of an H1B/ L1 Approval Notice from USCIS that indicates where to find the above-listed fields on an H1B or L1 Visa Approval Notice.
What must you fill for Petition Info Fields for H4 or L2 Dependent Visa Appointment Booking?
The petition information for the H4 or L2 Dependent is the same as the primary H1B or L1 Visa holder. You must fill in the petition approval information of the primary H1B or L1 Visa holder.
You must fill in the details as they appear on the primary H1B or L1 Visa holder’s I-797 approval notice from USCIS. Check the above screenshot, where we indicate on where to locate the fields.
Note: If you see anything called Petition Request Number for any reason, you can use the Petition Receipt Number in that field. This is a guidance given by the US State Department. See the below screenshot that shows the guidance provided by them at the AILA DOS Liasion Committee Meeting.
The screenshot below shows the Petitioner’s details corresponding to a particular field on the H1B or L1 Approval Notice based on the above guidance by US Department of State.
Below is what you need to fill for Petition Information on Portal.USTravelDocs.com for appointment booking outside India based on H1B or L1 Approval Notice
- Petitioner’s Name = Petitioner (name listed under Petitioner on approval notice)
- Start Date = Valid From Date ( Date listed after Valid From).
- Receipt Number = Receipt Number (13 digit Number under receipt number)
- Expiration Date = Valid To date ( Date listed after ‘to’).
The screenshot above shows where these fields are mapped on the H1B or L1 approval notice.
Common FAQs
You should ask your employer or company who sponsored your H1B or L1 Visa. They will share you the approval notice.
Yes, the petitioner information for H4 dependent applicant is same as the H1B primary applicant. The approval notice for H1B applicant has the details of the same.
There is no way you can get the petitioner information without looking at the approval notice. Only your employer or company can share that information.
You may check the below articles related to US Visa Stamping.
- How to Check US Visa Status Online? CEAC Website, Errors Info
- How many times can I reschedule my US Visa Appointment? India? Others?
- Your Group Size is larger than the Current Allocation – U.S. Visa Error, Fix ?
- Error occurred while loading a Visualforce Page – US Visa Appointment
- Your personal details match the profile which already exists – US Visa Error
- Change US Consulate interview location on DS-160 after Submission?
- User Could not be created – USTravelDocs Error
- US Visa Stamping: Passport Tracking Statuses Meaning, Flow
- Sorry, you have been blocked – USTravelDocs, USVisaScheduling Error, Solution
- Access limitation US Visa Scheduling Error: Reason, Solutions
Hi,
I am applying for an L2 visa (for family) and have mistakenly added petition start and end date based on my original L1 visa application. I have paid the fee and taken the appointment. I need to update the petition start and end date and have raised multiple requests on the US visa portal but have received no resolution.they ask me to start a new application and repay the fee. I want to know –
1. If there is any way to update it online?
2. Would it cause a problem during VAC and consular appointment, leading to rejection?
3. Can I get it updated during my VAC appointment?
AS,
1. No, there is no way. If customer service said no way, then there is no way.
2. Well, hard to say.
3. Well, they update some details, but not sure, if they would do it. The only way to know is to try it out.
You must go with the advice given by the customer service…
Hi.. I filled my husband i 797 valid from to date on petition start and expiration date as per above mentioned screen shot nd paid fee.. but my doubt is in my husband i797 10 days Grace period shown in down in beneficiary slip.. should I renter that date or what? I am confused.
Manasa,
The 10 days grace period is for departing the US, do not worry about that.
Hi ,I have received approved I129 (Petition for a non immigrant worker) am currently in USA, while my dependents received approved I539 (Application to extend/change immigration status) and they are also in USA. We as a family are planning to travel to India and I am filling details in usvisascheduling.com for a US Visa appointment. Now in the forms that I fill, there is place under dependents section, where I need to fill Petition information like Petitioner Name, Petition Receipt Number, Petition Start Date and Petition Expiration Date. In that section what details should I have to fill for my dependents for their H4 Visa. Should I have to fill my (Primary applicant’s) Petitioner Name or my name or my spouse name ? What should be Petition Receipt Number , is it Primary applicant’s receipt number or I539 Petition Receipt Number?
did you find the answer to this?
Hi, Did you find the answer for this ?
Hi,
One of my child is not eligible for drop box as she is 15 years of old now
But me wife and younger kid are eligible.
How can I schedule face to face interview for her.
Is it possible to schedule face to face interview for all of us ?
Thanks
Have you attended interview? How did it go?
I have 2 H1B receipt number from the same employer. My first receipt ends on July 8, 2024 and new starts from July 9, 2024. It is basically the approved extension of my current H1B. I need to travel to India in April, 2024 and I need to fill US VISA scheduling. What should be the receipt number in my situation? Will it be current or future receipt number? Also, what should be start and end date? How can I get the maximum visa stamping on my passport keeping in mind that my current H1B expires on July 8, 2024 and new one expires on July 8, 2027.
I have received approved I129 (Petition for a non immigrant worker) am currently in USA, while my dependents received approved I539 (Application to extend/change immigration status) and they are also in USA. We as a family are planning to travel to India and I am filling details in usvisascheduling.com for a US Visa appointment. Now in the forms that I fill, there is place under dependents section, where I need to fill Petition information like Petitioner Name, Petition Receipt Number, Petition Start Date and Petition Expiration Date. In that section what details should I have to fill for my dependents for their H4 Visa. Should I have to fill my (Primary applicant’s) Petitioner Name or my name or my spouse name ? What should be Petition Receipt Number , is it Primary applicant’s receipt number or I539 Petition Receipt Number ?
Your H1 details need to fill
Hi,
I need some clarification on the petitioner details please.
Im on H1B. Recently i transferred my H1B visa to a new employer.
Mine and wife’s visa with the old employer’s petition, the validity was till April 2026.
My wife H4 was NOT transferred and doesn’t have a stamping.
Now when im booking the dropbox slot separately, which petitioner details should I and my wife fill in. I will fill in the new employers. What about my wife slot, which petitioner’s detail should she fill in, in the profile and DS160.?
Krish,
There is nothing called transfer for H4, so it is irrelevant.
You should enter the current employer where you work with for your wife’s slot as well. Read the article again, it has all the details.
Can I update the Petitioner details in https://www.usvisascheduling.com/ portal after I’ve booked a visa slot? I am waiting for my L1 visa to get approved, however, I want to take a visa date asap. Is this possible?
Hello Dhru,
What did you end up doing,I am in the same situation.I have an existing valid petition,but i want to go on new one.
What did you do? I have similar question? 9293319254 is my contact number, if any solution, appreciate if it can be shared?
My spouse accidentally entered her name in the ‘petitioner name’ section on the ustraveldocs portal. She filled in the correct name (employer name) on the DS-160 form. We paid for the appointment dropbox fees but we have not booked the appointment date yet.
Do you know if it is possible to update the application without paying $205 again?
Dev,
Please call the customer service, they should be able to update it. You will not lose the fee, may need to re-book, if they cannot update it.
Do update how it goes here.
Is there any update on your issue?
Do you have update on your issue
While filling dependent application for scheduling appointment in the new portal, i had selected L1 instead of L2 and booked the appointment. I am unable to change it. Will it be a problem?
However, all information in DS-160 is correct. Will it be an issue?
Hi SDjt, Is it resolved? were you able to update the visa type as L2 for spouse? can you please confirm.
Hi, I am new to H4 Dependent visa application process, I have a question, please help me out.
While selecting the visa category for H4 dependent visa, should I select Non-Immigrant Visa category and then H4 from the drop down? The reason I ask is H4 is shown under temporary worker section in USCIS article, so not sure if dependent and temporary worker can come under same section.
Thank you for help.
Bhargav,
Yes, you are right, it is non-immigrant and then H4. H1B is a non-immigrant visa and also a temporary worker visa type.
my h4 visa stamping is due. this is my third time renewing visa.
i accidentally selected “no” to ” have u been issued us visa before?”
and i was expecting to get a dropbox , but its now asking me to select a visa interview date it seems.
Smita,
You can cancel and restart the application steps. You should see close application on the left hand side, use that to close it and then start over. You should be able to select the right steps. If you are not sure, you can email them as well.
Thanks kumar,
i was able to cancel and restart the application. Does the cancellation mean that the fees paid for the first application is now lost ?
i created new application and was able to successfully get the dropbox option , and i see that it asks for visa fees now. is there any way to use the visa fees paid in the first application or its gone forever?
Smita,
No, Technically, you should not lose your fees paid. Call the customer service or email them on this, they should be able to help you. Do share how it goes here for community benefit.
hi kumar,
i was able to cancel and create a new appointment, answered all questions correctly and got the interview waiver/dropbox option. It did not ask for visa fees again , which is such a relief! thanks for ur assistance. i did not have to call customer care .. no one ever picks up anyway. sometimes they do get back if one creates a request/case/ticket on the website itself.
smitha,
This is awesome. Thanks for confirmation, it helps community!
My visa application is not asking to fill petition number but asking only petitioner name and validity . I submitted and payed as well now should I ask the support team about this issue
IT did not ask for Petitioner receipt number in primary as well as dependant
srinidhi,
interesting. It could be a bug. What visa type was yours? You do not have to worry as it is something on their side. If you are in doubt, you may call them.
Hey srinidhi,
I am having the same issue where tits not asking me for the Petitioner’s number. Just Name and dates. Were you able to resolve this?
Even I’m unable to see the petitioner request number. Did they remove it ?
Any update to it? I am in the same boat.
Same issue.
Or maybe they will pick Petition number from your DS160?
Can someone please confirm?
Same thing for me. Can anyone confirm this?
Hello,
My premium processing for L1A is in progress and while thats ongoing, I was trying to pay fees and schedule an appointment. Me and my family (wife and 11 year old child) already have B1/B2 visa and have travelled to US for leisure last year.
Please advise:
1. If this makes us eligible for interview waiver, of so if we should opt for the same.
2. The site for paying fees and scheduling interview doesn’t allow me to choose dependents if i choose interview waiver.
3. If i choose to go for interview, it doesn’t allow my dependents to choose L2 and by default B1/B2 which they already have.
Your guidance would be highly appreciated.
Jimit,
1. Yes, you should be eligible for dropbox, if you meet all other general conditions. Try the questionnaire, it will tell.
2. It will ask at the end to add dependents. It is similar to H1B, check H1B Dropbox Guide with Screenshots
3. Yes, you can, it will come at the end on the new systems. Check above link of H1B dropbox guide.
Hi Kumar,
Myself (H1-B) and my wife (H4) will need to get our visa stamped. We have separately filled out the DS-160 forms, paid the fees, and are planning to schedule our appointments at the same time.
I’m wondering if we are going to the visa appointment at the same time, do we need to fill out the family application for DS160 or separate applications will still work?
I’m afraid that we may get into receiving a 221g slip.
Appreciate your response.
One thing to clarify. We qualify for the drop-box option. So, we are looking to drop our documents instead of an in-person interview. Not sure if it impacts the DS-160 process.
Thank you!
Ganesh,
There is nothing as one. DS-160 is always seperate for each of them. Not to worry.
I want to book my H1-B visa appointment ahead of filing H1-B visa, i.e. I will not have my Petitioner details except the name of my Petitioner. Is it possible to update the same later in the new portal after booking a visa appointment?
PS: There is a very specific reason that I will have to have the visibility on the visa appointment before I travel and I am fine risking the visa appointment fees. That said, I want to make sure that I can use the same appointment slot by changing the petitioner details (not the Petitioner name but just the number, start/end date. ) under the assumption I get my H1-B.
Thanks
HI,
In case of H4 Visa Appointment Application,
What should be answer to following,
For H4 Visa which has I-797 approved from USCIS,
Answer to following H4 Appointment application Questions –
Petitioner Name : h1b employer name
Petition Request Number : h1b holder I-797 receipt number of I-129 approval
Is this correct ?
Ro,
Yes, that’s correct. You need to use the H1B Holders details.
Hi Ro,
do we have to fill out H1B applicant details in the H4 visa appointment application form (petitioner name & petitioner receipt number)?
Please clarify
I am getting below fields to fill for a L1 VISA Application
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date
What is this Request number, is this same as receipt number?
I have petition receipt number from I797.
I have made a mistake and entered my name in Petitioner name in visa application. DS 160 has correct information.
How can I fix this before my drop box appointment?
Gowri sankar,
You should call them and ask, if they correct it. Also, you can email them as well. Usually they update, if you cannot do and it was a genuine mistake on your side.
Even I have made the same mistake and already opened a case for it. Please do let know, if they updated it for you.
Hey,
What did you end up doing. I’m in the same situation and the customer care people asked me to proceed with the appointment as long as my ds 160 is accurate.
Hi, I have received my L1 petition approval and I am applying for the visa. I would like to apply for my wife’s visa along with mine. I have filled in her details as part of “Purpose of the visit” section as L2. However, I don’t see any section where I can fill in my wife’s passport details. Is this all needed or am I missing something?
Any information on this is truly appreciated.
Girish,
You should ass your spouse as dependent, there it will ask for all the info. It will appear after you go through the wizard and answer questions. You can check H1B Dropbox Guide to get an idea of the flow. It occurs after the main applicant’s info has gone through the wizard.
I am getting below fields to fill for a L2 VISA Application
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date
What would be
Petition Request Number?
I have petition receipt number from I797.
I am trying to book a visa slot for my wife who is on H4 visa. While filling in the application on usvisascheduling, does ‘Petition Request Number’ should be taken from H4’s i-539 form ? whereas the ‘Petitioner Name’ is taken from H1’s i-797 from ?
Kalyan,
It will be the primary applicant’s H1B Approval notice (I-797) form. The reason is that, in fact, you can go for stamping without having H4 approval notice issued by USCIS. In such cases, there is no Petition for such applicants…
Hello
I am in the same boat
My wife has I-797 then we need to provide details of H1?
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date
Hi kalyan,
I am in the same boat so please clarify this for me
Do we have to fill out the H4’s I539 form/receipt number or the H1B primary applicant receipt number?
Hi,
Did you get an answer to this question? For H4 visa application, what did you have to use for the fields below?
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date
Raj,
Read the article again, it is clearly written.